Owners of small businesses say they are more optimistic at the beginning of this year than they were last November and December, according to the Business Barometer Index of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Having risen 3 points in January (to reach 65.7), entrepreneurs who are envisaging the best results outnumber those who expect weaker results. The level of optimism is higher in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan. With regards to the industries, the sectors of business, finance and information services have the best results. Finally, 27% of the 1,000 survey respondents intend to hire additional full time staff in the next few months and 44% of them believe that their business health is good.