Businesses more optimistic about sales, hiring in next 12 months: survey.

Bank of Canada Ottawa.

OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada says business sentiment is improving in Canada, with 61 per cent expecting an increase in sales over the next 12 months.

The central bank’s quarterly outlook of business conditions show growing optimism among senior managers after one of the worst years on record.

A record number - 69 per cent - report that sales have dropped in the past year.

But for the next year, businesses expect conditions to improve, the first positive reading for the central bank’s report since the third quarter of 2008.

As well, 39 per cent of the 100 businesses surveyed in June said they expect to add employees over the next 12 months, as opposed to only 17 per cent who say they think they will shed workers.

In a separate survey of senior loan officers, the bank found that lending conditions continued tightening in the second quarter ended June 30