Small-business owners say they feel the most optimistic since July 2008, according to the latest findings from the Wells Fargo and Gallup Small-Business Index.

The survey now stands at positive 15 for January as opposed to minus three in October after two previous readings of zero, which is neither optimistic nor pessimistic. Among the respondents, 49 percent say they believe revenues are to increase, up from 37 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. Sixty-three percent of respondents say they expect their financial situations to be very or somewhat good over the next 12 months, an increase from 55 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Regarding hiring, 22 percent of respondents say they plan to add jobs, up from 15 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, while 8 percent of respondents say they expect to decrease the number of jobs, down from 13 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. Another 53 percent of respondents say they expect their cash flow to be very or somewhat good, representing a jump from 48 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011.