VANCOUVER — The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports that a few more B.C. business owners foresee happier economic times ahead.

After a very gloomy fourth quarter in 2008, the most recent CFIB survey shows that 27 percent of small-and medium-sized businesses in the province said they expect their company to perform better in the next 12 months.

B.C.’s business barometer in March, therefore, stands at 85.5 up from 82.9 in December.

Still, businesses were generally more optimistic last year at this time with a reading of 107.7. And even now, despite the small up tick in optimism, 48 percent of respondents continue to expect things to get worse.

The most pessimistic are trucking companies, commercial equipment rental and auto dealers; while electronics, health and hobbies businesses — no doubt counting on more people staying home to save money — had the brightest outlook.