Owners of Alberta's small and mid-sized businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy and their business’ future.

The latest ATB Business Index, which measures Alberta business owners’ confidence in their own operations, measured the highest the index has been since the fourth quarter of 2014.

That's when energy prices started to decline.

It’s also the largest quarterly increase in the ATB Business Index since its inception in 2013.

Meanwhile, the ATB Economy Index, which measures Alberta business owners’ confidence in the Alberta economy, registered its highest result since the third quarter of 2014. That represents the largest-ever quarterly increase in the ATB Economy Index.

More than seven in ten Alberta business owners believe the province’s economy will be better off or the same six months from now, while eight in ten business owners believe their company will be better off or the same six months from now.

“Confidence continues to be directly linked to the price of oil,” said Teresa Clouston, ATB’s Executive Vice-President, Business & Agriculture.