The optimism in future economic growth remains steady with small businesses in the U.S., according to MerchantCircle’s latest quarterly Merchant Confidence Index, which surveys local business owners across the country on the economic climate.

The study surveyed 5,000 local merchants and addressed merchants’ confidence in the economy, expectations for future growth and profit, and plans for marketing and hiring. The MCI for the quarter was 63.2, close to last quarter’s 63.5 that was driven by a successful 2010 holiday season.

Darren Waddell, Vice President of Marketing at MerchantCircle said that the optimism was apparent yet cautious as hiring is in decline and recent reports show slowed economic growth.

With unemployment claims remaining high for 8 straight weeks, and consumers still wary on spending with high gas prices and natural disasters plaguing the country, business owners have reason to remain cautious.

The Merchant Confidence Index reports 57 percent of small business owners expect revenue to either improve or slightly improve by the end of summer, and 90 percent of merchants plan to maintain or add jobs to their businesses over the next three months.

Merchants abroad anticipate a steady year as well. According to the Travelex Confidence Index from last month, which surveys UK businesses that trade abroad, the index was up by 5 points to 111, showing a rising confidence in international trade.

The Travelex Confidence Index found 68 percent of importers and exporters were confident that international trade conditions will improve in 2011, and 74 percent were confident global trade will grow within six to 12 months.

David Sear, Global Managing Director at Travelex Global Business Payments, said that exports hitting record high numbers in the first quarter provided small businesses that trade internationally with a boost of confidence.

“It suggests that trade made a strong contribution to first quarter GDP growth,” said Sear.

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