The U.S. small-business optimism rose for the third straight month in November, signaling economy remained on track, reported a leading business association Tuesday.

The Small-Business Optimism Index gained 1.8 points in November to 92.0, according to a report by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The gauge averaged 88.6 in the 18- month recession that officially ended in June 2009.

November's reading indicated some hope on the horizon. Eight out of ten index components improved or remained unchanged. Expectations for real sales gains and the outlook for business conditions improved most notably.

But the fresh figure was 2 points below January's index, "which means that there has been no progress over the calendar year," said NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg.

Small businesses, accounting for 99 percent of the overall companies, are a major drive of the U.S. economy and hold half of the country's labor force.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet