Small and medium business (SMB) confidence has risen by six points in Victoria, achieving a net balance of +49 according to the latest Sensis Business Index (SBI) survey. This is a healthy seven points above the national average and six points ahead of NSW. Confidence in Melbourne was 7 points higher at +49 – two points above the national metropolitan average. Confidence in regional Victoria was also up two points to +48. This is 14 points above the national regional average. Sensis CEO, John Allan said: “SMBs in Victoria identified a number of factors that are contributing to the state’s business confidence. The key performance indicators of sales, workforce, wages, prices, and profitability all recorded strong growth, demonstrating business confidence across these areas. And encouragingly Victorian businesses are also anticipating strong growth in these areas for the next three months.”