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Small business owners are optimistic about the U.S. economy in 2008, according to a survey released Monday by The Alternative Board.

Nearly 57 percent of respondents said they planned to add employees in 2008, according to a poll of members of the Denver-based Alternative Board's 330 boards. More than 1,000 small business owners across the nation responded, a spokeswoman said.

Nearly 40 percent of respondents said their head count would remain the same, while just under 4 percent said they would trim jobs.

Nearly 73 percent forecast greater profitability in 2008, while almost 18 percent said they expected to stay the same and 9.3 percent forecast lower profits.

Nearly 61 percent said they would increase their capital spending in 2008, while 28.2 percent said spending would remain the same and 10.4 percent said they would spend less.

The poll has a 4 percent margin of error, the spokeswoman said.