According to a Wells Fargo-Gallup small business survey conducted July 9-13 with a random sample of 600 U.S. small-business owners, at least seven in 10 say a better sales outlook, more certainty about their operating environment, and lower federal taxes would make their companies more likely to make capital investments in the next 12 months.

Overall, 41% of U.S. small-business owners expect to make capital investments over the next 12 months. That compares with 53% who say they have made capital investments over the past 12 months.

The report notes that the state of the economy was the top issue for those not intending to make capital investments with 63% saying that are too concerned about the overall state of the economy to do so.

To read the Gallup news release, click here.