The Chicago Business Barometer for January came in at 55.6, a higher reading than analysts had forecast, according to data provider FactSet.

NPR: Stocks Drift Lower, Paring January Gains

The BCC's survey, which it calls the EU Business Barometer, is the first major one of British business since the prime minister's policy speech on Europe.

BBC: Brussels

Separately, a rise in new orders boosted the Chicago Business Barometer, a gauge of the U.S. manufacturing sector, to its highest level since March 2012, also trumping expectations.

WSJ: European Stocks Post Ninth Monthly Gain

On Friday, the Bank of Scotland's business barometer showed the balance of companies enjoying rising revenue, when set against those with falling revenue, was at its best for three years.

BBC: Stands Scotland's economy where it did?

Interest rates provide a barometer for business investments.

FORBES: Why The Recession Recovery Remains Anemic

However, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in business is still tenuous, with nearly 70% of respondents saying that business and financial companies will revert to old habits when the financial crisis is over.

FORBES: What's Your Return on Integrity?

The Ifo barometer, a measure of business confidence in Germany, rose in July for the third month running.

ECONOMIST: An ocean apart | The

The lack of trust in leaders - whether voted in through general elections or by companies' supervisory boards - appears to contrast sharply with the way the public's trust in NGOs, in business and even the media has increased during the last year, according to the barometer.

BBC: Davos 2013: Leaders fail to inspire trust

More than four in five of the general public would expect a business leader to lie when confronted with a difficult issue, according to the PR firm's trust barometer.

BBC: Davos 2013: Leaders fail to inspire trust