Business executives foresee sales and profits improvement in the three months to December, according to the Dun & Bradstreet final business survey released on Tuesday.

Selling price expectations, however, slumped and capital investment outlook was unchanged.

The report said, "Sales and profits expectations, two key indicators of business strength, have risen substantially since the previous quarter, demonstrating that business confidence is improving as year end approaches."

"Inventories are also expected to increase as firms foresee a need to replenish stocks to keep up with demand.

"However, firms are less optimistic about the need to take on new staff."

The survey revealed mixed sales expectations, with 41 per cent of companies forecasting a rise in the December quarter, while 16 per cent were predicting a decline.

Only 4 per cent of executives intend to slash capital expenditure investments, while 17 per cent considers increasing spending in this area.

Although 19 per cent of executives plan to increase inventories, 11 per cent intend to cut stock levels.

The data also showed 9 per cent of companies expected to grow staff levels, but 6 per cent planned to decrease employees.

There had been a significant turnaround in the expectations of Australia's executives since the previous quarter, according to Dun & Bradstreet chief executive Christine Christian.

"Six key indicators of business strength tumbled during the previous quarter, with the sales indicator in particular taking a significant dive," she said.

"However, the latest survey shows a significant turnaround in confidence and expectations as we head towards the December quarter."

She said the results of the survey "signal that there is still a way to go before we return to the overall levels of confidence and prosperity that existed prior to the onset of the global financial crisis."