The business outlook for small- and medium-sized enterprises(SME) in the country has improved for the first time in four months.

The Korea Federation of SMEs said Tuesday the Small Business Health Index(SBHI) rose five points to 90-point-one for the month of September based on a recent survey of over three-thousand small and medium companies.

An index above 100 means that firms with a positive outlook on next month's business conditions outnumber the pessimists.

The federation said the index for September improved owing to expectations on the government's pump-priming measures including a supplementary budget, despite lingering uncertainties at home and abroad.

Economic effects expected to be generated from the Chuseok holiday are also believed to have contributed to the improved sentiment. 

The index had fallen for three months since June.