A key measure of U.S. business sentiment improved sharply in September, a lender group told Reuters Monday, as companies raised their investment in equipment and software and did a better job of staying current on their debts.

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association said that U.S. businesses originated $5.8 billion in loans, leases and lines of credit last month to invest in capital equipment, which can include everything from tool-and-die machines and delivery trucks to office furniture and computer hardware and software. Get the full story »