Business confidence slipped slightly in August.

The Conference Board’s index of executive confidence in the economy fell in the third quarter, reflecting a lower appraisal of current and future economic conditions. Only about one-third of the 1,000 executives surveyed said they expect improved business conditions in the next six months. The Conference Board’s measure of business confidence dropped to 51 on a scale of 100 for the third quarter, a point lower than in the second quarter.