A survey of CEOs at some major U.S. corporations say they expect the economy to improve over the next six months due to higher sales and capital spending but that hiring will remain flat.
The 2013 first quarter CEO Economic Survey by the Business Roundtable show that this is the first time economic expectations have increased in the last four quarters. The CEOs expect a 2.1 percent growth for 2013, a slight increase from last quarter’s estimate of 2.0 percent.
“CEOs foresee somewhat better economic performance for the next six months, with improved expectations for sales and capital expenditures,” said Jim McNerney, chairman of the Business Roundtable and Chairman, President and CEO of the Boeing Company.
“The relatively smaller improvement in the outlook for hiring, however, may reflect ongoing uncertainty and a wait-and-see attitude about the business climate in the United States, as agreement on the nation’s debt and budgetary issues remains elusive.. “
Business Roundtable’s CEO Economic Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly since the third quarter of 2002, provides a forward-looking view of the economy by BRT member CEOs.
The survey was completed between February 11 and March 1, 2013. Responses were received from 144 member CEOs.
