WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following are highlights from the U.S.
Business Roundtable’s first quarter 2012 CEO Economic Outlook Survey
published Wednesday:
The Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Survey Index — a
composite index of CEO expectations for the next six months of sales,
capital spending and employment — increased notably to 96.9 in the
first quarter of 2012, from 77.9 in the fourth quarter of 2011, which
represents one of the sharpest increases recorded.
Business Roundtable’s CEO Economic Outlook Survey, conducted
quarterly since the fourth quarter of 2002, provides a forward-looking
view of the economy by BRT member CEOs.
The survey was completed between March 1 and March 19 and responses
were received from 128 member CEOs.
The results of Business Roundtable’s first quarter CEO Economic
Outlook Survey for 2012 show an upturn in expectations for sales,
capital spending and hiring for the next six months.
The survey’s key findings from the first quarter of 2012 include:
Q: How do you expect your company’s sales to change in the next six
months?
Increase: 81%
No Change: 16 %
Decrease: 3%
This represents a 12% increase in projected sales in next six
months over last quarter’s survey.
Q: How do you expect your company’s U.S. capital spending to change
in the next six months?
Increase: 48%
No Change: 41%
Decrease: 11%
This represents at 16% increase in projected capital spending in
next six months over last quarter’s survey.
Q: How do you expect your company’s U.S. employment to change in
the next six months?
Increase: 42%
No Change 43%
Decrease: 16%
This represents a 7% increase in hiring expectations in next six
months over last quarter’s survey.
** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
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