Optimism Among U.S. Chief Executives Surpasses Pre-Slump High

[dkf]

Optimism among U.S. chief executive officers surpassed the highest level reached before the recession as more business leaders projected increased sales, investment and hiring, a survey showed.

The Business Roundtable’s economic outlook index increased to 113 in the first quarter, the highest point since records began in 2002, from 101 in the previous three months, the Washington-based group said today. Readings greater than 50 coincide with an economic expansion. The previous peak was 104 in the first three months of 2005.

“Companies have given strong signals about their willingness to expand,” Ivan G. Seidenberg, chairman of the Business Roundtable and chief executive officer of New York- based Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), said in a press conference. “As we keep a steady flow of capital investment, we’ll certainly see sales forecasts go up, and as we do that we’ll start to see hiring.”

Fifty-two percent of CEOs said they will add to payrolls, up from 45 percent in the fourth quarter and the largest share on record. Some 62 percent of executives said they plan to spend more on equipment, up from 59 percent, the survey showed.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-30/optimism-among-u-s-chief-executives-surpasses-pre-slump-high.html

[sinkingfeeling]

1. They're just so happy to see the GOP meeting their demands all over the country, they don't know

what to do.

[dkf]

3. Well we need them to start hiring and ordering more equipment.

It's all about jobs.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Salivating at the thought of Destroying the Middle Class

[On the Road]

4. Despite the Snarky Comments,

this is really, really good news.

[Scurrilous]

5. K & R

:thumbsup: