Business leaders are shaking off their economic uneasiness, according to data from the Business Roundtable’s quarterly gauge of CEO sentiment, with the index increasing by 11 points in the first quarter of the year. This indicates that more CEOs are ready to increase capital spending and have stronger expectations for company sales compared to the prior quarter.
“This quarter’s survey results underscore the resiliency of the U.S. economy and suggest accelerating economic activity over the next six months,” said Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins, who chairs the Business Roundtable, a lobbying group.
Additionally, the sub-index for capital spending over the next six months increased by 16 points, while the sub-index for sales saw a 13-point gain. CEOs’ plans for hiring, however, increased much more moderately at just 5 points.
CEOs do have concerns, however, with 75% of those surveyed citing wariness of future regulations on free enterprise. Many are worried about excessive regulation and overreaching antitrust actions, said BRT CEO Joshua Bolton.
