Business Roundtable (03/28/2012)

Business Roundtable’s first-quarter CEO Economic Outlook Survey indicates an increase in expectations for sales, capital spending, and hiring during the next six months, with the CEO Economic Outlook Survey Index rising to 96.9 in the first quarter from 77.9 in the fourth quarter of 2011. In terms of employment changes during the next six months, 42% of chief executives expect an increase, up from 35% in the fourth quarter. Another 43% of respondents anticipate no changes in employment, up slightly from 42%, and 16% expect employment to decrease, down from 24%. Jim McNerney, chairman of Business Roundtable, says oil prices, political uncertainty in the U.S., and economic weakness in Europe are among factors that could hinder U.S. economic growth.