For the first time in three years, a majority of CEOs participating in a leading survey say they’re optimistic about the U.S. economy’s prospects. And for the first time in two years, a majority plan to add staffers over the next 12 months.
Those are some of the results of the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Private Company Trendsetter Barometer. The poll indicated that 51% of the CEOs were feeling good about economic prospects, and 53% were planning to expand their workforces.
Private companies with international operations were slightly more optimistic than their domestic-only counterparts about prospects for the U.S. economy over the next 12 months (53% and 49%, respectively).
Overall, more than three-quarters (77%) said they expected positive revenue growth over the next 12 months, with 38% expecting double-digit growth and 39% expecting single-digit growth. Only 5% said the thought revenues would fall.
The 53% of CEOs who said they were planning to add workers was a six-point jump from the prior quarter and a 22-point increase over the results of a similar poll in early 2009.
For full results of the PriceWaterhouse poll, go here.
