CEOs less optimistic about the U.S. economy

9/18/2013

NEW YORK — A new survey shows U.S. CEOs are less optimistic about the economy’s prospects for the next six months. The survey indicates that disagreements over the 2014 budget in Washington are making them cautious about hiring.

The Business Roundtable’s index, which surveys CEOs about their outlook for the economy, fell to 79.1 in the third quarter from 84.3 in the previous quarter. Any reading above 50 suggests expansion.

The Business Roundtable says that 32 percent of its CEOs surveyed expect to increase hiring in the next six months. That percentage is unchanged from the survey in the previous quarter. Forty-four percent say that there will be no change in their hiring plans, while 24 percent say they expect to decrease hiring.

The survey results are based on 134 responses received between Aug. 16 and Sept. 6.