Fewer US CEOs expect hiring dip over next 6 months
WASHINGTON (AP) ? A survey of U.S. chief executives shows the number of large companies that plan to add jobs or hire more workers is essentially unchanged versus three months ago, although fewer expect hiring to decrease.
The Business Roundtable said Wednesday that 29 percent of its member CEOs plan to increase hiring over the next six months, the same as in September when the group released its previous quarterly survey.
But only 29 percent expect hiring to decrease versus 34 percent in the previous report.
CEOs are slightly more pessimistic about their future sales, capital spending and the overall U.S. economy, amid uncertainty over the impact of budget cuts and tax increases that are set to take effect at the start of next year.
CEOs are worried about the pending U.S. budget changes, known as the "fiscal cliff."
"The past quarter's survey results reflect continued uncertainty of business leaders surrounding the ability of our political leaders to reach a principled compromise for resolving the fiscal cliff and related deficit and debt issues," Jim McNerney, chairman of the Roundtable and CEO of The Boeing Co., said during a conference call with reporters.
"We will grow faster next year and the year after if we resolve this thing than we will if we don't," he added.
Continue reading...