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LeadershipU.S. economy

CEOs Are Really Optimistic About the Economy

By
Madeline Farber
Madeline Farber
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By
Madeline Farber
Madeline Farber
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March 15, 2017, 8:19 AM ET

Chief executives at some of the largest U.S. companies are increasingly optimistic about the future of the economy.

According to The Business Roundtable’s CEO Economic Outlook Index, as cited by Bloomberg, the optimism among 141 CEOs increased 19.1 points in the first quarter to 93.3—the largest jump since the last three months of 2009. The index, according to Bloomberg, is a measure of the expectations CEOs have for revenue, capital spending, and employment.

The increase in optimism is also up from the running average of 79.8. Results above 50 usually signal economic expansion, notes Bloomberg.

The Index’s survey is yet another example of the confidence hike among businesses and consumers since President Donald Trump was elected, Bloomberg reports. Companies are encouraged by his promise to cut corporate taxes and curtail regulations, among other things.

 

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