Executives’ Outlook Positive for the First Time Since Crisis

For the first time since the start of the financial crisis, sentiment among U.S. senior executives about the next year’s economic outlook has crossed into positive territory, according to a new survey by the Arlington-based Corporate Executive Board (CEB).

Seventy percent of the 400 executives interviewed as part of CEB’s quarterly Business Barometer said that they expect their companies’ revenues to increase, with most (54%) expecting growth in excess of 5% over the next 12 months. While 64% anticipate greater cost pressures, most believe they’ll remain minimal. The barometer currently stands at a reading of 51, compared with 49 last quarter and 43 in the fourth quarter of 2009.

While modest, the improvement in executive sentiment is a positive sign that confidence in the recovery is growing as business fundamentals continue to improve.