Confidence among CEOs rebounded in the fourth quarter, according to The Conference Board's measure of CEO confidence.

The measure rose to a reading of 62 in the fourth quarter, up from 50 in the third quarter.

"The bounce back in CEO confidence signals that the cloud of pessimism that prevailed in the third quarter has lifted and CEOs are once again optimistic," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. "The improvement in both current and future conditions suggests a strong finish to 2010 and continued growth in the first half of 2011."

Fifty-six percent of CEOs said economic conditions in the fourth quarter were better compared to six months ago compared to 32 percent who said the same in the third quarter.

In addition, 56 percent of CEOs in the fourth quarter said they anticipate improvements in economic conditions in the next six months. That compares to 22 percent who said the same in the third quarter.