CEO confidence rose again in the first quarter after posting an increase in the fourth quarter of last year. The Conference Board’s and PwC Network’s measure of CEO confidence rose to a level of 63 in the first quarter from 60 in the fourth quarter.

“CEO confidence rose to a two-year high, with both current conditions and expectations improving,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “CEOs were more positive about short-term growth prospects in the U.S. and Europe, but less positive about prospects for Japan and emerging markets.”