CEO confidence rose in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the third quarter. The Conference Board’s and PwC Network’s measure of CEO confidence rose to a level of 60 in the fourth quarter from 54 in the third quarter.

“CEO confidence bounced back in the fourth quarter as the pre-government shutdown uncertainty that was prevalent in Q3 abated,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “CEOs’ expectations for growth in the U.S., Europe, Japan and China remain upbeat, but sentiment is still negative regarding India and Brazil’s short-term growth prospects.”