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CEO confidence improves

April 25, 2013

CEO confidence improved in the first quarter of 2013, according to The Conference Board’s measure of CEO confidence. The measure rose to a reading of 54 in the first quarter from a reading of 46 in the fourth quarter. A reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses.

“CEO confidence improved again, but still remains rather weak,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.  “However, expectations are that conditions will modestly improve in most markets, with the exception of Europe where the outlook for the next six months remains pessimistic.”

Thirty-six percent of CEOs in the first quarter said conditions have improved compared to six months ago, up from 15 percent who said the same in the fourth quarter, according to a survey that accompanied the measure. Additionally, 32 percent of CEOs anticipate an improvement in economic conditions over the next six months, up from 23 percent who said the same last quarter.