Overall economic confidence improved significantly from October 2012, according to Ernst & Young’s latest capital confidence barometer. Ninety percent of U.S. executives viewed the global economy as either stable or improving, up from 72 percent six months ago and 81 percent in April 2012.

Forty-seven percent of U.S. respondents expect to hire talent or create jobs, up from 32 percent in October 2012. Plans for workforce reduction reached a two-year low at 6 percent.

Other key U.S. findings include:

• 44 percent think the global economy is improving, up from 24 percent six months ago.
• 61 percent of companies are focused on growth, up from 46 percent in October 2012.
• 58 percent view global credit availability as improving.
• 76 percent expect global M&A volumes to improve.
• 29 percent expect to do a deal in the next 12 months.
• 45 percent expect valuations to rise in the next 12 months.

The capital confidence barometer is based on a global survey that included more than 400 U.S. respondents. It was conducted in February and March 2013.