The worldwide outlook for the retained search industry cooled somewhat among executive search consultants, but some industry sectors still have strength, according to a survey by the Association of Executive Search Consultants.

The number of executive search consultants with a neutral outlook for the executive search industry was 45%, while another survey at the beginning of the year found that 75% were positive about the year ahead.

Weakness was reported in the financial services industry. However, sectors with the strongest growth in executive search were natural resources, professional services and manufacturing.

The survey included 132 responses from members of the executive search industry around the globe.