Almost half, 48%, of executives expect the economy to rebound in the first half of 2010, according to a poll by BlueSteps.com, an online career site operated by the Association of Executive Search Consultants.

Another 25% said they believe the economy will recover in the second half of 2009. And 27% said they don't expect an economic recovery until the second half of 2010.

The survey also found that 72% of executives have a neutral or positive outlook for the senior executive job market for the next six months.

The poll had 271 respondents with 65% from the Americas, 22% from Europe and Africa and 13% from Asia Pacific and the Middle East.