51% of CEOs tell survey they're hiring
A little over half of a group of chief executives from the nation's largest companies say the will be hiring in the next six months. This sign was in an Express clothing store in Manhattan in late 2010. Credit: AP, 2010
More than half of the chief executives of large U.S. companies say they expect to spend and hire more during the next six months despite slower economic growth.
The Business Roundtable says 51 percent of chief executives polled expect to increase hiring. Last quarter's level of 52 percent had been the highest since the trade group began surveying its members in 2002.
More than 60 percent plan to buy more goods such as computers, software and machinery.
Most chief executives seem confident about their own company's prospects -- nearly 90 percent forecast higher sales. But they expect the economy to grow a modest 2.8 percent in 2011, down from an earlier forecast of 2.9 percent.
Business Roundtable represents chief executives from the nation's 200 largest companies.
The poll, from May 16-June 3, received 135 responses.
