Survey: CEOs less optimistic about the economy

People wait in line before the Dr. King Career Fair at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, N.Y.(Photo: Mike Groll, AP)

Story Highlights

• The Business Roundtable's index fell to 79.1 in the third quarter from 84.3
• CEOs say disagreements in Washington about the debt ceiling and budget are making them cautious

NEW YORK (AP) — A new survey shows U.S. CEOs are less optimistic about the economy's prospects for the next six months. The survey indicates that disagreements over the 2014 budget in Washington are making them cautious about hiring.

The Business Roundtable's index, which surveys CEOs about their outlook for the economy, fell to 79.1 in the third quarter from 84.3 in the previous quarter. Any reading above 50 suggests expansion.

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The Business Roundtable says that 32% of its CEOs surveyed expect to increase hiring in the next six months. That percentage is unchanged from the survey in the previous quarter. Forty-four percent say that there will be no change in their hiring plans, while 24% say they expect to decrease hiring.

The Business Roundtable is an association that represents over 200 CEOs. The survey results are based on 134 responses received between Aug. 16 and Sept. 6.

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