CEO confidence in US economic outlook surges amid COVID-19 vaccine rollout

A recent survey by The Conference Board detailing the ‘Measure of CEO Confidence’ has found that confidence among US business leaders has reached its highest point since 2004.

The survey found that only 12 per cent of CEOs expected job cuts in 2021, with many chief executives planning pay rises for employees in the months to come, as the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines continues across the world.

The measure was conducted over the period of 14th January to 29th January this year, and also revealed that 45 per cent of the CEOs interviewed expect to increase capital spending this year, with an impressive 47 per cent looking to expand their workforce.

Overall, 82 per cent of US business leaders interviewed in the survey said that they expect an improvement in economic conditions over the next six months, up from 63 per cent that felt this way in a previous survey by the same company.