The quarterly Vistage Confidence Index is now available.
The latest Vistage survey found that CEOs continued to feel confident about today’s economy, as the Vistage CEO Confidence Index was virtually unchanged from the levels recorded in the prior two quarters. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 101.0 in the 2nd quarter 2014 survey, nearly identical with the 101.3 in the 1st quarter and the 101.5 in the 4th quarter of 2013. This was the best three-quarter performance since 2005. The constancy of economic optimism is all the more surprising given the drop in GDP during the 1st quarter, indicating that CEOs discounted last quarter’s decline as an aberration due to the harsh winter.
Below are some key highlights from the Q2 2014 Vistage CEO Confidence Index (all members surveyed):
- 73% of CEOs expect increased revenues over the next 12 months.
- 57% of CEOs planned on expanding their payrolls, just below last quarter’s 58%, which was the highest level since the start of 2007.
- 30% of CEOs report that hiring new staff is the top business issue that they now face.
- 46% of CEOs plan increases in investments in new plant and equipment.
The initial results of my Pivot are excellent. I feel I have much greater clarity regarding the next 3-5 years.. 