In its quarterly survey of top executives in businesses spanning financial services, technology, and consumer and industrial products and services, 101 CFOs and Managing Directors were interviewed. 

The survey found that executives expect 6 percent growth for calendar 2002, with sixty percent citing a weak market demand as the predominant barrier to meeting revenue targets.

Companies planning major new investments expect revenue growth of 9.0 percent in the year ahead, 50 percent above the average. Marketing and sales promotion had the largest increase in companies expecting higher investment. Advertising, geographic expansion, and business acquisitions followed close behind.

"Management Barometer" companies’ recovery plans include little workforce expansion. Over the next 12 months only 31 percent expect a net addition of employees; 32 percent plan a net reduction of staff; and 37 percent say their workforce will stay about the same. Plans for new hiring are being held to an increase averaging just 0.6 percent.

As for mergers and acquistions, 43 percent of surveyed companies expect to purchase another business or operation over the next 12 months, and fifteen percent plan the sale of part of their own business or operations. 

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