A majority of those surveyed see no change in the U.S. economy in the next six months, with their hiring to remain constant. But when it came to the prospects of their own company during this same time span, 81 percent were optimistic.
The Grant Thornton Business Optimism Index, a quarterly confidence measure of U.S. business leaders, increased slightly to 57.3 in August 2008 in relation to the 56.1 index in May 2008 and the 56.3 index in February 2008.
|
Energy: Has the increase in energy costs caused you to increase your costs to your customers? |
|
Yes, we've significantly raised prices |
28% |
|
Yes, we've slightly raised prices |
41% |
|
No, it has had no affect on our business |
31% |
|
U.S. economy: Do you feel the U.S. economy will improve/remain the same/get worse in the next six months? |
|
Improve |
22% |
|
Remain the same |
55% |
|
Worsen |
23% |
|
Business growth: How optimistic are you about the growth of your own business over the next six months - very/somewhat optimistic/pessimistic? |
|
Very optimistic |
18% |
|
Somewhat optimistic |
63% |
|
Somewhat pessimistic |
18% |
|
Very pessimistic |
1% |
|
Employment: Do you expect the number of people you employ will increase/remain the same/decrease in the next six months? |
|
Increase |
37% |
|
Remain the same |
54% |
|
Decrease |
9% |
The survey was conducted between August 18 and August 29, 2008. More than 350 senior executives from various industries responded to the survey.
