CEOs Gain Confidence in US Economy But Bemoan Onerous Regulation

  • Business Roundtable index climbs 11 points to 1 1/2-year high
  • Expectations for hiring, capital spending, sales all increase
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Confidence among chief executive officers of large US companies jumped to the highest level since mid-2022 on stronger sales expectations and improvements in investment and hiring plans.

The Business Roundtable’s CEO Economic Outlook index increased 11 points to 85, according to its first-quarter survey released Wednesday. Readings above 50 indicate expectations for economic expansion in the next six months. Up until the latest reading, the gauge was confined to a narrow range in the 70s for a year.