Optimism about Economy

Businesses are feeling optimistic about the economy going forward, according to a new survey. Jack Kleinhenz, with the National Association for Business Economics, says its members are sending positive signals. “Firms are suggesting that they will see improvement in sales and consequently hiring and spending.” Kleinhenz says their outlook has improved since the start of the year.  “I think it is a positive one looking forward into 2014 especially after sort of a soft patch that we might have realized in the first quarter due to the harsh weather.” Kleinhenz says they don’t expect any curveballs from the Federal Reserve. “The consensus of respondents indicated the FED will stick to its plan of withdrawing its security purchases from the market, so I think that people are feeling they have more certainty.” Recent numbers indicate members plan to do more hiring in the coming months, adds Kleinhenz.  “We are seeing a net improvement in employment across all sectors and we are also seeing attention by firms across all sectors in terms of capital spending.” The survey suggests that sales should be improving in the next three to four quarters, there will be hirings, and there will be some more investments especially in capital expenditures.