Dive Brief:
- CEOs in Business Roundtable's survey said they were encouraged by hiring and sales during the next six months, but less optimistic about capital investment, The Hill reports.
- The results showed that projections for capital spending plans, sales and hiring rose 4.6 points to 74.2 in fourth-quarter results compared to 69.6 points in July through September, The Hill said. While hiring expectations jumped 14.8 points during the third quarter, capital spending plans fell by 5.4 points during the same period.
- The nation’s top executives also said regulations and cost pressures remain their biggest concerns for the fifth straight year. Caterpillar’s CEO and BRT chairman Doug Oberhelman told The Hill that business leaders were encouraged by President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to grow the economy.
Dive Insight:
Hiring optimism is a good indication of continued economic growth. HR’s challenge is to recruit and bring onboard the best possible job candidates in a tight labor market particularly for smaller employers and startups.
The Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress pledge to roll back regulations on business and some of the pro-labor measures the Obama administration backed in its two terms. This may give businesses the boost they said they need to operate efficiently and cost-effectively.