Florida CEOs upbeat about economy, hiring outlook tops nation
Business leaders’ expectations for hiring, sales and investment remained above year-earlier levels, despite a pullback from the previous quarter.
Florida CEOs remained upbeat about the economy in the third quarter, although confidence eased from its record high.
The Florida Council of 100’s third-quarter CEO Index slipped to 96 from a record 106 in the second quarter. It still topped both last year’s reading of 91 and the national score of 94.
The survey measures executives’ expectations for sales, capital investment and employment over the next six months.
“Florida’s business leaders remain confident in opportunities to invest and grow,” said George LeMieux, the council’s chair.
Hiring outlook tops national reading
Florida’s employment index registered 89, well ahead of the national reading of 58. Expectations for hiring, sales and investment eased from the previous quarter, though all three remained above year-earlier levels.
“Hiring expectations remain particularly strong relative to the nation, and investment expectations are substantially higher than a year ago,” LeMieux said.
Florida’s sales outlook, however, trailed the national reading.
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