2009 4th Quarter Survey: CFO's Optimism Continues

"John Elliott, Dean of the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, briefly summarizes the findings emerged from the 2009 fourth quarter “CFO Outlook Survey” conducted by Financial Executives International (FEI) and Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business.

Over the past 2-3 years, we’ve watched a decline in CFO optimism of their company and economy. In the third quarter of this year, we saw for the first time a modest reversal. The optimism continued in the fourth quarter. CFOs report their plans for their companies, about the allocation of capital, about making investments and hiring. Specifically, Capital spending in the next 12 months is projected to rise 8.9%, versus 1% in the third quarter. Hiring will go up by 2.9%, versus 1.7% in the third quarter. CFOs were predicting to reduce their inventory levels in the third quarter; they are expecting to increase inventory levels by 2.5%. There are significant variations across various companies, industries, and characteristics.

The talk takes place on January 29, 2010.
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