Surge in optimism among CFOs
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After declining for two quarters, net optimism rose sharply to plus 47 this quarter compared with plus 29 last quarter. About 52 percent of CFOs expressed rising optimism, while just 5 percent cited declining optimism.
After three strong quarters in 2017, CFOs' assessments of the current status of the North American economy hit a new survey high, with 74 percent of CFOs saying current conditions are good compared with 64 percent last quarter; while 56 percent expect better conditions in a year, up sharply from 45 percent last quarter.
CFOs' assessments of the European and Chinese economies showed marked improvement, with 35 percent of CFOs saying current conditions in Europe are good, up from 29 percent last quarter and well above the levels registered over the past five years — and 49 percent of CFOs saying current conditions in China are good, up from 32 percent last quarter and a new survey high.
Forty-one percent of CFOs expect better conditions in China in a year, up sharply from 30 percent and another survey high. ■