WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index was 91.7 in July—down from 100, which was the baseline set in June. Below are some key highlights from the July WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Survey:
*28% of CEOs say current economic conditions have improved compared to a year ago, down from 37% in June.
*62% of CEOs expect their firm’s revenues to improve during the next 12 months, down from 67% in June.
*46% of CEOs expect their firm’s profitability to improve during the next 12 months, down slightly from 51% in June.
*46% of CEOs expect their firms number of employees to increase during the next 12 months, down from 54% in June.
*36% of CEOs say that they are holding back on hiring because of economic uncertainty.
*31% of CEOs say they are unable to find applicants with relevant skills for their unfilled jobs.
*39% of CEOs believe job openings are holding them back from growth or expansion.
*36% of CEOs offer training to help prospective employees develop the required skills for their unfilled jobs.
