U.S. CEOs still not ready to hire. 40% expect to cut jobs in next six months.

Signs of economic recovery are no reason to let off of your A-game.  As reported by James Pethokoukis at Reuters:

BOSTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) – U.S. chief executives are not ready to step up hiring or capital spending, though a majority expect sales to rise over the next six months, according to a Business Roundtable survey released on Tuesday.

The survey said 40 percent expect to cut U.S. jobs over the next six months, compared with 13 percent who expect to add them. Some 35 percent expect to lower U.S. capital spending, more than the 21 percent who plan to raise it.

In a sign that they see the U.S. economy beginning to pull out of its worst downturn since the Great Depression, the majority — 51 percent — of CEOs expect their companies’ sales to rise over the next six months.

“CEO’s are beginning to see an uptick in expectations for sales, which is good; however, this demand has not yet translated into increased capital spending or hiring,” said Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications Inc.  Continue reading…