The nation’s chief financial officers are expecting technology spending and hiring to each increase 7% over the next 12 months, according to a quarterly survey of sentiment by
"The quarter was characterized by a moderating of hopes and expectations," said John Elliott, Dean of the
Only 11 % of the financial executives expect an increase in revenues and 20% an increase in profits. The overriding expectation: New expenses, from taxes, financial regulatory reform and healthcare.
That led Baruch’s Optimism Index for the U.S. economy to drop nearly five points to 53.60, from 58.14. The CFOs' outlook for their own companies fell slightly from 69.49 to 67.40.
When asked about the potential impact the financial regulatory reform package would have, the most-cited effect was increased banking costs (45%), followed by additional compliance and reporting requirements and costs (39%).
Separately, the majority of CFOs (53%) also predict their taxes will increase.