According to the survey, conducted between July and September, only 48% of senior executives at large companies are now optimistic about the economy's prospects over the next 12 months. That's down from 69% in a similar survey conducted in the first and second quarters of this year, said PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The survey also found that just 32% of senior executives believe the U.S. economy is growing, down from 37% from the second quarter of this year.
The survey, conducted with BSI Global Research, interviewed 155 U.S.-based CFOs and managing directors and found most have reduced their revenue growth expectations for calendar 2002 to 5.9%, down from 6% percent and 6.3%, respectively, in the prior two quarters.
Looking ahead over the next 12 months, they are now targeting growth of 7.2%, down from the 9.7% predicted back in the second quarter, said PricewaterhouseCoopers.
