“What we’re seeing is a broad expectation that things will really open up in the second half of the year."
An AICPA survey finds "a resurgent sense of optimism about the economy overall, despite the deep pain that remains in key sectors and industries."
But even amid the current surge in COVID-19 cases, an AICPA survey found executives had an improved outlook on the U.S. economy.
"We’re digging out of a very deep hole of pessimism. Comparisons are still tracking with the years immediately following the Great Recession."
The fourth-quarter Duke/CFO Business Outlook survey reflects what researchers call the "Trump Jump."
"Small business owners are deeply uncertain about the future, and that is affecting their decisions,” the NFIB says.
The AICPA finds economic optimism has stabilized, with profit expectations and employment also showing strength in the third quarter.
The US-China Business Council reports 90% of firms were profitable last year but business confidence continues to decline.
