Three out of four to hold off hiring during next six months • Cautious optimism revealed in aftermath of U.S. government actions. PNC forecasts moderate growth will persist in 2013.
PITTSBURGH, April 4, 2013 – U.S. small and mid-sized business owners plan to delay hiring new employees or seek new loans amid cautious optimism about the economy, according to the latest findings of the PNC Economic Outlook survey.
The spring findings of PNC’s biannual survey, which began in 2003, reveals about one in four are highly optimistic about their own company’s prospects during the next six months, up from 23% last fall. Nearly half expect sales to increase during the next six months – on par with the previous 46%. Their outlook has brightened about the U.S. economy during the next six months as 58% are optimistic and 41% are pessimistic in a turnaround from fall’s 42% and 57%, respectively. Regarding their local economies, 71% are optimistic and 28% are pessimistic – improved from 59% and 39% last fall.
Follow @PNCNews on Twitter for breaking news and announcements from PNC.An online media kit containing national and regional survey results is available on PNC’s website at www.pnc.com/pncpresskits. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.
