New CEO survey shows marked improvement of economic conditions.(Communique)(Chief executive officers)

The Business Roundtable's CEO Economic Outlook Survey shows that America's leading CEOs expect a marked improvementin economic conditions, with strong increases in sales expected and significant capital investment planned in the first six months of 2004. The CEOs' economic projections led to a sharp increase in the Roundtable's CEO Economic Outlook Index to 89.6 for December, up front 67.7 in October.

"CEOs are clearly optimistic that the U.S. economy will continue tostrengthen in the first half of 2004," said Hank A. McKinnell, Chairman of the Roundtable and Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc. "This survey is another strongindicator of broad improvement of business conditions, as nearly every CEO isprojecting increases in sales, and many expect increased capital spending and employment."

The key findings of the survey for the next six months include:

 
No Decrease   Change   Increase 
 
1. How do you expect your company's 
sales to change in the next six months? 
 
4%   3%   93% 
 
2. How do you expect your company's U.S. 
capital spending to change in the next 
six months? 
 
6%   59%   35% 
 
3. How do ...