CEOs see uptick in layoffs, survey finds

“Sales forecasts are down from last quarter, prompting CEOs to remain cautious,” said Ivan Seidenberg, the Roundtable’s chairman, and Chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications, in prepared remarks. 

Thirty-one percent of CEOs expect to increase the number of hires domestically, compared to 43 percent last quarter.

Fewer also expect company sales to increase in the next six months, 66 percent compared to 79 percent last quarter. 

However, more CEOs expect increases in capital investment over the next six months, from 43 percent last quarter to 49 percent. 

“[They] are preparing for future demand by increasing investment in capital,” Seidenberg said. 

Still, in terms of the overall U.S. economy, CEO respondents estimate real GDP will grow by 1.9 percent in 2010. The prediction is down significantly from the 2.7 percent increase in the previous survey.