The WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index was 91.7 in July—down from 100, which was the baseline set in June.
Below are some key highlights from the July WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Survey:
- 28% of CEOs say current economic conditions have improved compared to a year ago, down from 37% in June.
- 62% of CEOs expect their firm’s revenues to improve during the next 12 months, down from 67% in June.
- 46% of CEOs expect their firm’s profitability to improve during the next 12 months, down slightly from 51% in June.
- 46% of CEOs expect their firms number of employees to increase during the next 12 months, down from 54% in June.
- 36% of CEOs say that they are holding back on hiring because of economic uncertainty.
- 31% of CEOs say they are unable to find applicants with relevant skills for their unfilled jobs.
- 39% of CEOs believe job openings are holding them back from growth or expansion.
- 36% of CEOs offer training to help prospective employees develop the required skills for their unfilled jobs.
Click here to read the Wall Street Journal article about the survey results.
Also check out the related video about small businesses struggling to close the skills gap.