We track CEO Confidence levels which provides an indicator of upcoming economic and executive search activity.  We also provide below links to sites that provide useful indicators of economic activity and business cycles.

January 2012 - Confidence levels have improved in recent months and now read 49, up from 42 in the previous quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses).  On the inflation front, CEOs anticipate price increases of about 1.8 percent for 2012, down from last year’s estimate of 3.3 percent.

December 2011 - Confidence levels that dropped significantly as the year progressed appears to be turning slightly more positive towards the end of 2011 despite continued fears of a European crisis.   Alberta and other resource exporters are facing challenges in a number of areas of the job market.

January 2011 - The Conference Board notes that “the cloud of permission that prevailed in the third quarter has lifted”.  The confidence level has rebounded to 62% from 50%.

April 2010 - The Conference Board notes that 30% of CEOs plan to increase employment levels while 22% anticipate a decline.  Overall confidence remains above the 50% mark.

More information is available at

http://www.conference-board.org/data/ceoconfidence.cfm

Leading Indicators

http://www.conference-board.org/topics/subtopics.cfm?topicid=20&subtopicid=200

Key Economic Data

http://www.economist.com/node/21548979

Commodities

http://www.economist.com/node/21548984