Canadian financial executives are bullish about this year’s economic outlook.
According to a survey of 479 senior financial executives from around the world, 84% of Canadian respondents expect economic expansion in the next year, which is the highest level of response to that question in the past three years.
CFO Research Services and American Express conducted the survey, which focuses on how senior financial executives plan to position their companies for growth as the economy recovers.
More than 75% of Canadian executives expect market demand to recover by the third quarter of this year.
Rob McClean, vice-president and GM of global commercial card at American Express Canada, said: “After several quarters of uncertainty and doubt it is encouraging to see Canadian companies regain footing and do so confidently."
He said heightened discipline has become business as usual for Canadian companies because of the recession, yet nearly three quarters of those surveyed plan to increase their employee headcount this year.