March 6, 2008 1:21PM

CEO Confidence Index Hits 5-Year Low, Yet 83% of Those surveyed Say They Will NOT Cut Jobs

By Alexis Glick

Are CEOs confident about the business environment and the economy? This morning I sat down with the chairman and CEO of Vistage International. Vistage International has 14,000 members in 16 countries. Combined, these companies (small and mid-sized businesses) account for $300 billion in annual revenue and more than 2.1 million jobs.

Each quarter they release the CEO Confidence Index. Vistage interviewed 2,287 CEOs of small to mid-sized companies and asked them a list of questions about their confidence in the economy, banking and many other issues.

Take a look at the interview below. Note this sector (small to mid-sized businesses) represents one of the most important parts of the economy: 75% of all new jobs and 50% of national revenue.