Confidence among CEOs continued to be muted as fragility in the domestic and global economies remained unabated, clouding their business prospects going forward. Reflecting this is the Vistage-MIER CEO Confidence Index which stood at 65.3 points in 4Q2015, almost on par with the prior quarter’s 65.1 which was the lowest since 1Q2009.
The current economic conditions index remained unfavourable which, at 17, is only second to its worst reading of 16 a quarter ago. 84% of the 444 respondents remained adamant that overall economic conditions in Malaysia have worsened in recent months. This was the same proportion polled last quarter which was the largest tabulated since 1Q2009. CEOs’ assessment of the economy in the short term, however, drifted higher, this quarter with the expected economic conditions index rising to 40 from 36 in 3Q2015. But compared to 4Q2014’s index reading of 57, CEOs are generally more worried this time around. While 65% of the respondents are girding for leaner times ahead, only a handful 5% are more positive and 3-in-10 do not think there will be any economic change anytime soon.
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Q4 2015 CEO Confidence Index Report
Q3 2015 CEO Confidence Index Report