NEW YORK - Most senior executives at large U.S. companies plan to increase hiring and investments over the next 12 months amid growing optimism about the economy, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers released on Thursday.
According to the quarterly Management Barometer survey of more than 700 executives, 56 percent of companies plan net additions to their payrolls over the next 12 months, up from 46 percent in the previous quarter.
Technology companies and non-tech companies expect to bolster staff at about the same rate.
The confidence reflected in the survey contrasted with caution expressed recently by technology companies about corporate spending and an August slowdown in regional U.S. manufacturing reported this week.
About 55 percent of the executives surveyed said they plan major new investments, averaging 7.4 percent of revenue.
They also noted signs of inflation, citing higher costs and their ability to raise prices.
About 37 percent of the executives said their companies raised prices while 9 percent cut them, reflecting stronger pricing power than in the prior quarter.
"Costs are increasing and companies are starting to pass them along to customers in order to maintain margins. That's the classic formula for inflation," said Frank Brown, global leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers' Advisory practice.
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