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National survey of senior financial executives finds only 1 in 4 plan to increase hiring in next 6 months

But economic crisis ebbing as only 10% feel economy will get worse, with majority saying recession will end in 2010

CHICAGO, October 8, 2009 - In a national survey of U.S. CFOs and senior comptrollers conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, only one in four (24%) plan to increase hiring in next six months. But the economic crisis appears to be ebbing, as only 10 percent feel the economy will get worse, with the majority (77%) saying the recession will end in 2010.

Over the next six months, do you expect the U.S. economy to:

 

9/09

3/09

  Improve

49%

23%

  Remain the same

41%

46%

  Get worse

10%

31%


Over the next six months, do you expect your company's financial prospects to:

 

9/09

3/09

  Improve

45%

31%

  Remain the same

43%

41%

  Get worse

13%

27%


Over the next six months, do you expect prices or fees charged by your company to:

 

9/09

3/09

Improve

22%

15%

Remain the same

67%

70%

Get worse

11%

15%


Over the next six months, do you expect your headcount to:

 

9/09

3/09

  Increase

24%

18%

  Remain the same

54%

43%

  Decrease

22%

39%


When do you believe the U.S. economy will come out of the recession? 

  By the end of 2009

15% 

  First half of 2010

 27%

  Second half of 2010

 35%

  2011

 17%

  Later

 7%

   

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

- ends -

About the Survey
Grant Thornton LLP conducted the biannual national survey from Sept. 21 through Oct. 2, 2009, with 846 U.S. CFOs and senior comptrollers participating.

About Grant Thornton LLP
The people in the independent firms of Grant Thornton International Ltd provide personalized attention and the highest quality service to public and private clients in more than 100 countries. Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations. Grant Thornton International Ltd and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership, as each member firm is a separate and distinct legal entity.

In the U.S., visit Grant Thornton LLP at www.GrantThornton.com.