NABE Survey Shows Optimism About Sales, Hiring

Washington, DC, July 21, 2014 -- Companies are optimistic that sales increases will help boost hiring this fall, continuing a second-quarter trend, according to a survey by the National Association for Business Economics.

In the quarterly survey, 57% said sales at their companies rose in the second quarter. That was up from 53% in the first quarter and 35% in the same period a year ago.

In addition, 59% of respondents said they expect sales to increase during the third quarter, and just 1% expects sales to decline. Those in finance, insurance and real estate were most optimistic about sales increases.

Sales helped employment, as 36% of firms said they hired more workers during the second quarter, up from 28% in the first quarter.