After a costly and bruising election cycle that revealed deep divides over economic policy, there’s one thing business leaders can agree on: They’re glad the election is over.

Many business leaders here were openly rooting for Barack Obama’s ouster and after Mitt Romney was defeated, some disappointed executives took heart that they’ll have a measure of predictability over the next four years.

For one, Obama’s re-election means that some of his biggest legislative accomplishments, from the health care overhaul to new banking regulations, will likely stay in place rather than face rollback from GOP opponents.

More corporate deals could soon be announced as executives were waiting for the election to sort out before making key decisions about expansions and re-locations. For other sectors, though, the election brings even more uncertainty.

Subscribers can read our sector-by-sector look at the election’s impact in Sunday’s AJC or on our subscription tablet app.