Grant Thornton, the Chicago audit, tax and advisory firm, released results of its biannual survey of business executives and found improved confidence about the economy. The company talked to 1,038 top financial officers to find:

• 51 percent believe the state of the U.S. economy will improve during the next six months. That is up from 40 percent last fall.

• 42 percent said the economy will remain the same.

• Optimism was higher in Georgia, with 60 percent of Georgia financial officers saying the state of the economy will improve or significantly improve during the next six months.

• 46 percent nationally said their company’s head count would increase.

• 8 percent said it would decrease.

• And good news for those hoping for a raise or looking for a job, 64 percent of the financial officers believe salary costs will increase during the next year.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Travelers pass by TSA security checkpoints at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. The airport had hundreds of flight cancellations over the weekend as the ongoing government shutdown continues to disrupt the aviation industry nationwide. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC