RJ and Makay

Economists expecting hiring outnumber those predicting layoffs by the widest margin in more than a decade, shows a new survey from the National Association for Business Economics (NABE). The findings are yet another indication the economic recovery is picking up steam.

In the quarterly survey of 84 economists at NABE member companies and trade groups, 42% of respondents predicted more hiring by their firms over the next six months compared with only 7% who expected layoffs — the greatest difference between the two groups in 12 years. Business decisions are now "being driven by the fundamentals of an improving economy," says Shawn DuBravac, a Consumer Electronics Association economist who analyzed the findings.