Business leaders remain confident, a survey said.

Despite signs of a slowing economy, U.S. business leaders remain confident about the economic outlook, the Conference Board said. The board’s index of business confidence advanced to 61 in the first quarter, up from 57 in the fourth quarter of 1984 but still below its peak of 76 in the second quarter of 1983. The index is based on responses from about 1,500 chief executives throughout the country. The board noted that labor market expectations were less optimistic, however, with only one-third of those surveyed expecting employment in their own industry to rise this year.