CEOs Expect Growth of Less Than 2% in ’05

U.S. chief executives say the economy will grow less than 2% next year, according to a survey.

The poll of 50 executives by the Business Council cited terrorism and defense as the largest short-term risks for the economy. The group, whose members include executives at General Motors Corp. and Coca-Cola Co., released the results at a meeting in Irving, Texas.

The executives are less optimistic than this week’s forecast by a group of corporate economists for 3.7% growth in 2005 and the Fed’s latest official forecast of 4%.