BUSINESS BRIEFING / THE ECONOMY

An index measuring the expectations of 107 chief executives from among the nation’s largest companies was at its highest level this year, with more than half expecting sales to grow in the next six months -- but their outlook for capital spending remained stagnant and 40% predicted more job cuts.

The Business Roundtable said its quarterly CEO outlook index rose to 44.9 in September from 18.5 in June. In March, the index stood at minus 5, its lowest reading since the survey began in 2002. A level below 50 is consistent with a shrinking economy.