KEY POINTS:
Business leaders are more optimistic about the prospects for their own industries than for the economy as a whole.
Among respondents to the Mood of the Boardroom survey, 46 per cent said they were more optimistic abut the general business situation in their industry than they were a year ago, while 42 per cent were less optimistic.
A majority expected to increase capital expenditure over the year ahead (58 per cent) especially in information technology (71 per cent).
And more expected to increase staff numbers (54 per cent) than reduce them (24 per cent).
But when asked about the New Zealand economy, 60 per cent were less optimistic and only 26 per cent more optimistic than a year ago.
About the global economy 53 per cent were more optimistic than a year ago and 29 per cent less so.
An emphatic 88 per cent were concerned about New Zealand's international competitiveness.
