THE strong pound may be hurting exporters, but Britain's top business people are still in an optimistic mood.

The views of finance directors and financial controllers of leading companies are revealed in the latest survey from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. The results show an economy in reasonably healthy shape. General optimism is high with seven in ten saying they are very optimistic about the outlook for their own businesses. And 60 per cent are optimistic about the economy as a whole. The majority of companies report increased sales in the past year and say that orders are continuing to rise. Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) expect to see an increase in investment in their organisation, up from 57 per cent in November. And just under half expect their firms to be taking on extra staff over the next 12 months. Concern about rising wage costs is at its highest level for four years. Two out of three financial controllers think the Government is on the right track.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.