In a survey of CFOs and senior comptrollers conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, 58% believe that the U.S. economy will worsen over the next six months, while 39% believe it will improve or remain the same. This represents a significant change in outlook since the same survey was last taken only six months ago, when 36% felt the economy would worsen and 64% believed it would improve or remain the same. The survey was conducted from March 10 through March 28, 2008 with 222 chief financial officers and senior comptrollers.

Only 15% believe that their own financial prospects will worsen (up from 12% six months earlier), while 42% expect financial improvements over the next six months (up from 41%). At the same time, 37%  predict an increase in the pricing of their goods, driven primarily by the increasing costs of employee benefits.

Over the next six months, do you expect the U.S. economy to: 

• Improve 9.91%
• Remain the same 30.18%
• Worsen 59.01%

Over the next six months, do you expect your company's financial prospects to: 

• Improve 42.34%
• Remain the same 41.44% 
• Worsen 15.32%

Over the next six months, do you expect prices or fees charged by your company to: 

• Increase 37.39%
• Remain the same 57.21% 
• Decrease 4.05%

About which type of pricing pressure are you most concerned? 

• Employee benefits (e.g., health care, pensions) 39.19%
• Energy 15.32%
• Insurance 4.05%
• Raw materials (e.g., food, metals) 26.13%
• Other 14.41%

Over the next six months, do you expect your headcount to:

• Increase 33.33%
• Remain the same 49.10%
• Decrease 15.77%