Across the world, CEOs and senior executives are waxing optimistic about an economic turnaround. Others, though, stay glum about their earnings.

For many, like Walmart de Mexico chief executive Eduardo Solorzano, the economy has cause for optimism. In contrast, Walmart Stores CEO Mike Duke is treading the economy with caution, believing there is “still a lot of stress.”

Level 3 Communications CEO James Crowe also “continues to be cautious,” but he is beginning to feel that consumers are starting to buy again. Likewise, Metso Oyj’s CEO Jorma Eloranta said, “The overall market sentiment…continues to be cautious.” Nevertheless, Eloranta saw some positive signs.

At any rate, many company executives have conceded better earnings amid economy woes. Stacy Smith, Intel Corp CFO, said there were “signs” that the market for personal computers bottomed out early in 2009. The statement jibes with that of Interpublic Group of Cos CEO Michael Roth, who saw “improvement” between March and February 2009.

Feike Sijbesma, CEO of DSM NV, thought demand did not improve, but it did not deteriorate either. WPP Group CEO Martin Sorrell went so far as saying, “We’re doing OK,” while Drax Group CEO Dorothy Thompson said she saw “marked improvement in margins for 2010.”

Others have lower expectations. Air Liquide CEO Benoit Potier said that although there have been positive signs at the quarter’s end, this does not connote any indications of a trend. Earl Hesterberg, CEO of Group 1 Automotive, also saw no indication.

Bruce Wasserstein, Lazard’s chief executive, described the current economic atmosphere as being turbulent or tumultuous. In the same way, Abbott Laboratories CEO Miles White said that his company bore “the real impact of the economic downturn” for the first time.

Referring to subsidiary American Airlines, AMR CEO Gerard Arpey contended that the economic situation and the present condition of the capital markets continue to post significant challenges.

Famed restaurant chain Burger King even admitted their global margins were low, with branches in Germany and Mexico experiencing the steepest drop.

Post Author: guest

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 12:05 pm and is filed under Corporate News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.