Davos: CEO confidence around the world is ‘sagging’ over China’s economic slowdown

Confidence about near-term sales growth among chief executives around the world has fallen to its lowest level in six years as China’s economic engine slows and a slump in oil prices signals deep unease about the global outlook.

A survey of more than 1,400 CEOs released on Tuesday on the eve of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos paints a gloomy picture, as corporate leaders contemplate a rising tide of threats.

Despite the trillions of dollars of stimulus and ultra-easy money that central banks have pumped into the system since the 2008 financial crash, just 27% of CEOs expect global economic growth to improve over the next 12 months, compared with 37% at the same time last year.