Business Executives Expect Slower Sales

Businesses will see slower growth in sales, profits and employment during the first three months of the year, according to a quarterly survey of business executives released Wednesday.

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. said optimism for first-quarter sales stands at a three-year low and companies’ profit outlook is the lowest since the final quarter of 1993.

Expectations fell across all types of companies for a second straight quarter. D&B’s sales index fell 6 points to 53 and its profits index fell 3 points to 48. The price index was unchanged, suggesting little threat of inflation.