India Inc optimistic on economy

New Delhi: Asia’s top companies reported a bullish outlook in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the first three months despite worries over the global economy and rising costs, the latest Thomson Reuters/ INSEAD Asia Business Sentiment Survey showed.

Of the 124 companies who responded to the poll, none reported a negative outlook for the first time in the survey’s history. The business sentiment index rose significantly to 74 in the second quarter compared to a 64 reading in the first quarter. Despite worries over the global economy, rising costs and volatility in exchange rates, Indian companies were the most optimistic with all 10 respondents reporting a positive outlook, a level last seen in the fourth quarter of 2012.