What's moving markets today: Live updates - CNN

Corporate moods are darkening, according to a key business survey released Tuesday.

IHS Markit's Business Outlook Survey recorded its lowest reading in two years in February, indicating that fewer companies plan to increase their hiring, profitability, and investment in the coming year (although the net figure is still positive).

The survey comes off a surprisingly weak February jobs report, and lends credence to the theory that a dip in hiring may indicate a broader slowdown is underway.

Other measures of business sentiment, including the Institute for Supply Management's Purchasing Manager's Index and the National Federation of Independent Business' Optimism Index, have also slowed markedly in recent months.

Despite the slowdown, American businesses remain more upbeat than those abroad, which IHS Markit measures using the same methodology.

Let's block ads! (Why?)