Nearly half of CFOs are planning to reduce their inventory during the first half of 2010 in part due to supply chain improvements that allow them to hold less product, but also because of reduced demand according to Kate O'Sullivan, Sr Editor at CFO Magazine. Her view is based on this quarter's Duke University Global Business Outlook Survey.

Highlights: Employment will be a drag on the economy- full-time employment to increase by 1%. Temp hiring to grow <1%, Outsourcing 4%.  70% of CFOs at SMEs say credit conditions are worse then 12 mos ago - placing strains on inventory growth

Asia and China finance execs are more optimistic than their EMEA or US counterparts and expect stronger growth in capital spending with a 16% gain

Source: "Slouching Towards Recovery", CFO Magazine, April 2010, pgs 19-20