According to a new survey by the National Association for Business Economists, 85% of experts expect the country's economy to grow at 2% or less for the next twelve months. This is a change from July, when only 23% predicted that slow of growth. The number of companies who plan to hire workers fell to 30%, and the companies laying off workers grew to 13%. Some said that European economic problems have affected the economy.
See "Survey: Fewer US companies expected to hire workers as pessimism settles in", The Associated Press, The Washington Post, October 23, 2011