Leaders from international corporations and US small-business owners expressed a lack of confidence in the near-term global economic outlook, an annual survey from the NYSE Euronext showed on Tuesday.

The respondents said they are looking to 2013 and beyond for improvements in business and job creating prospects.

China is expected to see the greatest growth in 2013, according to 39 percent of CEOs and 34 percent of US small business owners.

Forty-eight percent of the respondents rate the global economy as "poor", while 48 percent said it is "fair".

Meanwhile, 67 percent of public-company CEOs and 59 percent of US small business owners surveyed expect the global economy to grow in 2013.

The report was based on a survey among a diverse group of 340 CEOs from companies listed on the NYSE Euronext markets from 26 countries, and 285 US small business owners.

"Business leaders in the US and around the world have significant concerns yet are guardedly optimistic on the prospects for the economy, their businesses and job creation in the years ahead," said Duncan L. Niederauer, CEO of the NYSE Euronext.

"Heading into the US election season, business leaders are universally focused on the economy and jobs, and asking policymakers to provide more certainty around their tax and regulatory burdens," he said.

chenjia1@chinadaily.com.cn