Business Roundtable released its Fourth Quarter CEO Economic Outlook Survey, with results showing declining expectations for capital spending and sales over the next six months, and a slight uptick in hiring.

For all of 2015, GDP is expected to grow at 2.4%, the same growth rate as this year.

BRT Chairman Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T, said in press briefing, “The economy continues to expand, but at a rate well below its potential, especially when you compare it to previous recoveries.”

Leading topics during Stephenson’s briefing were the keys to stronger economic growth, including tax reform, expanded trade and immigration reform. The lame-duck session of Congress needs to start by extending expiring tax provisions to prevent a massive tax increase, he stressed.

Business Roundtable (BRT) is an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies working to promote sound public policy and a thriving U.S. economy.