ASTD Research has released its Learning Executive Confidence Index for the fourth quarter of 2009. 271 learning executives (LXs) responded to an online invitation-only survey, contributing to a Q4 LXCI of 60.2. There was minimal change in the LXCI, with only a 0.5 point decrease from Q3's LXCI of 60.7, indicating stabilizing optimism in the performance of the learning function. Highlights from the report include:

• The confidence of learning executives (LXs) stabilized in the fourth quarter of 2009, after rebounding earlier in the year.

• The overall LXCI for Q4 2009 was 60.2, essentially even with Q3 (60.7), demonstrating that collectively LXs expect their learning functions to remain the same over the next six months.

• Two of the four major indices (impact on corporate performance and status as a key strategic component) decreased slightly in Q4, while the other two (ability to meet learning needs and availability of resources) registered only minor increases. This pattern highlights that expectations are stabilizing after reaching their highest on record in Q3.

• Expectations for outsourcing on external services that aid in the learning function showed minor changes in Q4, with an increasing number of LXs foreseeing a continuation of the status quo or an increase in outsourcing.

• Nearly three-quarters of LXs anticipated WLP funding to increase or remain the same in the next six months, an increase from Q3.

• A majority of LXs who anticipated a decrease in their learning expenditures over the next six months predicted an improvement in their organization's WLP expenditure from Q3 2011 onwards.

To download the full report or for more information, visit the LXCI page on the ASTD website.

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