SAN JOSE -- Bay Area executives are gaining optimism over their prospects, according to a quarterly survey.

Optimists outnumbered pessimists by more than four to one in the Silicon Valley, according to the quarterly Bay Area Business Confidence Index. The survey of 542 top executives was conducted in October by consulting firm McKinsey.

The fall survey showed a two point gain sequentially, rising to 57 out of a possible 100.

The all-time high was 64 in spring 2004; the low was 39, in fall 2001, the first time the survey was conducted.

According to the survey, 37% of executives expect to add staff over the next six months, while 8 % forecast layoffs or reductions. Both numbers were down slightly sequentially.

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