The latest Measure of CEO Confidence, conducted by The Conference Board and The Business Council, highlights a sharp divide between current economic anxiety and long-term corporate strategy. While 41% of surveyed executives now expect economic conditions to deteriorate over the coming six months—more than double the 19% recorded in the third quarter—many firms remain committed to expansion.
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US CEO Confidence Sinks to Lowest Level Since 2025
Confidence among leaders of major US firms dipped to 46 in the fourth quarter of 2026, dropping six points from the previous period. This decline signals a retreat from cautious optimism toward growing apprehension, driven largely by geopolitical instability and the persistent volatility of global oil prices.
Despite the downbeat outlook, companies are not retreating from investment. Roughly 36% of CEOs plan to increase capital spending, and 16% intend to implement wage hikes of 4% or more. However, the operational landscape is increasingly defined by technological and security threats. Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical risks emerged as the primary concerns, with 94% of leaders identifying cyber threats as their top AI-related worry. As firms navigate these challenges, the focus remains firmly on productivity, with nearly half of executives prioritizing AI for cost-reduction efforts to safeguard enterprise value.
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