Author: Melanie C. Nolen

After surging in August on a wave of optimism, Chief Executive’s CEO Confidence Index has been receding for the past two months, as CEOs look for clear signs ahead.

CEO confidence in business conditions 12 months out declined in October, giving back all of September’s gains when a stock market rally had given hope the Fed would moderate its tightening.

After months of continuous decline, Chief Executive’s leading indicator of CEO sentiment rose for a second consecutive month in September—adding another 2 percent to August’s 14 percent rebound.

Chief Executive Group recently asked hundreds of CEOs and CFOs to share their strategies for navigating the current environment. Here’s where they said they’re focusing energy and resources for the next few months of uncertainty.

After four months of continuous decline, our CEO Confidence Index jumped this month, as CEOs report early indications that by this time next year, the country will be in a recovery. “Business is picking up, and our clients are looking beyond 2023.”

Far more CEOs are forecasting a recession in the near term versus even a month ago, but some say slowing demand amid rising rates and prices is what’s needed to get the economy back on track.

Chief Executive’s June survey of 278 U.S. CEOs shows leading confidence indicator now at 5.5/10, the lowest reading in nearly a decade. Majority forecasts worsening conditions in the year ahead, though not a recession.

Dow 40,000? GOP Congress? Inflation soaring? We asked America’s business and finance chiefs to roll out the crystal ball for the year ahead. Here’s what they see.

Chief Executive’s December CEO Confidence Index finds a slight increase in optimism, although most of America’s business chiefs say they don’t anticipate conditions to improve much in 2022.