A key measure of U.S. CEO confidence slipped further into negative territory in the fourth quarter, with nearly two-thirds of corporate leaders warning of stagflation ahead, according to a new survey by The Conference Board.
The Conference Board’s measure of CEO confidence, released on Oct. 16, fell to 48 in the fourth quarter of 2025, down from 49 in the prior quarter. The survey, fielded from Sept. 22 to Oct. 6, included 130 CEOs of major U.S. companies.
“CEO confidence weakened slightly in the fourth quarter, signaling continued caution among leaders of large firms,” Stephanie Guichard, a senior economist at The Conference Board, said in a statement. “Views of general economic conditions now versus six months ago remained slightly negative while CEO’s six-month expectations for the economy turned from neutral to pessimistic.”…