CEO optimism in the economy rose this quarter to the highest level in two years as inflation cooled and the Federal Reserve forecast that in coming months it will start trimming the highest borrowing costs in 23 years, the Conference Board and Business Council found in a survey.
“CEOs are feeling better about the economy,” Business Council Vice Chairman Roger Ferguson said, noting that 32% of those surveyed said conditions have brightened in the past six months, a 24-percentage-point surge since the fourth quarter.
At the same time, top executives are remaining cautious about risks ahead, with 51% identifying political uncertainty this election year as the biggest business challenge. See more survey insights.