U.S. CEOs Reported Stable Business Confidence in October

Business leaders surveyed in October maintained a confidence rating of 5.8 out of 10 despite ongoing economic and policy concerns.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Economic Indicators

U.S. CEOs Reported Stable Business Confidence in October

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U.S. CEOs reported stable business confidence levels in October 2026, even as they navigated challenges tied to inflation and global geopolitics. While the 12-month business outlook dipped slightly, many leaders remain focused on long-term growth for the coming year.

Why it matters

The confidence index reflects how chief executives assess the impact of financing costs, government policies, and conflicts on their operations. This data provides insight into the private sector's appetite for expansion and hiring in the face of persistent uncertainty.

The index score of 5.8 out of 10 was derived from a survey of 321 U.S.-based CEOs conducted in early October. Notably, 37% of these leaders plan to end 2026 with higher headcount than in the prior year.

The players

Chief Executive

This organization tracks business sentiment among top corporate leadership through its monthly CEO Confidence Index.

The details

Executives identified political uncertainty, high financing costs, and international conflicts as the primary barriers to business growth. Despite these pressures, 85% of surveyed CEOs project higher revenues and 80% anticipate higher profits in 2027.

The Chief Executive CEO Confidence Index was collected between October 6 and October 7, 2026.
A previous low point for the 12-month outlook occurred in September 2025.
A benchmark gap between current conditions and the outlook was 0.46 points in January 2026.
The United States midterm elections are scheduled to occur in November 2026.
The 2027 calendar year serves as the period for which CEOs forecast revenue and expansion.

Macro View

This data offers a snapshot of how current corporate confidence compares to historical volatility observed in late 2025. These results indicate a shift from the previous low-point sentiment, suggesting that leadership has stabilized expectations despite persistent inflation cycles.

Because 55% of CEOs are targeting workforce expansion in 2027, job seekers may see more hiring opportunities in the coming months. Conversely, the expectation of continued inflation suggests that businesses will likely maintain pressure on consumer pricing structures.

The takeaway

CEOs remain cautious due to political and geopolitical headwinds but maintain a positive long-term view for 2027. Readers should anticipate that corporate focus will shift toward revenue growth and headcount increases as firms move past the November 2026 election cycle.