Macro EconomyMedium•15 October 2026•
1 min read
US CEO Confidence Index Drops to 46 as Economic Concerns Mount
Key Facts
1The Conference Board's CEO Confidence Index fell to 46, signaling negative sentiment as any reading below 50 indicates contraction in confidence.
241% of CEOs expected economic conditions to worsen, a significant increase from 19% in the previous quarter.
3Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board, cited inflationary shocks and rising energy prices as key contributors to the decline.
The Conference Board's CEO Confidence Index fell to 46 in October 2026, signaling a shift into negative territory for corporate leadership sentiment. Axios reported that the index dropped from a reading of 52 three months prior, noting that any figure below the 50-point threshold indicates a contraction in confidence among Fortune 500 leaders.
Economic expectations worsened significantly, with 41% of CEOs now anticipating a decline in conditions, up from 19% in the previous quarter. Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board, cited persistent inflationary shocks and rising energy prices, specifically diesel, as primary contributors to the decline alongside growing concerns over cybersecurity and geopolitical tensions.