"By the numbers: Confidence dipped one point from the previous quarter, to 48, per the report from the Conference Board, a nonpartisan think tank and the Business Council, an association of CEOs. A number below 50 reflects more negative than positive responses. 64% of CEOs said that they are preparing for a mild economic slowdown with slightly increased inflation pressure - a one-two punch known as stagflation. Only 22% said they were preparing for a "balanced economy with trend growth and gradual reduction in inflation pressure.""
"Friction point: The CEOs said geopolitical, cyber and AI are their top concerns. While 81% said they expect AI to "fundamentally change most job roles in their organization within five years," only 9% said that's already happening. The big picture: The White House's trade policy has bounced around all year. At the moment, President Trump is threatening 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, a move that would be devastating for American companies."
Confidence among surveyed CEOs dipped to 48, below the neutral 50 threshold that separates negative from positive responses. Sixty-four percent of CEOs are preparing for a mild economic slowdown combined with slightly higher inflation, a scenario described as stagflation, while 22% expect a balanced economy with trend growth and easing inflation. Geopolitical risks, cyber threats, and AI rank as top concerns. Eighty-one percent expect AI to fundamentally change most job roles within five years, though only 9% see that occurring now. Trade-policy uncertainty, including threatened high tariffs on Chinese goods, remains a major risk. Hiring and capital investment intentions rose modestly. The survey covered 130 Fortune Global 500 CEOs from Sept. 22 through Oct. 6.
Read at Axios
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]