The latest Measure of CEO Confidence, conducted by The Conference Board and The Business Council, highlights a sharp divide between current economic anxiety and long-term corporate strategy. While 41% of surveyed executives now expect economic conditions to deteriorate over the coming six months—more than double the 19% recorded in the third quarter—many firms remain committed to expansion.

Despite the downbeat outlook, companies are not retreating from investment. Roughly 36% of CEOs plan to increase capital spending, and 16% intend to implement wage hikes of 4% or more. However, the operational landscape is increasingly defined by technological and security threats. Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical risks emerged as the primary concerns, with 94% of leaders identifying cyber threats as their top AI-related worry. As firms navigate these challenges, the focus remains firmly on productivity, with nearly half of executives prioritizing AI for cost-reduction efforts to safeguard enterprise value.