The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council rose to 54 in second quarter 2024, up from 53 in the previous quarter.
This marks the second consecutive quarter in which the measure is above 50, indicating that CEOs are cautiously optimistic after two years of gloom. A reading above 50 reflects more positive than negative responses. A total of 136 CEOs participated in the second-quarter survey, which was fielded from April 15 through April 29.
“CEOs’ views about the economy have shifted from six months ago,” said Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., vice chairman of The Business
Council and Trustee of The Conference Board. “Recession fears have faded considerably: Only 35 percent of CEOs surveyed in April anticipate a recession within the next 12 to 18 months, down from 72 percent in fourth quarter 2023. Nonetheless, CEOs remain only cautiously optimistic. Expectations for the economy six-months ahead were a tad worse compared
