Credit Sesame looks at what a sharp drop in CEO confidence may signal for the economy and how it could affect your life and finances.
Confidence among America’s chief executive officers (CEOs) has just experienced its steepest drop since 1976, according to a new survey.
When concern rises at the top, it often trickles down. If business leaders are bracing for trouble, it may be time to prepare yourself. The good news is that a few smart steps now could put you in a much stronger financial position.
Survey shows a drastic drop in CEO confidence across the U.S.
The Conference Board is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that analyzes business conditions and provides insight to executives. As part of this effort, they keep a finger on the pulse of business leaders with regular surveys of chief executive officers.
A May 2025 survey found that CEOs have become more concerned about the economy in recent months. In fact, the decline since the previous quarter was the largest in the survey’s history, which dates back to 1976.
How worried are America’s business leaders? Here are some signs that concern is rising:
- 82% of CEOs said economic conditions had worsened over the past six months, compared to just 2% who said they had improved.
- 69% said conditions in their industry had deteriorated, compared to 7% who reported improvement.
- 64% expect economic conditions to decline further over the next six months, while only 18% expect improvement.
How bad could things get? 83% of CEOs expect a recession in the next 12 to 18 months. That is up from just 30% late last year.
What is driving these concerns? The top three issues cited were:
- Geopolitical instability
- Trade and tariffs
- Legal and regulatory uncertainty
Overall, economic concern among business leaders is rising quickly, and that level of caution could influence broader decisions affecting jobs, wages, and investment.
How CEO pessimism can affect the workforce
CEO concerns are not always accurate predictions, but they often shape real decisions that affect employees. When executive confidence falls, it can ripple through hiring, pay, and investment plans.
Here are some examples of how CEO pessimism might affect the workforce:
- Slower hiring. One of the first things that happens when leadership faces uncertainty is a delay or cancellation of hiring plans. This may already be happening, as job growth has been sluggish so far in 2025.
- Wage increases become stingier. As demand for workers eases and budgets tighten, companies feel less need to pay up to retain employees. Your next raise may be harder to come by.
- Employee perks are trimmed. One way to cut employment costs without the morale hit of reducing pay is to eliminate some employee perks. Everything from the company picnic to 401(k) matching contributions could be affected.
- Investment slows. R&D, new plant and equipment, and ad campaigns are all expenses that do not pay off immediately. CEOs may become more hesitant to invest in the future during periods of economic uncertainty.
- Layoffs start. Once demand slows, companies may look to reduce headcount to protect the bottom line.
To some extent, CEO pessimism can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. When companies reduce spending and cut jobs, it can weaken the broader economy.
How to protect yourself in an uncertain economy
When your company’s head is worried about the economy, it can affect you in several ways. In response, here are some things you can do to get ready:
- Build a little cushion into your budget. Whether it’s a smaller bonus, having your hours cut or even losing your job, economic concerns could affect your take-home pay. This would be a good time to take a look at your budget to see which costs you can reduce or eliminate.
- Rein in borrowing. If you’ve been borrowing regularly to make ends meet, it would be wise to break that habit. If the economy worsens, look for lending standards to tighten. It might become harder to get new credit, and existing credit limits might even be cut.
- Raise emergency savings. If you don’t have one, this would be a good time to start an emergency fund. If you already have one, this might be a good time to build it up. If the job market weakens, more people may lose work, and it may take longer to find a new job. A larger emergency fund could help you stay afloat.
- Work on your credit score. This could help you retain access to credit even if the economy weakens.
- Update your job skills. Look for ways to increase your value to your employer. That may keep you off any layoff list. It would also make you a more attractive candidate if you have to find a new job.
Taking steps to prepare for a rough economy may not change what executives do next, but it could make a real difference in how well you weather it. Building financial stability now can help you feel more secure, even if the road ahead is uncertain.
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Disclaimer: The article and information provided here are for informational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
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