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Economics

CEO Confidence in U.S. Economic Outlook Reaches 17-Year High

  • Conference Board measure more than doubles from pandemic low
  • More CEOs see improvement in job market and wage gains
Roger Ferguson
Roger FergusonPhotographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg

Corporate leaders are more upbeat about the U.S. economy than at any time in the past 17 years, according to a survey released Thursday.

The Conference Board measure of CEO confidence, in collaboration with the Business Council, jumped to 73 in the first quarter. That’s up from 34 a year ago during the height of the pandemic and business closures. A reading above 50 reflects more positive than negative responses.