Q4 2016 Vistage CEO Confidence Index Results: CEO Optimism Surges

Q4 2016 Vistage CEO Confidence Index Results: CEO Optimism Surges

CEOs expressed record increases in optimism about economic prospects following the election. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index jumped to 105.2 in the Q4 survey, up from 91.4 in the 3rd quarter, and the second-largest increase since 2003.

The expected upsurge in business prospects have given a new urgency to finding, hiring, training, and retaining employees. This was the most significant and challenging issue voiced by CEOs in the latest survey. More than one-third of all firms expressed staffing and talent management as both their most significant current issue as well as their biggest challenge for 2017. Increases in investments and hiring represent a degree of confidence in the new president’s economic policies.

Q4 2016 Vistage CEO Confidence Index highlights include:

• 58% of CEOs expected the economy to improve during the year ahead, more than twice the 22% recorded in the 3rd quarter.
• 47% of CEOs plan to increase investments in the year ahead, reaching the highest level since the start of 2015.
• 60% of CEOs plan to expand their workforce in the year ahead, the most positive net employment intentions in ten years.
• 78% of CEOs expect revenue gains in the year ahead, up from 64% last quarter, and the most positive revenue expectation in the past ten years.