Executive Confidence Drops as Recession Fears Rise

Abstract

Now in 2022, with fears of a recession looming, it has dropped 17 points below the Q1 level, to a 44 rating. The economic confidence index halved between Q1 and Q2, falling to a rating of 23, from 46. Hardest hit is retail, down 12 points to a 30 rating, with K-12 education down ten points. The distribution-warehouse sector also posted a 68 rating, even with a ten-point drop. The Confindex is based on four financial and market components, each rated on a scale of 1 to 200. A rating of 100 indicates a stable market; higher ratings indicate market growth. Click the chart for greater detail The most significant number is the "Year ahead outlook," down 15 points to a 100 rating, says Stuart Binstock, CEO of CFMA. "Longer term, usually have a more favorable view on things. That is not the case here," he says.