CEO Confidence Survey

The Conference Board, a not-a-band, not-for-profit research org, asks 100 CEOs around the US, "and how does that make you feel?" to gauge economic outlook via the CEO Confidence Survey, a quarterly report.

If they’re worried, the CEO Confidence Survey index will read below 50, indicating a bearish economic outlook. If they’re feeling good, the CEO Confidence Survey index will read above 50, indicating a bullish economic outlook.

This isn’t like those internet personality tests that are just for funsies. The CEO Confidence Survey is considered a leading economic indicator, a direct rivalry with the CEO Confidence Index of Chief Executive magazine. The survey gives the CEO’s views on their industry, the economy as a whole, reasons for hiring, and reasons for layoffs. Because CEOs are playing with a ton of money, making large investment decisions, their outlook and confidence (or lack thereof) can tell us a lot about our economic future. Like an economic crystal ball, but more technical and less mystical.