Insight Bite: CEO Confidence Report for October

A little confidence is better than no confidence.

Insight Bite: October 19, 2026.

According to Chief Executive's October CEO Confidence Index, business leaders rate current conditions at just 5.8 out of 10, with little improvement expected over the next 12 months. 

But, there is some good news.

First, the CEO's assessment of current business conditions is up 3% from the prior Index (September) and 5% from the start of the year.

Second, 85% anticipate revenue growth in 2027, and 80% expect higher profits. For industrial manufacturers, those numbers are even more encouraging: 88% are targeting revenue growth next year.

So what's changed? Maybe it's less about optimism and more about accepting uncertainty as the new business environment. For manufacturers and the companies that support them, the opportunity is to stop waiting for conditions to improve and start finding ways to grow within them. Because while everyone is facing the same uncertain economy, not everyone is approaching it with the same fearless resolve. 

Change is indeed the new norm.

Read the full Index findings here. (Chief Executive)