US CEOs fear economic uncertainty more than their global peers as they head into 2026

Economic Concerns - Economic uncertainty is the primary concern for 43% of U.S. CEOs for 2026, followed by 35% citing the risk of a downturn or recession [2] - Globally, 36% of CEOs view an economic downturn or recession as the top threat, with uncertainty being the second concern at 29% [2] CEO Perspectives - CEOs are facing converging pressures that impact profits and growth, leading to a focus on innovation and business model revamping [5] - Despite a slowing labor market, American workers maintain bargaining power, with 27% of U.S. CEOs identifying expectations of higher compensation as a key hiring challenge [6] Business Model and AI Focus - The top priority for U.S. CEOs in enhancing profitability is making changes to business models, with 60% highlighting this focus [6] - U.S. CEOs prioritize measuring return on investment (ROI) from artificial intelligence (AI), with 46% aiming to improve data quality and quantity for this purpose [8] Geopolitical and Cybersecurity Threats - The primary geopolitical threat identified by CEOs is cyberattacks, with 54% of U.S. CEOs ranking it as their biggest concern [12] - Other significant geopolitical threats include uncertainty and armed conflicts, although war is not a top concern for U.S. CEOs compared to their global counterparts [13][14]