US company CFOs saw a solid economic outlook, at least until war broke out, Fed survey shows

Group 1 - The outlook for the U.S. economy among corporate finance chiefs improved in early 2026, with expectations for increased employment and solid revenue growth, despite ongoing pressures to raise prices [1][5] - Tariffs and trade policy were identified as the top concern for 473 CFOs surveyed, although the percentage citing these concerns decreased to just over 20% from nearly 40% in mid-2025 [2][3] - Labor quality and availability were cited as concerns by 17% of respondents, while 15% were focused on the outlook for sales [3] Group 2 - The overall sentiment in the survey was positive, conducted before the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which subsequently pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel [4] - Business expectations for demand and hiring remained strong, with firms anticipating a 5% increase in revenue and a 1.6% boost in employment, alongside expected price and unit cost increases of 3% [5] - The survey was conducted from February 17 to March 5, with no significant differences in attitudes noted before or after the U.S. airstrikes on February 28 [6]