Overview

• The Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index fell 15 points to 69 in the second quarter, marking its weakest reading since 2020 and well below its historical average of 83.
• CEOs cited unpredictable trade policies and tariff threats under President Trump’s administration as the primary drivers of the decline in their economic outlook.
• The employment subindex plunged nearly 19 points, with 41% of surveyed CEOs expecting workforce reductions over the next six months, while capital expenditure and sales outlooks also dropped sharply.
• The survey of 169 Business Roundtable members was conducted in early June when the U.S.-China trade truce was at risk of collapsing just before senior officials met to negotiate tariff pauses.
• Business Roundtable chair Chuck Robbins and CEO Joshua Bolten urged Congress to enact pro-growth tax legislation to bolster investment confidence and counteract policy volatility.