CEO confidence holds firm as leaders build capability for what comes next [Vistage CEO Index Jul 2026]

Yet the latest Vistage CEO Confidence Index suggests many remain focused on what they can influence within their own organisations.

The findings reveal a clear confidence gap: CEOs are cautious about the broader economy while maintaining greater confidence in their businesses’ ability to adapt and perform.

Only 45% of respondents expect economic conditions to remain the same or improve over the next 12 months, down from 67% in June 2025. Just 6% anticipate an improvement, while more than half expect conditions to deteriorate.

Despite this subdued outlook, expectations for individual businesses remain more resilient. Around two-thirds of CEOs expect sales revenue to increase over the coming year, while almost three-quarters believe profitability will remain stable or improve.

Rather than waiting for conditions to become more favourable, CEOs are turning their attention to the areas they can influence — from growth and profitability to leadership capability, execution and the role of emerging technology.

Rising costs remain one of the most significant challenges facing CEOs. Wage pressures were the most commonly identified concern, alongside energy, freight and raw material costs. More than 90% of respondents expect their overall costs to rise during the year ahead.

These pressures are increasing the focus on productivity, pricing and operational efficiency, while prompting leaders to consider how technology and AI can support the way their organisations operate.

At the same time, employment and investment intentions remain relatively steady, suggesting businesses continue to balance caution with a longer-term view.

The latest Index also explores how CEOs are preparing their organisations to respond to uncertainty.

Revenue growth and margin improvement remain important priorities, but leadership capability, AI implementation and business transformation are also gaining attention. Nearly half of respondents already have a structured leadership development program in place, with a further 22% planning to introduce one.

The findings point to a broader challenge for CEOs: having a clear strategy is one thing; having the leadership capability and organisational discipline to execute it is another.

As economic conditions remain uncertain, the focus is increasingly shifting towards building organisations that can respond, adapt and remain positioned for future growth.

Download the latest Vistage CEO Confidence Index Report to explore the complete findings, analysis and implications for Australian business leaders.