The Conference Board’s latest measure of CEO confidence fell in the fourth quarter— which puts more executives feeling negative about the economy than positive.

“It's not the change of tariffs,” said KPMG U.S. CEO Tim Walsh, “but the fact that tariffs are changing, and then sometimes changing again.”

Both the company and the union say it’s the other side holding up negotiations at the bargaining table.

KPMG’s latest U.S. CEO Outlook survey finds that more than 70% of corporate executives feel AI “will not dramatically change their workforce.”

And 72% of CEOs surveyed anticipate modest or significantly increased hiring in the next year.

And what do medieval times have to do with it?

How much is too much? Union strikes and shareholder discussions have put executive compensation centerstage.

But fewer CEOs feel confident of their firm’s fortunes than last year, a KPMG survey shows. More execs also want people back in the office.

Even fewer are preparing for it.

CEOs may not be economic wizards. But they have access to crucial data and make decisions that influence the economy.