CONFIDENCE
Manufacturers Look Better As CEO Forecasts Flatten
Chief Executive reported that manufacturing sentiment held flat in September while broader CEO forecasts weakened. The publication said the sector looked stronger than others on both current and future conditions, though industrial producers and consumer-facing manufacturers appeared to be moving further apart.
The split is useful because aggregate confidence can hide operating divergence. Manufacturing leaders may still be reading demand, costs and orders differently from services or consumer businesses. For executives, the data argues for sector-specific planning instead of treating CEO confidence as a single macro mood.
Source: Chief Executive · September 11, 2026