Leadership
2022 Business Leaders Outlook
Our 12th annual survey shows that midsize U.S. companies are rising to the challenge—and expecting another strong year.
For nearly two years, midsize U.S. businesses have been rising to the challenges of the COVID-19 economy. Issues that were considered temporary disruptions have proven to be much longer lasting. But they haven’t been viewed as insurmountable.
Our 2022 Business Leaders Outlook survey indicates that today’s executives are experts at reimagining, renewing and rebuilding their companies. Many have stood up to every challenge and shown they will not be defeated. Their resiliency appears to have paid off—and is fueling near-record levels of optimism for growth.
Midsize U.S. business leaders are more optimistic about their companies now (83% have a positive outlook over the next 12 months) than before the pandemic (76%), according to the survey. And for good reason: 70% of leaders said their businesses have returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels of profitability.
Nine out of 10 of those surveyed expect their businesses to grow and thrive over the next year. None of the respondents said they are afraid of going out of business. In fact, capital expenditures and credit needs—typical signs of plans to expand—are both expected to go up significantly from a year ago.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
These three business challenges—once thought to be transitory—remain on the minds of midsize business leaders, according to our survey.
© 2022 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Visit jpmorgan.com/cb-disclaimer for disclosures and disclaimers related to this content.