Encore: Confident Crisis

In case you missed it, check out this encore epsiode of The Lebenthal Report, where hosts Michael Hartzman and Dominick Tavella are joined once again by Jeff Oak of Vistage, our trusted quarterly guest, to discuss the latest data on small business sentiment — and it’s sounding the alarm.

 

Jeff shares insights from Vistage’s latest CEO Confidence Index survey, which saw a dramatic 22-point drop. With hiring expectations falling from 65% to 45% and tariff policy uncertainty growing, small business leaders are bracing for economic turbulence.

We explore:

• The disconnect between soft data (sentiment) and hard economic indicators
• What’s driving the downturn in confidence
• Why CEOs are cautious about growth and hiring
• Recession probability estimates of 30–60%

Tune in for timely insights into how small businesses are navigating market volatility and preparing for the challenges ahead in 2025.

Lebenthal Global Advisors, LLC is a registered investment advisor. Lebenthal Financial Services, Inc is a FINRA registered Broker Dealer. The content of this podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice. The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Lebenthal Global Advisors, LLC is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Information about the qualifications and business practices of Lebenthal Financial Services, Inc and its representatives can be found on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website, https://brokercheck.finra.org/