Optimism about US economic conditions among senior marketers has declined its lowest level since the pandemic, according to recent research from The CMO Survey.
The report was based on data from a survey conducted in January 2026 among 308 marketing leaders (VP-level and above) at for-profit companies in the United States.
Respondents give US economic conditions an average rating of 56.8 (on a 0–100 scale), down from a rating of 67 in the spring of 2024.
B2B and B2C marketers are equality pessimistic, with both groups giving US economic conditions an average score below 60.
Some 50.7% of marketing leaders say they're less optimistic about US economic conditions in 2026 compared with 4Q25.
About the research: The report was based on data from a survey conducted in January 2026 among 308 marketing leaders (VP-level and above) at for-profit companies in the United States.
