Florida CEOs report record optimism in sales, capital investment, and hiring expectations

The Florida Council of 100 today released its Q2 2026 Florida CEO Index, showing Florida business leaders remain confident in the state’s economic outlook despite continued national uncertainty surrounding costs, workforce needs, and broader economic conditions.

Florida’s overall Florida CEO Index increased from 98 in the first quarter to 106 in Q2, the highest reading since the Council launched the index in 2025. Florida’s score also exceeded the national Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index of 91, with scores above 50 indicating economic expansion.

The Florida CEO Index is The Florida Council of 100’s quarterly measure of business confidence, modeled after the nationally recognized Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index. The survey captures expectations from Florida CEOs regarding sales, capital investment, and employment over the next six months, providing an early indication of where the state’s economy is headed.

“Business leaders often see changes in the economy before anyone else because they’re making decisions about investment, hiring, and growth every day,” said George LeMieux, Chair of The Florida Council of 100. “The record strength of this quarter’s Florida CEO Index—the highest we have ever seen — reflects the continued confidence Florida business leaders have in our state’s economic direction and long-term competitiveness.”

Florida’s Q2 results also improved significantly from the same period last year. The overall index rose from 83 in Q2 2025 to 106 in Q2 2026, reflecting stronger confidence across sales, investment, and hiring expectations.

Florida CEOs Continue to Outperform National Peers

Compared to their national counterparts, Florida CEOs reported stronger confidence across key indicators:

• Capital Investment: Florida’s capital investment subindex increased from 91 to 99, the highest level since the index launched. Florida CEOs continue to express confidence in investments supporting expansion, infrastructure, and innovation, outperforming the national reading of 93.

• Employment: Florida’s employment subindex increased from 95 to 100, matching the highest level recorded. Florida CEOs anticipate continued hiring and remain significantly more optimistic than national peers, whose employment index measured 51.

• Sales: Florida’s sales subindex increased from 109 to 118, another record high. Florida CEOs expect continued revenue growth over the next six months.

The Florida CEO Index is one of several ways the Council identifies emerging economic opportunities and challenges affecting Florida’s long-term competitiveness. The findings help inform the Council’s work to convene business leaders, develop practical solutions, and build initiatives that strengthen Florida’s economy.

“Strong economies don’t remain competitive by accident,” said Mike Simas, President and CEO of The Florida Council of 100. “They stay competitive because leaders recognize emerging opportunities, confront challenges early, and work together to solve them. The Florida CEO Index helps us better understand where Florida is succeeding and where additional attention is needed, whether that’s building the next generation of companies, strengthening the workforce, improving infrastructure, or addressing long-term challenges like housing affordability.”

This quarter’s survey included responses from 111 Florida CEOs across major industries statewide.

The next Florida CEO Index will be released in September 2026.

About The Florida Council of 100
The Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings together the CEOs of Florida’s leading companies to strengthen the state’s long-term competitiveness, expand economic opportunity for future generations, and advance solutions that better the lives of all Floridians.

The Council identifies Florida’s greatest economic opportunities and challenges, convenes business, government, academic, and community leaders around practical solutions, and builds initiatives that create lasting economic impact. Through research, collaboration, and business-led action, the Council works to help Florida build stronger industries, create higher-wage jobs, develop talent, improve quality of life, and remain one of the best places in America to build a business.

Founded in 1961 at the request of Governor Farris Bryant, the Council brings together CEOs who believe business success carries a responsibility to help shape Florida’s future. Today, the Council represents more than 200 companies employing over 1.3 million Floridians.

Media Contact: Amber Statler, (954) 649-9840, amber@mcnicholas.biz