2016 Business Outlook Survey Report

“2016 will be a tough year.”

Last year at this time, 78 percent of the respondents to our Business Outlook Survey expected U.S Business conditions to improve. This year, however, only 44 percent anticipate improvement. The reasons for the 34 percent drop in confidence range from election year jitters and stock market turmoil to government regulations and political partisanship. In fact, 28 percent expect a decline in business conditions this year, compared to only seven percent last year. “The future for the next 4 years is hinging on the election—no matter which way it goes,” said one of the business owners and executives who completed the sixth annual McDonald Hopkins Business Outlook Survey. To read the full report, click here.
 

"Good teams find ways to win."

And yet, there is considerably more confidence in the business conditions of their own organizations. In fact, 63 percent saybusiness conditions will improve at their companies—a less than 10 percent decline from last year. Fifty-one percent predict modest improvement and 12 percent believe the improvements will be significant. The optimism is based on confidence in their own business acumen. To read the full report, click here.

 

Comprehensive tax reform in 2016

71 percent say comprehensive tax reform is important...but the vast majority—77 percent—are not optimistic that the election of any of the current candidates seeking the presidency will make it easier to achieve comprehensive tax reform. Respondents who elaborated on their answers believe that one of the Republicans is more likely to have success with tax reform, but they are still pessimistic. To read the full report, click here.

 

Data privacy and cybersecurity threats: Is “somewhat prepared” good enough?

While the threat of data privacy and cybersecurity threats seems to be rising, 67 percent of the business executives describe their preparedness as “somewhat prepared.” Only 19 percent perceive they are “very prepared.” To read the full report, click here.

 

To read a copy of the full report, click here.

If you have questions about our 2016 Business Outlook Survey, please contact Carl Grassi, president of McDonald Hopkins.