Chief executives of major US companies reported growing confidence in the economic outlook during the first quarter, according to a new survey. The Bloomberg Markets report shows business leaders maintaining an optimistic stance even as global uncertainty intensified and the war in Iran pushed energy prices higher.

The conflict in Iran has rattled financial markets and driven up oil prices, creating significant headwinds for businesses across sectors. Despite these pressures, corporate leaders appear undeterred, suggesting underlying economic fundamentals remain strong enough to withstand geopolitical shocks. The resilience in CEO sentiment stands in contrast to the volatility seen in energy and commodity markets.

This divergence between executive confidence and market turbulence highlights the complex dynamics at play in the current economic environment. While energy costs have risen sharply due to supply concerns from the Iranian conflict, businesses seem to view these as temporary disruptions rather than fundamental threats to growth. The sustained optimism among CEOs could signal continued investment and hiring plans despite the challenging backdrop.