The Lebenthal Report Episode #172: Small Business Mood Check for 2026

Markets are coming out of Thanksgiving with a little more chop, even after a strong year — especially in last year’s standout winners like tech, AI-linked names, and Bitcoin plays. Michael Hartzman and Dominick Tavella explain what’s driving the pullback, why healthcare has quietly led November, and how healthy valuation resets can set the stage for the next leg higher.

Then we’re joined by returning guest Jeff Oak, Vistage Chair, for a real-time read on small and mid-size business sentiment heading into 2026. Jeff breaks down why CEO confidence has rebounded from the spring tariff shock but remains stuck in neutral — and what “profitless prosperity” looks like on Main Street, where protecting margins matters more than ever. The group also digs into rising AI adoption among smaller companies, holiday-season expectations, employee engagement, and the challenge — and opportunity — of leading a workforce spanning five generations.

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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/

The Lebenthal Report Episode #151: Small Biz, Big Worries

This week on The Lebenthal Report, we take a deep dive into market trends, small business confidence, and the latest fluctuations in the CEO Confidence Index with special guest Jeff Oak from Vistage. With CEO sentiment experiencing a dramatic rise in December followed by a sharp decline in February, we explore what’s driving this volatility and what it could mean for the broader economy. We also discuss the impact of government policies, job cuts, and tariffs on small businesses—the backbone of job creation in the U.S.

Exciting news! Jeff will now be joining us quarterly to provide expert analysis on the CEO Confidence Index, helping us track the evolving business landscape. Be sure to tune in to hear his next update in April!

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 (www.brokercheck.finra.org).