How are America’s small business owners really feeling as we head into 2027?
On this episode of The Lebenthal Report Podcast, Michael Hartzman and Dominick Tavella sit down with returning guest Jeff Oak of Vistage to break down the latest CEO confidence data, Q3 2026 market trends, and the evolving outlook for small businesses.
From AI adoption and health care costs to higher interest rates, the war in Iran, and the K-shaped economy, Jeff shares real-time insights from small business leaders across the country.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Confidence has declined three straight quarters, but most CEOs still expect revenue growth
✔ Owners are pessimistic about the economy yet confident in their own businesses
✔ AI is now a named leadership challenge, with cautious adoption and data governance concerns
✔ Rising health care premiums and borrowing costs are squeezing margins heading into 2027
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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/