The latest survey results from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® show consumers in the US have positive views about current and future business conditions, but their overall feelings about the economy remain mixed, and they are still worried about high prices, inflation and unemployment.

Join Erik Lundh, Senior Economist, Global at The Conference Board and Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators at The Conference Board, to find out how US consumer sentiment could soften spending in the second half of 2024.

(00:30) U.S. Consumer Confidence Overview
(01:33) Factors Influencing Consumer Confidence
(02:33) Labor Market and Recession Risks
(06:14) Inflation and Interest Rates
(08:04) Consumer Financial Sentiments
(12:20) Buying Plans and Durable Goods
(16:45) Global Economic Forecast
(33:00) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more on this topic from The Conference Board: 

• Consumer Confidence Survey

• Economic Forecast for the US Economy

• Economy Watch: United States 

2024 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient Raj Subramaniam explains how FedEx thinks about sustainability, data, culture and much more.

FedEx aims to have carbon-neutral operations by 2040, and that will require careful management of 5,000 facilities and 200,000 motorized vehicles. How can FedEx do this while making millions of deliveries every day, continuing to innovate, and leveraging its data to improve supply chains globally?

Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Raj Subramaniam, President & CEO of FedEx, to find out the three principles today’s leaders need, how FedEx leverages physical networks and proprietary data, and its plans for meeting ambitious sustainability goals.

(01:51) Leadership and Risk Management
(03:58) Navigating the Pandemic
(05:55) FedEx's World-Class Culture
(08:49) Innovation at FedEx
(13:50) Global Economic Insights: China and India
(17:57) The Importance of Trade Policy
(20:47) Sustainability Goals and Future Challenges

For more from The Conference Board:

• 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards

• Organizing for Success in Corporate Sustainability 2.0

• Silos to Synergy: Building a Cohesive Sustainability Strategy

This Leadership in Challenging Times discussion is featured as a C-Suite Perspectives podcast and a special CED Policy Watch Webcast. Leadership in Challenging Times features timely and insightful discussions with the outstanding CEOs who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. Business leader honorees discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate.

With temperatures rising and countries trailing on net zero goals, how can the private and public sectors adapt?

Global temperatures are well on their way to rising 2.6 degrees Celsius by 2100, and we’re already seeing deleterious effects. How can humanity adapt to climate change—and what happens if we don’t? Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, to discuss the most pressing risks, where we stand on 2050 emissions goals, and how the private and public sectors should help our world adapt.

(00:10) Understanding Climate Change
(01:12) Current Climate Trends and Projections
(03:48) Regional Impacts of Climate Change
(07:40) Adaptation and Resilience
(09:54) Global Efforts and Policies
(13:54) Technological Solutions and Sequestration
(20:42) Risk Assessment and Personal Actions
(26:09) Role of Private and Public Sectors

For more from The Conference Board:

• Hitting the Reset Button on ESG: Setting Strategy in a Time of Uncertainty

• Beyond Carbon: Why Methane Matters

• Carbon Emissions Continue to Rise Despite Massive Clean Energy Investments