The world’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) leaders head into the second half of the 2020s with something that shouldn’t be taken for granted: genuine confidence. Despite mounting pressure across technological, economic, and political fronts, leaders remain confident about growing their businesses and making them profitable. Here we unpack our latest SME data from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders.
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: Retail sector outlook – Confident growth in an age of embedded risk
Retailers are no longer reacting to crisis conditions; they are building strategies to match that continued uncertainty, according to the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026. Execution capability, particularly around technology, cybersecurity, and talent, will determine whether their confidence translates into sustainable performance.
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: Manufacturing sector outlook – Growth optimism in a high-cost world
Manufacturing leaders enter 2026 with a markedly different mindset to that of the early 2020s. Confidence has returned, but it is a measured confidence. Our HLB Survey of Business Leader insights reveal a sector that has moved beyond crisis response and into a phase of structured reinvention.
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: Technology sector outlook – Transformation in a complex risk landscape
The technology sector has entered 2026 with renewed confidence. After several years defined by inflationary pressure, capital constraints, and rapid shifts in customer demand, technology leaders are now looking ahead with a stronger sense of momentum. Discover more from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026
IPO Watch Australia: Signs of improvement
While initial public offering (IPO) activity in Australia remained subdued throughout 2025, the latest HLB Mann Judd IPO Watch Report shows there were encouraging signs of recovery as the year progressed, pointing to a potential uplift in the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) IPO market in 2026.
HLB Survey of Business Leaders: Reinventing transformation in volatile times
Find out detailed insights on the subject of reinventing transformation in volatile times, in the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026. We review key topics such as the risk radar, business confidence, strategic adaptability & agility, and customer-led growth.
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: European outlook – Competing under pressure
European leaders enter 2026 with measured optimism. Only 40% expect the rate of global growth to increase, around 1.5 times lower than the global average. This wariness stems from operating conditions that remain tough, testing both financial strength and long-term decision-making. Discover more from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: APAC outlook – Growing with intent
The Asia Pacific (APAC) region enters 2026 in a position of relative strength. Regional GDP growth outperformed expectations in 2025, driven by strong exports and sustained digital investment. 41% of leaders say they are very confident in their ability to grow revenue this year. Discover more from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026.
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: North America outlook – Operating in the new paradigm
North America has emerged from a year of pronounced political and economic changes. Business sentiment mirrors the regional balance between disruption and resilience; over half of leaders say they are very confident in their ability to grow revenues over the next twelve months. Discover more from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: LATAM outlook – Recalibrating for 2026
Optimism is returning across Latin America. Nearly one and a half times more leaders now expect global growth to accelerate, and confidence at the firm level has strengthened sharply. Almost half say they are very confident about revenue growth this year, more than double last year’s level. Discover more from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026
HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026: Middle East & Africa outlook – Margin gains to market expansion
Leaders across the Middle East and Africa enter 2026 with the most positive outlook among their global peers. Nearly three-quarters expect the rate of global economic growth to increase this year — a confidence grounded in recent performance rather than sentiment alone. Discover more from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026
Navigating volatility: Early findings from the HLB Survey of Business Leaders 2026
Each year, our HLB Survey of Business Leaders gives us an in-depth view into the mindset of global executives, how they perceive risks and where they see organisational opportunities. What we’re seeing in the early findings for 2026 is a business landscape defined by heightened exposure to risk, yet also strengthening confidence and strategic resolve