Inflation and cyberattacks remain among the top concerns for US midsize and large businesses as executives navigate a more uncertain economic and risk environment, according to The Hartford’s 2026 Risk Monitor report.
The report, based on a survey of more than 500 business leaders, identifies cybersecurity, economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, worker safety, and the growing role of artificial intelligence as the dominant risk concerns shaping operations and growth strategies across corporate America.
Cyberattacks and inflation tied as the most widely cited business concerns, each flagged by 77% of surveyed leaders. The findings mark a notable escalation in tariff-related anxiety, with 63% of business leaders expressing concern over trade tariffs. Geopolitical conflicts were also identified as a key operational concern by 43% of executives surveyed.
Source: The Hartford
“The biggest concern is inflation affecting our company revenue and material costs,” one US business leader said in the report.
Shailesh Kumar (pictured), head of The Hartford’s Global Insights Center, pointed to broader structural forces behind those numbers.
“A fractured global order is reshaping the economic landscape, making geopolitical risk an increasingly important factor in inflation and growth,” Kumar said.
Morningstar forecast US inflation rising to 2.7% in 2026 as businesses pass on more tariff costs to consumers, with durable goods prices expected to rise a cumulative 4.5% over 2025–27 and nondurables rising 5.6%.
Despite the pressures, corporate leaders largely maintained an optimistic long-term outlook. An overwhelming 85% of business leaders said they remain confident in their organizations’ growth over the next three years. Rather than pulling back on capital expenditures, companies are directing funds into technology, corporate innovation, and workforce expansion to counter ongoing uncertainty.
The report also highlights a shift in how businesses are approaching risk management and insurance. Leaders are increasingly viewing these tools as proactive instruments for resilience, rather than measures activated only after a loss.
Legal system abuse emerged as another pressure point in the findings, cited as a driver of higher costs and greater exposure for businesses. On artificial intelligence, adoption is accelerating across industries – yet more than half of surveyed leaders still regard AI as a potential risk to their operations.
