Wells Fargo's 2017 International Business Indicator: Global business optimism higher than ever

U.S. business owners are more optimistic than they have been in four years about business overseas.

Published: May 5, 2017By Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo’s latest International Business Indicator survey shows U.S. companies are optimistic about international business and emerging market opportunities in the year ahead despite trade uncertainty.

With a score of 74 — a nine point increase from 2016 — the International Business Indicator metric of global business sentiments is the highest it has been since we began the annual business survey four years ago.

Citing a number of macroeconomic factors including a strong U.S. dollar, 81% of U.S. companies expect a rise in their international business activity in 2017. However, 78% are concerned about the effects of failed trade pacts, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).