DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After a year defined by cost pressures and economic uncertainty, U.S. businesses are positioned for renewed momentum and growth in 2026. The latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index℠ (Index), a quarterly measurement of business health, growth, and optimism finds sentiment among business leaders has stabilized, measuring 6.65 out of 10 in January 2026 – a slight uptick from 6.5 in October 2025. Large businesses report higher optimism (56%) about the overall.