CEOs Say They Are Bracing for a Recession—Even as the Economy Remains Strong

The chief executive of Wells Fargo & Co. says it will be difficult to avoid an economic downturn. The head of Frontier Airlines predicts conditions for high airfares could last for years. A veteran healthcare entrepreneur expects some startups to be wiped out in a recession.

Executives in industries as varied as banking, agriculture and transportation say they are watching the effects of inflation and looking for signs of a slowdown, even as many continue to say the economy remains healthy and consumer spending is strong. Over three days this week at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival, entrepreneurs, CEOs and policy makers sounded off on the state of the economy and what may be ahead.