The United States reclaimed first place in this year's foreign direct investment confidence survey, as the country has made a gradual rebound, report published by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney showed Wednesday.
The U.S. topped the list for the first time since 2001, replacing China. Higher labor costs weighed on China's longer-term attractiveness. Moreover, enthusiasm for the U.S. resurgence pushed China to second in investors' minds.
Brazil maintained its third position, while Canada rose to fourth from 20th rank. Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom joined the United States in the top eight positions.
About 70 percent of corporate investors surveyed expect near-term recovery of their companies' FDI levels.
"While investors are still in a holding pattern as they have been since the recession, they seem more optimistic and less jittery than they have in recent years," said Paul Laudicina, chairman emeritus of A.T. Kearney and chairman of its Global Business Policy Council.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Economic News
What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
May 08, 2026 15:50 ET Manufacturing and services sector survey results and labor market data from main economies were the highlight on the economics news front this week. Factory orders and jobs report dominated the news flow in the U.S. Similarly, industrial production data from German garnered attention in Europe. In Asia, purchasing managers’ survey results from China and the central bank decision from Australia were in focus.