Analysis
CFO Signals™: Quarterly CFO survey
What CFOs are thinking—and doing
The CFO Program’s quarterly CFO Signals surveys track the thinking and actions of leading CFOs. The surveys conducted are “pulse surveys” intended to provide CFOs with quarterly information regarding their CFO peers’ thinking across a variety of topics. Our goal is to explore top-tier CFO issues, in four predominant areas: business environment, company priorities and expectations, finance priorities, and personal priorities.
Library
View the collection of CFO SignalsTM available below, and check back as new editions are routinely added.
North American CFO SignalsTM:
- 2019 Q2: Investing through an expected (mild) downturn
- 2019 Q1: Anticipating a slowdown (but not a recession)
- 2018 Q4: Tariff and gridlock expectations stoke recession fears
- 2018 Q3: Fading optimism, led by trade, tariffs, and talent concerns
- 2018 Q2: Strong optimism, but trade policy and geopolitics loom large
- 2018 Q1: Sentiment swells in wake of US tax and spending bills
- 2017 Q4: Global economic growth underpins optimism entering 2018
- 2017 Q3: Geopolitical threats and political turmoil dampen sentiment
- 2017 Q2: Growing concerns about political and policy uncertainty, but optimism remains
- 2017 Q1: Large company optimism high and rising
- 2016 Q4: All eyes on the next US administration
- 2016 Q3: Tenor of worldwide geopolitics creating concerns
- 2016 Q2: Less concern about capital markets; more concern about oil and politics
- 2016 Q1: A rough 2016 start for economies and equities sparks concerns
- 2015 Q4: Betting on North America despite 2016 concerns
- 2015 Q3: China’s woes creating broad-based concern
- 2015 Q2: Declining expectations for company growth
- 2015 Q1: Continued optimism despite rising, broad-based volatility
- 2014 Q4: Despite global concerns, strong optimism heading into 2015
- 2014 Q3: Signs of positive momentum
- 2014 Q2: A mixed bag of sentiment and expectations
- 2014 Q1: A breakout year for corporate growth? Maybe. Maybe not
- 2013 Q4: Muted 2014 expectations despite improving economies
- 2013 Q3: Adjusting to a “fits and starts” economic recovery
- 2013 Q2: An air of optimism
- 2013 Q1: Ready to accelerate; hoping for a tailwind
- 2012 Q4: Less uncertainty, but not much more clarity
- 2012 Q3: Economic and political worries depressing large company CFOs’ expectations
- 2012 Q2: With still more macro uncertainty and volatility, companies are turning toward what they can control
- 2012 Q1: More optimism about earnings, hiring and investment—but not revenue
- 2011 Q4: European financial woes take
toll on near-term CFO expectations - 2011 Q3: CFO optimism plummets as global economic woes persist
- 2011 Q2: Growth headwinds are taking their toll on CFO confidence
- 2011 Q1: Companies are focused on generating post-recovery momentum
Global CFO SignalsTM:
- 2019 Q2: Waiting (and waiting) for answers
- 2019 Q1: Riding the tailwinds—for now
- 2018 Q4: Uncertainty returns with a vengeance
- 2018 Q3: Has growth finally peaked?
- 2018 Q2: Twin worries: Trade and talent
- 2018 Q1: Vital signs strong—again
- 2017 Q4: Time to be bold?
- 2017 Q3: What, us worry? Optimism up, again
- 2017 Q2: Riding a synchronized recovery
- 2017 Q1: Across the globe, the yeas have it
- 2016 Q4: Rising above the noise
- 2016 Q3: External shocks; Internal resolve
- 2016 Q2: Brexit: Overhang or hangover?
- 2016 Q1: Still reluctant to spend
- 2015 Q4: Braced for a bumpy ride
- 2015 Q3: Standing solid on
rocky ground - 2015 Q2: Staying focused; remaining vigilant
- 2015 Q1: A runway for growth
- 2014 Q4: Entering 2015 cautiously upbeat
- 2014 Q3: Geopolitical risks cast shadows
- 2014 Q2: Wanted: Political and regulatory clarity
- 2014 Q1: Signs of
a sustainable recovery? - 2013 Q4: Time to accelerate?
- 2013 Q3: Positively contagious
- 2013 Q2: An uneven recovery
- 2013 Q1: Confidence boosts
- 2012 Q4: Waiting to exhale
- 2012 Q3: Directionally Challenged
- 2012 Q2: Retrenching again
- 2012 Q1: Reasons to believe?
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