© 2023 SB Investment Advisers (UK) Limited
Sōzō Pulse
Every quarter, we survey different leaders at our portfolio companies on pressing issues. Our interactive data experience lets you explore the results in detail.
SURVEY
CFOs - Q2 2023
CFOs are cautiously optimistic about sidestepping a recession
1 of 14
CFOs’ sentiment about the state of the economy compared to a year ago
- More optimistic
- Less optimistic
- No change
Compare by
0%All answers
CFOs’ sentiment about the state of the economy in Q2 2022, compared to 2021
- More optimistic
- Less optimistic
- No change
Compare by
0%All answers
2 of 14
CFOs’ predictions for the economy in their country/region over the next year
- A soft landing
- A mild recession
- A moderate-to-strong recession
- Continued volatility and uncertainty
- A strong rebound
Compare by
3 of 14
Factors companies believe will impact their business in 2023
- Inflation
- Rising interest rates
- Hiring/retention challenges
- The financing environment
- Supply chain issues
- The war in Ukraine
Compare by
By comparison, factors companies believed would impact their business in 2022
- Inflation
- Rising interest rates
- Hiring/retention challenges
- The financing environment
- Supply chain issues
- The war in Ukraine
Compare by
4 of 14
CFOs’ predictions for how long inflation will last
- 0–6 months
- 6–12 months
- 12–18 months
- 18–24 months
- 24+ months
Compare by
By comparison, in Q2 2022, CFOs’ predictions for how long inflation would last
- 0–6 months
- 6–12 months
- 12–18 months
- 18–24 months
- 24+ months
Compare by
5 of 14
Adjustment to business activities companies made in the past 12 months because of economic conditions
- Slowed hiring or cut jobs
- Cut sales or marketing expenses
- Cut R&D expenses
- No adjustments
- Other adjustments
Compare by
6 of 14
The next 12 months is a time to:
- Conserve cash and stabilize the business
- Invest aggressively to gain market share
- Expand into new geographies
- Expand into new product offerings
- Grow organically
- Grow through M&A
Compare by
7 of 14
Compared to a year ago, it is:
- Easier to raise funds
- Harder to raise funds
- No change
Compare by
0%All answers
8 of 14
CFOs’ plans to raise capital in the next 12 months
- No plans
- Yes, through equity
- Yes, through debt
- Yes, through a mix of debt and equity
Compare by
9 of 14
CFOs’ plans to take the company public in the next 12 months
- Yes
- No
Compare by
0%All answers
10 of 14
CFOs’ predictions for S&P 500 change between May 2023 and May 2024
- More than 10% higher
- Between 5% and 9% higher
- Roughly unchanged
- Between 5% and 9% lower
- More than 10% lower
Compare by
11 of 14
Higher interest rates caused companies to change their approach to cash management by:
- Building up cash buffers due to uncertainty
- Increasing use of money market funds
- Increasing bond investments
- Revisiting working capital management
- Other
Compare by
12 of 14
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank prompted companies to change their approach to treasury management by:
- Diversifying banking partners
- Moving cash to larger banks
- Doing additional due diligence on banking partners
- Focusing on liquidity
- Other
Compare by
13 of 14
Number of banking partners before the banking crisis
- 0 to 5
- 6 to 10
- More than 10
Compare by
14 of 14
Number of banking partners now
- 0 to 5
- 6 to 10
- More than 10
Compare by