© 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
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CFOs’ sentiment about the state of the economy compared to a year ago
- More optimistic
- Less optimistic
- No change
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CFOs’ sentiment about the state of the economy in Q2 2022, compared to 2021
- More optimistic
- Less optimistic
- No change
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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
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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
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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
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CFOs’ predictions for how long inflation will last
- 0–6 months
- 6–12 months
- 12–18 months
- 18–24 months
- 24+ months
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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
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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
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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
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Compared to a year ago, it is:
- Easier to raise funds
- Harder to raise funds
- No change
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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
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CFOs’ plans to take the company public in the next 12 months
- Yes
- No
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0%All answers
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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
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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
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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
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Number of banking partners before the banking crisis
- 0 to 5
- 6 to 10
- More than 10
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Number of banking partners now
- 0 to 5
- 6 to 10
- More than 10
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