CNBC Global CFO Survey: Tariffs, Inflation, and Business Impact

Impact of Tariffs on Businesses

• 📊 20% of CFOs surveyed indicated that tariffs will increase their company's costs.
• 💸 15% of businesses plan to pass these increased tariff costs directly onto their customers.
• 🌍 Another 15% of companies anticipate that tariffs will necessitate changes in their global business operations.

Inflation and Economic Uncertainty

• 📈 30% of CFOs believe that tariffs will contribute to higher inflation.
• ❓ More than half (55%) of surveyed CFOs feel it is too early to determine the full impact of tariffs, citing uncertainty about which specific tariffs will remain in place.
• ⚠️ This policy uncertainty related to tariffs has influenced business decisions, with 85% of CFOs reporting it has had some impact, and 10% stating a significant impact.

Top Business Risks and Economic Sentiment

• 🎯 US trade policy was identified as the top risk for businesses by 30% of CFOs.
• 📉 Inflation and consumer demand were cited as the second and third most significant risks, closely linked to the effects of tariffs.
• 📉 25% of CFOs strongly agree that tariffs will not help, and will likely hurt, the economy, indicating a more pessimistic outlook on the overall economic impact.