Cutting costs remains finance leaders’ top priority, but growth has moved sharply higher on the agenda, according to the latest U.S. Bank CFO Insights Report.
The survey finds that 39% ranked cost cutting as their top priority (up from 33% in mid-2024), while revenue growth rose from seventh to second (31%). In addition, 30% said contributing to business-wide digital transformation is a top priority.
“CFOs are managing through real cross-currents right now, with elevated geopolitical and inflation concerns. It’s no surprise that those pressures are weighing on near-term sentiment. But on the ground, in investment and business activity, we’re seeing more confidence. Leaders are still pursuing growth while maintaining cost discipline and sharpening risk management,” says Stephen Philipson, U.S. Bank vice chair and head of wealth, corporate, commercial and institutional banking.
Key takeaways:
· Nearly half (49%) of finance leaders say they are more likely to make acquisitions in the next 12 months than the past 12. Finance leaders say bolt-on acquisitions are the most likely deal type. Respondents in healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, and technology were among the most likely to say that M&A would rise in their sector in the next 12 months.
· Just 36% hold a positive 12-month outlook for the U.S. economy, down from 42% in mid-2024. Even so, the longer-term view remains constructive, with 58% reporting a positive three-year outlook for the U.S. economy. Finance leaders at larger organizations are significantly more optimistic than their counterparts at smaller firms. More than half (57%) of those at companies generating more than $5 billion in annual revenue say they feel positive about the U.S. economy over the next 12 months, compared with just 24% at companies with revenue from $100 million to $249.9 million.
- Driving revenue growth now ranks No. 2 on finance leaders’ priority list (31%), up from No. 7 in mid-2024. Contributing to business-wide digital transformation remains a Top 3 priority (30%).
- Geopolitical tension and war (35%) and high inflation (34%) are the top risks cited most by finance leaders. Some 71% of finance leaders say that rising global uncertainty and volatility has caused them to delay or scale down at least one major investment project in the past 12 months, while just 12% report cancelling at least one major project.
- Among organizations with manufacturing operations overseas, 62% nearshored manufacturing activity closer to the United States, and 37% reshored manufacturing back to the United States. Many (51%) with domestic or international supply chains have diversified suppliers across multiple countries.
- Finance leaders track ROI on 41% of AI investments on average, and where measured, 47% generate a positive return.
- 49% say they are more likely to make acquisitions in the next 12 months compared to the last 12 months, and bolt-on deals appear more attractive than transformational moves. For transformational acquisitions, 10% say they are highly likely and 37% say they are quite likely to do a deal. For bolt-on acquisitions, 19% say they are highly likely and 32% say they are quite likely to do a deal.
- Cutting costs and driving efficiencies across the company remains the top priority (39%), up from 33% in mid-2024.
- 49% say it’s increasingly challenging to pass cost pressures to customers, yet businesses plan to pass through 55% of cost increases on average, up from 50% in the past 12 months.
- 58% say their business is underhedged on commodity price risks, leaving them exposed as geopolitical tensions put upward pressure on energy and input costs.
