CFO Confidence Rebounds in Q326 Deloitte Survey Despite Mixed Economic Outlook
Deloitte's latest CFO Signals™ report for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 shows a rebound in chief financial officer confidence, with the score rising to 6.1 from 5.9 in the previous quarter and returning to the 'high' range (8–10). Despite this optimism about their own companies—where 90% express positive expectations for company finances—CFOs remain cautious regarding broader economic conditions, with only 37.5% rating the North American economy favorably. Technology-related concerns are rising among CFOs, particularly around technology deployment and cybersecurity, both cited by half of respondents as top internal and external challenges respectively. Risk appetite has slightly cooled compared to last quarter, though financing options remain attractive: 55% see equity financing as favorable, while 50% view debt financing similarly. Growth expectations are mixed overall—CFOs anticipate modest revenue growth (4.6%) and capital expenditure increases (4.3%), but lower forecasts for earnings, dividends, wages, salaries, and hiring.
Topics: capital markets corporate finance economic confidence technology risks