{
  "id": 14884756,
  "title": "CFOs Sing the Blues",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/cfos-sing-the-blues",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-16T06:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global Finance",
    "slug": "global-finance",
    "url": "https://gfmag.com/capital-raising-corporate-finance/cfos-sing-the-blues/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent Deloitte CFO survey reveals that 48% of finance executives are less optimistic about their companies' prospects than they were six months ago. In autumn 2025, this pessimism dropped to 25%. Economic uncertainties, such as energy shocks, inflation, Middle East conflict, and supply chain disruptions, have contributed to this gloomy outlook. Deloitte EMEA CFO program leader Richard Muschamp attributes the more cautious stance to \"a more challenging operating environment.\"\n\nEY's CEO Outlook echoes these concerns, with 60% of respondents citing geopolitical tensions as a near-term risk. EY global finance leader Myles Corson emphasizes the need for CFOs to \"build resilience into their organization\" and prioritizes \"resilience, productivity and cost discipline over expansion and risk-taking.\"\n\nOnly 26% of CFOs anticipate increasing capital expenditures over the next 12 months, while 36% expect workforce reductions. The consumer goods sector, affected by declining demand, is the most impacted by workforce adjustments. Companies like Unilever PLC have implemented hiring freezes, lasting at least three months. In Germany, Porsche AG plans to cut one in five jobs by 2035, and Deutsche Lufthansa AG will eliminate 4,000 white-collar roles by 2030. In France, Fives Group, an industrial engineering firm, sees no immediate need for downsizing.\n\nWhile some industries face challenges, others, such as defense and aeronautics, automation in warehouses, and decarbonization, continue to thrive. Fives Group's finance director, Suresh Abye, remains vigilant about costs, stating that \"10% of our activities have been impacted.\" The company has stopped recruiting and transferred employees to different activities. Fives operates in a dozen countries, with Europe facing the most significant challenges due to inflation, unemployment, and sluggish demand. Compared to the US and Asia, Europe's laborious regulatory framework and lack of policies favoring local producers make it more vulnerable.\n\nHowever, Europe has advantages, according to Corson. He highlights \"the quality of its talent pool, the diversity of the market, and its focus on sustainability.\" To make the most of these strengths, Corson suggests maintaining investments in artificial intelligence to identify opportunities, adjust quickly, and repurpose employees effectively.",
  "summary": "European CFOs face mounting economic uncertainty, shifting priorities toward cost discipline and resilience. The post CFOs Sing the Blues appeared first on Global Finance Magazine .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}