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Deloitte CFO Signals Report: Confidence Rebounds Amid Economic Challenges

On September 28, 2026, Deloitte released its quarterly CFO Signals™ Q326 report, a key barometer of CFO sentiment across North America. Spearheaded by Ed Hardy, the U.S. Finance Services leader at Deloitte, the report indicates a notable increase in CFO confidence this quarter, despite ongoing economic uncertainties that have many in the financial sector proceeding with caution.

Key Findings

The survey, conducted among 200 chief financial officers of companies with at least $1 billion in revenue, reveals several significant insights:

1. CFO Confidence Score Climbs

The CFO Confidence Score increased from 5.9 in the previous quarter to 6.1, marking a return to the 'high' confidence territory. This score, which ranges from 1 to 10, reflects the overall sentiment towards current and future economic conditions and capital markets.

2. Optimism about Company Prospects

Despite a less favorable outlook for the broader North American economy, around 90% of surveyed CFOs expressed optimism about their companies' financial futures. Furthermore, 37.5% of these financial leaders view the current economic environment in a positive light, indicating a resilience and belief in individual corporate growth.

3. Technology-Related Concerns Emerge

Perhaps reflecting the evolving landscape of business challenges, technology risks have surfaced as a primary concern for CFOs. Half of the respondents cited technology deployment, particularly regarding Generative AI, as their predominant internal concern. Additionally, another 50% highlighted cybersecurity as a major external threat, underlining the increasing complexity of risks businesses face today.

4. Appetite for Risk Declines Slightly

Fifty-three percent of CFOs believe that now is an appropriate time to take greater risks, a decrease from 59% in the previous quarter. This slight tempering of risk appetite suggests a cautious approach amid many uncertainties.

5. Attractive Financing Options

In a further analysis of financial strategies, 55% of CFOs find equity financing appealing, while 50% extend that sentiment towards debt financing. This indicates a sustained willingness to explore various funding avenues, even as the environment for capital risks shifts.

6. Mixed Growth Expectations

Expectations regarding company growth reveal a mixed outlook; CFOs project that revenues will grow by approximately 4.6% and capital expenditures will rise by 4.3% over the next year. However, forecasts for earnings, dividends, domestic wages, salaries, and hiring have declined slightly, showing a nuanced picture of corporate growth.

Why This Matters

The CFO Signals report is an invaluable tool for understanding trends in corporate finance management and investment strategies. As the stewards of financial governance, CFOs navigate the intricacies of market conditions and corporate expectations. Their insights provide critical perspectives for stakeholders, highlighting how the leaders of significant corporations are adapting to the evolving economic landscape.

Conclusion

In a world marked by uncertainty and rapid change, the latest CFO Signals report underscores a notable uptrend in confidence among finance leaders while simultaneously reflecting their prudence and awareness of external business risks. As CFOs prepare for the challenges ahead, the findings from Deloitte's Q326 report serve as a cornerstone for understanding corporate strategies and potential economic developments in the coming year.

For further information, visit Deloitte's CFO Signals Dashboard.