Thirty-seven percent of finance leaders are optimistic about the U.S. economy over the next six months, yet 67 percent of chief financial officers expect to increase IT and digital transformation spending, according to a survey conducted by Grant Thornton Advisors.
The survey of nearly 240 finance leaders also revealed that 42 percent of respondents expressed confidence in meeting cost control goals and 43 percent expressed confidence in meeting supply chain needs. Tariffs, the oil supply and conflict with Iran have caused uncertainty. At the same time, 68 percent expect profits to increase over the next 12 months.
Companies are experiencing challenges related to the pace of artificial intelligence adoption, leaving CFOs to navigate a central tension: sustaining investment momentum without compromising operational control. Nearly half, 48 percent, of financial leaders say technology upgrades are a top priority, and 60 percent say technology and the AI-driven transformation are among their top value creation priorities. A total of 97 percent of companies are piloting, scaling or fully integrating AI into their operations.
Sixty-seven percent of respondents expect inflation to increase over the next 12 months, and 30 percent are using nearshoring in Latin America as they seek to reduce supply chain risk and respond more quickly to disruption.