Skip to main content

Deloitte CFO Survey: 2025 Q3

Cost pressures mount

The quarterly Deloitte CFO Survey has been gauging sentiment and balance-sheet strategies among the UK’s largest businesses since 2007.

Key findings

  • CFOs see costs rising at the fastest rate in over four years
  • Geopolitical concerns for finance leaders ease, while worries around UK competitiveness and productivity increase
  • Cost reduction and cash control are top two priorities for CFOs for the coming 12 months

 

“The focus for CFOs has shifted, with geopolitical anxieties, a dominant concern for some time, moderating in the wake of a series of US trade deals. Domestic challenges have moved centre stage, with costs rising and mounting concerns about UK competitiveness. CFOs have responded by strengthening balance sheets through a focus on cost control, building cash reserves, and reducing debt.“

- Ian Stewart, Chief Economist

Explore the data
 

Download the PDF to access all the historical data series from the Deloitte CFO Survey. Data from the CFO Survey is also hosted on LSEG Datastream, Bloomberg, Factset and Macrobond. Please feel free to use any of the data series in your documents or presentations.

Email Thomas Avis to receive a copy of our spreadsheet containing our CFO Survey data.

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2025 Q2
UK: a top investment destination

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2025 Q1
Defensive strategies dominate

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2024 Q4
CFOs double down on costs

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2024 Q3
Geopolitical risk to the fore

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2024 Q2
Confidence up, uncertainty down

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2024 Q1
Turning the corner

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2023 Q4
A positive start to 2024

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2023 Q3
Debt is out of favour

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2023 Q2
Interest rate worries

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2023 Q1
Business confidence bounces

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2022 Q4
Credit conditions tighten

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2022 Q3
The credit squeeze is here

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2022 Q2
Braced for recession

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2022 Q1
Growth in a riskier world

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2021 Q4
Going for Growth

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2021 Q3
Investment is the focus

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2021 Q2
Growth is the priority

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2021 Q1
CFO optimism reaches record levels

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2020 Q4
2021: Lasting change and growth

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2020 Q3
The long COVID recovery

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2020 Q2
No quick bounce back

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2020 Q1
Crash, slow recovery, lasting change

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2019 Q4
Business confidence soars

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2019 Q3
Persistent uncertainty takes its toll

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2019 Q2
Corporate caution, financial market optimism

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2019 Q1
The dash for cash

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2018 Q4
Cost is king

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2018 Q3
Deal or no deal – that is the question

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2018 Q2
Defensive and watchful

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2018 Q1
Brexit transition boosts business confidence

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2017 Q4
Focus on cost control, no retreat on growth

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2017 Q3
Optimism bounces

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2017 Q2
Post election dip in business confidence

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2017 Q1
Brexit shock eases

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2016 Q4
Greater optimism yet to ignite risk appetite

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2016 Q3
Brexit looms large

The Deloitte CFO Survey: 2016 Q2
Brexit blow to business confidence

Did you find this useful?

Thanks for your feedback