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Confidence among big UK firms plunges to six-year low, Deloitte says
Finance chiefs shifted into cost-cutting mode as concerns over energy prices, inflation and interest rates pushed hiring and investment plans lower, Deloitte said.
- On Monday, the Deloitte CFO Survey revealed business confidence among Britain's largest companies plummeted to-57%, marking the lowest level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as the Iran conflict reshaped corporate sentiment.
- Geopolitical developments represent the greatest external risk with a weighted average rating of 79, as 61% of CFOs expressed significant concern about rising energy prices and inflation driving higher interest rates.
- Cost control has become the overriding priority, with 68% of CFOs rating it a 'strong priority' for the next 12 months; 79% of respondents forecast lower hiring, reflecting a shift toward defensive financial strategies.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting pressure as corporate sentiment deteriorates sharply, coinciding with separate surveys indicating private sector growth has slowed to a crawl amid rising cost pressures.
- Despite the uncertainty, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry noted the labour market has not deteriorated further; while the Gulf conflict hindered hiring in March, stabilisation trends that defined 2026 so far remain intact.
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Confidence among big UK firms plunges to six-year low, Deloitte says
Confidence across Britain's biggest companies has slumped to its lowest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as the Iran war spurred worries over surging energy prices and higher interest rates, a survey showed on Monday.
·United Kingdom
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Business optimism falls to a six-year low as geopolitical risk dominates agenda - Credit Connect
Business optimism among UK CFOs has fallen to a six-year low, according to Deloitte’s latest survey of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs). CFO confidence fell to a net -57% from -13% in the previous quarter, with concerns around energy prices, inflation and interest rates surging in the wake of the situation in the Middle East. As has been the case for the last three years, CFOs reported that geopolitical developments represent the greatest extern…
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left0Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
C 60%
R 40%
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