US corporate finance chiefs continue to see tariffs as a major risk and expect prices to rise around 4% next year, according to a survey that could add to the Fed’s concerns about more stubborn inflation.
The survey of 548 CFOs showed confidence in the US economy is waning, with the optimism index falling to its lowest level in several quarters.
Firms expect modest job and economic growth in 2026, with only a small number of companies actively hiring, while others expect layoffs.
While tariff concerns are not as high as they were earlier this year, they are still a major issue as companies anticipate significant price and cost increases.
CFOs’ expectations of continued inflation are at odds with the Fed’s more optimistic outlook, raising concerns that price pressures may be difficult to abate in the near term.
