Dun & Bradstreet Composite CFO Optimism Index

Dun & Bradstreet Composite CFO Optimism Index: Dun & Bradstreet Composite CFO Optimism Index increased by 9.6% on a q-o-q basis

44% of CFOs stated cost of raising funds from the market has increased – highest since Q1 2014

Mumbai, August 7, 2018: Dun & Bradstreet, the world’s leading provider of global business information, knowledge and insight conducted a pan India survey of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in which they were asked about their confidence in the overall financial and macro-economic conditions for Q3 2018 (Jul-Sep of the calendar year 2018), as compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The survey reveals how optimistic the CFOs are with respect to the overall financial health of their respective companies, the business risk environment and the macroeconomic scenario in the country.

The survey revealed interesting facts about CFOs’ perspective on the overall business climate in the country:

• The Composite CFO Optimism Index remained unchanged on a y-o-y basis and increased by 9.6% on a q-o-q basis for Q3 2018

• Optimism levels have increased both for financial performance of the company and macroeconomic scenario on a q-o-q basis

• CFOs in the services sector remain more optimistic than the CFOs in the industrial sector

• 57% of CFOs expect an increase in the liquidity position of their companies in Q3 2018 – highest in 7 quarters

• 27% of CFOs indicated that the level of financial risks on company’s balance sheet will decrease - highest in 7 quarters

• 34% of CFOs asserted that their risk appetite in the current scenario will increase, this is highest since Q4 2014

• 44% of CFOs stated cost of raising funds from the market to increase – highest since Q1 2014

• Only 32% of CFOs said that availability of funds in the market will increase – lowest since Q1 2014

• Reducing cost (42%) and cash flow management (42%) are the top priorities for CFOs for the next six months

• 38% of CFOs have stated risk management to be their priority in the next six months, highest since Q2 2017

• Close monitoring of strategic accounts (41%) is the most preferred risk management tool by CFOs for the next six months