Cost pressures surge in Q2 according to accountants and CFOs globally
The fallout from the Middle East conflict continues to impact the results from the ACCA and IMA Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS). The survey was conducted between 3 and 17 June, before the renewed fighting and resumption of the U.S. naval blockade Over three-quarters of accountants globally reported increased operating costs in Q2 – above the previous record set in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – amid soaring commodity prices and supply chain disruptions resulting from the conflict. Strikingly, 83% of CFOs experienced increased costs, following a record-breaking rise of over 20 percentage points from Q1. This is close to series peaks recorded in 2022 and 2023. Despite soaring costs, there was some recovery in confidence among accountants globally in Q2, from what was close to a record low in Q1. While the...