TRENDING
CEO Outlook Pulse Survey – Key takeaways companies around the world that aims to provide valuable insights on the main trends and developments impacting the world ’ s leading companies as well as business leaders ’ expectations for future growth and long-term value creation .
• Deal appetite has increased significantly rising to 56 % from 37 % in September 2024 – the survey ’ s highest deal ambitions for almost two years .
• Notably , the most confident CEOs are significantly more focused on pursuing M & A in the next 12 months than the least confident CEOs ( 70 % vs 17 %).
• Nearly half of CEOs are also looking to sell assets , with 48 % planning a divestment or carve-out , up from 44 % in September 2024 – adding further momentum to the deal market in the year ahead .
• Mega deals are also expected to define the M & A environment for 2025 with 60 % of global CEOs expecting to see an increase in deals over US $ 10b .
• In terms of geographies , the US , Canada and Mexico are among the top five hotspots for global investment in 2025 , which could help global companies navigate potential tariffs from the US .
Janet Truncale , EY Global Chair and CEO , said : “ Adaptability is the ultimate advantage in today ’ s landscape . Organizations that embrace transformation can turn disruption into opportunity , continuously learning , pivoting and growing to shape their future with confidence . The survey reveals that the most confident CEOs are taking a long-term approach to transformation , focusing on enhancing customer and employee engagement amid macroeconomic and technological shifts , and always placing humans at the center as the best path to sustainable value creation .”
The survey highlights that strategic vision and investment in people – including upskilling employees to keep pace with technological innovation – are considered essential levers for growth .
Eighty-five per cent of global CEO respondents believe that addressing capability gaps and striking the right balance between human talent and new technology will be a crucial driver for success in the year ahead .
24 INTELLIGENTCIO NORTH AMERICA www . intelligentcio . com