Worldwide Business Outlook on Economic Expansion Has Softened, but Bright Spots Remain, According to Ninth Annual American Express Survey of Global Finance Leaders

Finance Executives in the U.S. Were Most Likely to Report Revenue Gains over the Last Year;

Global Hiring Expected to Increase by 9% on Average in 2016

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The U.S. continues to be a bright spot in a challenging global economy, according to a new survey from American Express (NYSE: AXP) and CFO Research.

While U.S. finance executives are less optimistic than last year, their confidence in the U.S. economy remains above the global average of 65 percent. Three-quarters of U.S. finance executives report that their companies’ revenues are higher now than a year ago, outperforming any other country by at least 10 percentage points. A similar number of U.S. executives (73%, down from a survey high of 83% last year) are predicting economic expansion during the next year. In fact the U.S. also shows the largest increase in executives saying they have aggressive spending and investment plans in order to boost top-line revenue (31%, up dramatically from 13% in 2015).

The findings in the ninth annual American Express/CFO Research Global Business and Spending Monitor are based on a sampling of 651 senior finance and corporate executives from large companies located in 15 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America¹, Asia and Australia.

Caution Prevails Across Global Economy, but Executives Pursue Growth Opportunities

Even as senior finance executives worldwide are more guarded in their outlook for 2016, they remain committed to progress for their companies. Nearly nine in ten (87%) executives surveyed say their companies are planning to increase total spending and investment in 2016, and nearly half (49%) say they are planning increases of 10% or more. However, 61% of survey respondents say that political and economic uncertainty will make them more cautious.

As they look to grow their enterprises, finance leaders are seeking stability and security where they can find it and will focus on:

• Optimizing cash (68%)
• Strengthening sales in domestic markets (41%)

They will spend wisely on areas tied to growth by spending and investing more in areas such as:

• New product/service development (32%)
• Improving production efficiency (31%)
• Technology, including:
  • Mobile technology (31%)
  • Enterprise-level IT (29%)
  • Hardware and infrastructure (28%)
• Hiring
  • Headcount expected to increase by 9% on average in 2016

“Hiring is a vital ingredient for companies as they pursue growth,” said Susan Sobbott, president, Global Commercial Payments, American Express. “We’re seeing companies continuing to face challenges recruiting skilled and specialized workers which is leading to a growing demand for 'on-demand' workers. It’s clear that the gig economy will play an important role in helping companies’ fuel sustainable growth.”

Snapshots for each of the regions are as follows:

North America Remains Optimistic: U.S. Among Most Likely to Expect Increase in Hiring

While the North American outlook remains positive overall, Canadian finance executives are less optimistic about their economy than their American counterparts (63%, down from 73% last year). Despite Canada’s decline in confidence, North America is the only region for which this year’s survey respondents report better top-line performance than did last year’s respondents.

On average, North American respondents expect their companies’ planned levels of spending and investment to increase by 13%. At the country level within North America, the U.S. averages higher at 14%, double the 7% response for 2015, while the Canadian average is 11%, unchanged from 2015.

More than one-third of American finance executives will increase spending on enterprise-level IT systems (34%). One-third of Canadian businesses will increase spending on production inputs including raw materials and intermediate goods (33%). The top priority for technology spending for both Canadian (38%) and U.S. (36%) finance executives is business intelligence and data analysis capabilities.

In North America, finance executives expect hiring to increase 12%. The U.S. (13%) is among those countries at the top of the list predicting an uptick in hiring. Canadian executives expect a 9% increase in hiring. U.S. companies say their performance goals have been affected most by difficulty in hiring skilled or specialized workers (57%). In Canada finance executives cite difficulty in hiring both management and skilled or specialized workers (each, 50%). In order to address their hiring challenges, both Canadian (70%) and U.S (52%) companies will make greater use of temporary or contract workers.

"Finance executives are finely balancing the competing priorities of investing for growth and shielding their organizations from risk,” said Brendan Walsh, executive vice president for American Express Global Corporate Payments, U.S. “In the U.S., executives are counting on investments in technology to support growth and manage potential threats, and are most likely to spend on greater business intelligence and data analysis capabilities."

Europe Has Moderate Expectations: U.K. Most Optimistic, Large Declines in Russia and Germany

In Europe, executives have more moderate expectations for economic expansion, with 62% of respondents expressing optimism. The U.K. is most positive, with three-quarters (75%) expecting economic expansion. France’s level of optimism increased significantly from last year’s historic lows (29%) to reach 47%. Offsetting these gains are declines in economic optimism seen in Germany and Russia versus 2015, falling to 58% (from 67%) and 44% (from 55%), respectively.

French executives ascribe their increase in optimism to favorable trade agreements and improving economies elsewhere, as well as to continued financial restructuring and the positive effects of M&A. Germany’s decline may reflect concerns over a slowdown in exports to emerging markets, whereas Russia is facing recession and rising inflation.

U.K. Plans Greatest Increase in Hiring in Europe

On average, respondents in Europe expect to see an increase in hiring of 6%. Finance executives in the U.K. are most likely to plan to hire (9%), followed by Germany (6%) and Russia and France (both, 3%). In the U.K (62%) and Germany (43%) companies say their performance goals have been affected by difficulty in hiring skilled or specialized workers. French finance executives cite shortfalls in hiring IT staff (35%) and Russian executives cite difficulty filling manual or unskilled labor positions (32%). To combat their hiring challenges, companies in France (42%), the U.K. (41%), Germany and Russia (each, 38%) will make greater use of temporary or contract workers.

Asia/Australia: India Leads in Economic Confidence, China’s Outlook Continues to Decline

In Asia/Australia a majority of respondents (59%) anticipate economic expansion over the next year. But there is significant variability in expectations for individual economies. India continues to have the highest optimism in the region (86%), reflecting aggressive spending and investment plans and a commitment to innovation and growth. Australia registered an increase to 64% (from 60% last year), in part reflecting an increasing shift toward focusing on consumer demand to offset its historical reliance on mining and commodity exports, particularly to China.

However, the region’s outlook was severely undercut by a 20-point drop in optimism in China (to 58%), where companies face production issues, unfavorable exchange rates, and currency devaluation. Singapore (60%, down from 70%) and Hong Kong (30%, down from 50%) also saw double-digit declines from 2015 levels.

India Predicts Greatest Increase in Hiring Regionally

On average, respondents in Asia/Australia expect to see an increase in hiring of 8%. India is among those countries expecting to increase hiring the most (by 13%), followed by Australia (by 10%), Singapore and Japan (each, by 8%), China (by 6%) and Hong Kong (by 5%).

Executives in Hong Kong (66%) say their performance goals have been affected by difficulty in hiring skilled or specialized workers. In India (70%), China (68%) and Japan (53%) finance executives cite difficulty in filling sales and marketing positions. In Singapore companies say they have difficulty hiring management and skilled or specialized workers (each, 58%). Finance executives in Australia cite difficulty hiring management (55%) and in finding IT staff (53%). In order to address their hiring challenges, companies in Singapore (59%), Japan (55%), Hong Kong (53%) and Australia (47%) will make greater use of temporary or contract workers. Companies in both India (63%) and China (56%) will move some positions from overseas to domestic locations.

Latin America: Majority Predict Economic Expansion

In Latin America, 73% of respondents anticipate expansion in 2016. The strong showing for the region is led by large increases over last year’s survey in optimism in Mexico (79%) and Argentina (73%). In the case of Brazil, an eight-percentage-point decline from the prior-year level of economic optimism still places that country near the global average, coming in at 67%.

Mexico Anticipates Greatest Increase in Hiring Regionally; Difficulty in Finding Skilled Workers

In Latin America, Mexico is near the top of the global list of countries anticipating an increase in hiring (by 13%) followed by Argentina (by 10%) and Brazil (by 7%). In Argentina (58%) and Mexico (55%) companies say their performance goals have been affected by difficulty in hiring skilled or specialized workers. Brazilian finance executives cite shortfalls in hiring for sales and marketing positions (54%) and for manual or unskilled labor (53%). To combat their hiring challenges, Argentine companies will move some positions from overseas to domestic locations (58%) and companies in Mexico (51%) and Brazil (49%) will make greater use of temporary or contract workers.

Selected Highlights

Economic Expansion by Country:

% of Respondents Expecting Economic Expansion in Their Countries
Country		2016		2015		2014
India		86%		94%		86%
Mexico		79%		73%		86%
U.K.		75%		74%		93%
U.S.		73%		83%		75%
Argentina		73%		67%		70%
Brazil		67%		75%		80%
Australia		64%		60%		73%
Canada		63%		73%		76%
Singapore		60%		70%		82%
Germany		58%		67%		74%
China		58%		78%		75%
Japan		50%		52%		55%
France		49%		29%		62%
Russia		44%		55%		62%
Hong Kong		30%		50%		48%

Expected Employment Increase by Country:

Country			Change
India			13%
U.S.			13%
Mexico			13%
Argentina			10%
Australia			10%
Canada			9%
U. K.			9%
Singapore			8%
Japan			8%
Brazil			7%
China			6%
Germany			6%
Hong Kong			5%
Russia			3%
France			3%

View the full American Express/CFO Research Global Business and Spending Monitor here.

Methodology

The Global Business and Spending Monitor, released annually, is based on a sampling of senior finance and corporate executives from large companies around the world. The 2016 survey received 651 responses and has a margin of error estimated at +/- 4%. Survey responses were collected online in November 2015.

About American Express Global Corporate Payments

Through its Global Corporate Payments division, American Express offers a suite of B2B and T&E payment solutions that help organizations streamline processes and transform them into opportunities for savings, control and efficiency. American Express can help your organization increase working capital flexibility and strengthen relationships with suppliers. For more information, visit business.americanexpress.com/us/ and linkedin.com/company/american-express-global-corporate-payments.

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

About CFO Research

CFO Research is the sponsored research group of CFO Publishing LLC, which also produces CFO magazine and CFO.com. CFO Publishing and its Innovation Enterprise brand are the leading global voice in enterprise information and innovation, specializing in serving the information needs of senior finance and business executives. CFO Publishing has long-standing relationships with more than 500,000 executives.

1In the Global Business and Spending Monitor, Mexico is grouped with the Latin American economic region due to economic similarities, rather than with the United States and Canada.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160301005574/en/

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Alex Della Rocca
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Source: American Express

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