The Latest Dilemma Facing Finance Chiefs: What to Tell Investors About Tariffs

Capital Markets Group Co-Chair Shawn Turner was quoted in The Wall Street Journal discussing how chief financial officers (CFOs) are managing uncertainty when drafting earnings guidance for investors and sharing projections of future sales and profits. These finance leaders have to navigate shifting trade policies and potential tariffs, often through adding caveats in guidance or omitting specifics about economic impacts as a result of the unpredictability of the current environment. Mr. Turner explained that the new generation of CFOs has experience dealing with periods of economic uncertainty, having dealt with the pandemic and 2008-2009 financial crisis. He added that CFOs are not only forecasting changes but also actively influencing policy discussions to inform their strategic decisions.

"There's a class of CFOs out there who've probably been through more dynamic economic environments in their careers than previous generations," he said.

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