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LONDON, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- EY survey of more than 2,000 CEOs globally reveals confidence has returned,

but strategic choices will determine future success

- 54% of respondents plan to prioritize investment in existing business

- 59% will pursue transactions, even after a record-breaking year

- Focus on sustainability vs. quarterly earnings creates tension with investors

As the world enters a new phase in the global COVID-19 pandemic, the majority

of CEOs are ready to accelerate plans for investment and mergers and

acquisitions (M&A) in their pursuit for growth. These findings come from the

inaugural EY 2022 CEO Outlook Survey, which recorded the views of more than

2,000 CEOs across the globe on their prospects, challenges and opportunities.

More than half of respondents (54%) will prioritize investment in existing

businesses, digital transformation and sustainability, according to the survey.

In addition, more than three-quarters (79%) of respondents have adjusted, or

are planning to adjust, their supply chain to help reduce costs and minimize

risks to prepare for future disruption.  

Following a record year that saw US$5t worth of M&A [https://dealogic.com/],

transactions will remain a critical tool for CEOs in 2022 complementing other

areas of investment. Nearly two-thirds (59%) of respondents expect their

companies to pursue acquisitions in the next 12 months — up from 48% at the

start of 2021.  

CEO investment plans, however, could be thrown off course due to external risks

to their business. A majority of the surveyed CEOs (87%) appear worried about

rising input prices and identify trade tensions (18%), the impact of climate

change (17%) and increasing competition from challengers (13%) as the most

critical risks to the future growth of their businesses.

Andrea Guerzoni, EY Global Vice-Chair – Strategy and Transactions, says: “CEOs

are ready to be on the front foot when it comes to investment. At the same time

the impact of the fragile global environment and the increasing cost of doing

business across the board, from rising inflation to rocketing energy costs, is

keeping them up at night.

“Deals will remain a key lever in CEOs’ investment toolkit. Coming off a

record-breaking run for M&A, many CEOs will be focusing on integrating assets

acquired over the past 12 months, but CEO acquisitive intentions should ensure

continued deal activity at high levels in 2022.”

What’s the outlook for M&A in 2022?

In the next 12 months, CEOs will be prioritizing deals that will improve

operational capabilities (26%), and their environmental, social and governance

(ESG) positioning and sustainability footprint (20%), according to the survey.

The US, the UK, China, India and Germany are the most favored destinations for

those CEOs looking to pursue an acquisition in 2022. Looking at sectors,

technology, health care and advanced manufacturing are the top three sectors

more likely to buy assets.

Asked to identify the top trends in the M&A market in 2022, responding CEOs

said that they expect an increase in hostile and competitive bidding (72%),

private equity to be a major acquirer (70%), an increase in cross-sector (68%)

and cross-border (65%) dealmaking, as well as more megadeals (56%).

ESG and sustainability concerns are becoming more important for dealmakers,

according to the survey. An overwhelming 99% of responding CEOs say they factor

these issues into their buying strategies, while 6% of respondents say they

have walked away from deals in the past year, due to ESG related concerns about

the target.

Guerzoni, says: “CEOs see M&A as a critical accelerant for long-term growth

strategies. As ESG and sustainability concerns are becoming critically

important, the market in 2022 is also expected to be fueled by M&A aimed at

helping CEOs realize their sustainability strategy goals faster.”

Cost of focus on sustainability creates CEO tension with some investors

In a further sign that the pivot toward sustainable transformation among CEOs

is becoming a permanent shift in the post-COP26 world, while revenue growth

remains a key driver, over three-quarters of respondents (82%) identified ESG

factors as extremely important or important, when it comes to strategic

decision-making. In addition, 28% of respondents can clearly see the

competitive advantage of becoming a leader in sustainability.

At the same time, however, 65% of respondents admit that they have encountered

resistance from investors and shareholders about their sustainability

transition strategy; and almost a quarter (21%) say that investors are not

showing support for long-term investment plans, or that they are fixated on

quarterly earnings.

Guerzoni, says: “CEOs are ready to set their organizations on a course that

should deliver sustained benefits for shareholders and society. What stands out

is the need for alignment between CEO thinking and that of investors, when it

comes to prioritizing sustainability. Resistance from investors and

shareholders because of high costs and doubts over long-term returns, can

derail CEO plans and land their organizations on the wrong side of history.”

To read the full report, please visit: ey.com/ceosurvey

Notes to editors

About EY

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organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About the EY 2022 CEO Outlook Survey

The EY 2022 CEO Outlook Survey is the benchmark of CEOs’ sentiment on global

challenges, growth and sustainability strategy, portfolio optimization and M&A.

It 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. It is a regular

survey of senior executives from large companies around the world, conducted by

Thought Leadership Consulting, a Euromoney Institutional Investor company. The

panel comprises select EY clients across the globe and contacts and regular

Thought Leadership Consulting contributors.

Between November and December 2021, Thought Leadership Consulting surveyed on

behalf of the global EY organization a panel of more than 2,000 CEOs in 53

countries and across 14 sectors. Respondents represented the following sectors:

financial services, telecoms, consumer products and retail, technology, media

and entertainment, life sciences, hospital and health care providers,

automotive and transportation, oil and gas, power and utilities, mining and

metals, advanced manufacturing, and real estate, hospitality and construction.

Surveyed companies’ annual global revenues were as follows: less than US$500m

(20%), US$500m–US$999.9m (22%), US$1b–US$4.9b (31%) and greater than US$5b

(28%).

Organization’s global headcounts were as follows: less than 999 (9%),

1,000–4,999 (39%), 5,000-9,999 (15%), more than 10,000 (37%).

The CEO Imperative series provides critical answers and actions to help CEOs

reframe their organization’s future. For more insights in this series visit

ey.com/en_gl/ceo

Contacts:

Konstantinos Makrygiannis

EY Global Media Relations

+44 77 6893 0056

kmakrygiannis@uk.ey.com

Chloe Walford-Smith

EY Global Media Relations

+44 78 5989 0337

Chloe.walford-smith1@uk.ey.com

Source: EY