ST. LOUIS, July 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) survey of global technology executives and entrepreneurs finds that even though the business and economic impacts of COVID-19 are expected to linger, most respondents believe the worst is behind us.

While a majority (60%) of survey respondents expect to feel some impact from COVID-19 for another six months or longer, more than half (53%) believe the worst is already over. Only 23% anticipate ending the year significantly under budget. In fact, roughly one-fifth (19%) now forecast better-than-expected financial performance.

According to the survey, only 7% foresee a sharp, prolonged “L-shaped” recovery, which is a worst-case economic scenario. 60% of respondents anticipate a more moderate “U-shaped” recovery. Expectations among the rest are split between either a “W-shaped” double-dip recession (19%) or a sharp “V-shaped” snapback (14%).

Other key survey findings include:

• 70% report little to no customer churn in recurring revenues. 21% say the churn rate is between 5%-10%, and relatively few (9%) say it’s running at 10% or more.
• Three-quarters (75%) say their investors and debt providers have been very supportive, and 30% raised capital in the last quarter.
• M&A could heat up, with 63% expecting to pursue potential add-on acquisitions.

“The start of 2020 has been an unprecedented period for the global technology industry,” said Cole Bader, Co-Head of the Stifel Global Technology Group. “The COVID-19 pandemic has, in many ways, accelerated the underlying trend of digital transformation. This plays well into the value proposition of most technology companies and has fueled the sector’s resiliency.”

“Public markets have proven to have the depth and appetite to absorb follow-on equity and convertible offerings from technology companies with compelling growth stories,” added Patrick Seely, Co-Head of the Stifel Global Technology Group. “While some deal closings may be delayed, there are also quality companies preparing themselves for a sale process. We expect a rebound in technology M&A activity in the second half of this year and into 2021.”

The U.S. presidential election could be a wild card though, with implications for everything from tax policy to industry regulation. 44% of respondents say the election will factor into their strategic planning. Of those, 12% call it a “significant” factor.

Looking ahead, there could be substantial workplace changes in the technology sector. About half (53%) of executives surveyed expect to have more than 30% of their employees work remotely for at least part of the week.

The online survey of 57 global technology executives and entrepreneurs was conducted July 8-16, 2020. Click here to view the full survey results.

Stifel Company Information
Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC and Century Securities Associates, Inc. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities.  Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions.  Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services.  To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

Media Contacts
Neil Shapiro, (212) 271-3447
shapiron@stifel.com

Jeff Preis, (212) 271-3749
preisj@stifel.com