Corporate Capital Strategies in a Changing Geopolitical Environment

Insights from Standard Chartered’s
Global Capital Structure & Rating Advisory Survey

Insights from 350+ global corporates on risk, liquidity, capital structure and growth priorities shaping financial strategy today in 2026Contents

Table of contents

Foreword

Executive summary:
A more deliberate approach to capital

Risk management remains central,

but responses are broadening

Liquidity discipline remains,
but efficiency is rising

Balance sheet discipline is enabling

strategic investment

Sustainability narrative is increasingly

embedded in capital decisions

RMB is more embedded,
but imbalance remains

What’s next:
The new corporate capital playbook

About the survey

Disclaimer

Corporate Capital Strategies in Changing Geopolitical Environment