With consistent and violent market volatility on the back of heightened geopolitical tensions, aggressive scattershot tariff policy, and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty, it is becoming increasingly difficult for management teams to project future financial performance with the same level of confidence they typically enjoy.

For executive teams, the key question isn’t just whether to revise guidance — it’s whether providing guidance at all remains plausible. When pulling or suspending guidance, investor relations and communications teams play a pivotal role in shaping both the internal strategy and the external message:

• Investor relations must anchor the “why,” partnering with the CFO and strategic finance team to clearly and credibly outline the rationale behind the decision, without sparking unnecessary concern or sell-offs.
• Communications must own the framing, ensuring a message that highlights 1) leveraging what the company can control, 2) awareness of the headwinds that are outside of control, and 3) commitment to responsible and pragmatic operational strategy to weather this period, resulting in a story that resonates with key stakeholders, maintains investor trust, and reinforces the company’s long-term vision, despite short-term turbulence.