Over the past quarter, corporations faced rising reputational risk as economic uncertainty intensified and partisan climate agendas further diverged.
Gravity Research cuts through an ever-evolving reputational landscape with our proprietary Risk Index. Each quarter, we quantify the risk of companies engaging on today’s most pressing issues, helping decision-makers measure exposure, anticipate pressure, and navigate polarizing environments with confidence.
Key Takeaways from Q3
Economic volatility emerged as a top Q3 issue. Tariff-related price increases impacted consumer confidence, paving the way for “price gouging” criticisms. Investors pressed for clarity amid job market instability, while corporate leaders expressed concern over sustained anti-American sentiment abroad.
Companies faced increased scrutiny over climate goals. Federal rollbacks of climate reporting mandates further divided partisan policymaker agendas at the state level, exposing firms with net-zero goals to unclear guidelines, political pressure, and activist backlash.
Immigration actions from the Trump administration increasingly targeted corporations. ICE workplace enforcement and H-1B visa uncertainty brought corporate hiring and labor policies under new political and media scrutiny. Labor shortages due to mass deportations also exposed brands to operational challenges and economic impacts.
What to Watch in Q4
Multinational corporations could face further climate reporting uncertainty when international leaders convene to discuss private sector climate practices at COP30 in November. Concurrently, concerns about job security—driven by a softening labor market and AI-related displacement—may further heighten workforce anxiety.
Download the full report to learn about the top areas driving reputational risk in the coming months.
Methodology
Gravity Research’s Risk Index leverages our unique methodology to calculate a quantitative score assessing the reputational risk of today’s most pressing societal issues. Our analysis identifies the key factors driving risk and forecasts how risk could shift over the next quarter, empowering business leaders to strategically manage their brand reputation and communicate upwards about where to prioritize their efforts.
