Retail sales rose 0.6% in November despite weak consumer sentiment

The outlook among consumers, though brighter than in September, is still gloomier than in early 2025, according to recent surveys.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 14, 2026

Inflation holds steady, affirming Fed focus on weak job market

“Risks to employment have increased as the labor market cooled, while the upside risks to inflation have lessened somewhat,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 13, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Navigating risk in turbulent times

CFOs must help their organizations mitigate risks by balancing the need for both growth and stability. 

By CFO Dive staff

DOJ probe of Powell triggers bipartisan fire against Trump administration

Powell said the motive behind the investigation “should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.”

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 12, 2026

Increased filings and underwriter appetite mark IPO landscape

Increasing filings and growing underwriter demand create fresh opportunities and challenges for companies preparing to go public.

Jan. 12, 2026

Trump deregulation era requires CFOs to tread carefully

Finance chiefs still need strong internal controls because the absence or easing of regulation does not absolve responsibility, Armanino’s Chris Gagliardi writes.

By Chris Gagliardi • Jan. 12, 2026

Hiring declines as employers take cautious view of new year

Following release of employment data, traders in interest rate futures raised the odds that the Fed will leave the main rate unchanged at a meeting late this month.

By Jim Tyson , Alexei Alexis • Jan. 9, 2026

Productivity speeds up to fastest clip in two years: BLS

Declining wage pressures, as revealed in Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Thursday, may slow inflation toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 8, 2026

‘Strategic openings’: 5 CFO trends for 2026

Financial executives in the new year must keep a competitive edge by adapting to trends including fluctuating tariff rates and refocusing of priorities at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 7, 2026

FTC nixes order against AI startup, citing Trump directive

The move, which stems from President Trump’s 2025 AI action plan, shows the FTC’s willingness to afford AI firms “a relatively longer leash,” Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein attorneys wrote.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 6, 2026

Fraud attacks expected to ramp up in AI ‘perfect storm’

2026 is poised to be “the year of impersonation attacks” amid an explosion of AI-powered tools, a fraud prevention expert said.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 6, 2026

CFO security tips: Beyond bodyguards

The 2024 fatal shooting of a UnitedHealthcare executive in Midtown Manhattan has led many companies to reexamine their corporate security procedures.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Dec. 23, 2025

Senate bill would allow AI firms to be sued over unauthorized data use

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., says she plans to formally introduce the bill in the new year to codify President Trump’s push for “one federal rule book” for AI.

By Alexei Alexis • Dec. 22, 2025

Consumer sentiment inches up despite anxiety over jobs, inflation

Recent data have likely done little to ease consumer worries, with the unemployment rate rising last month to 4.6%, the highest level in four years.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 19, 2025

Inflation unexpectedly falls to 2.7% after shutdown crimped measurement

Given concerns about potentially distorted inflation data, futures traders only increased by 2 percentage points the probability of a monetary policy easing next month.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 18, 2025

Build resilience into 2026 risk, finance strategy, Marsh McLennan Agency president advises CFOs

To build an effective risk management strategy for the coming year, CFOs need to tackle risk holistically, rather than independently, Marsh McLennan Agency’s Matt Stadler said.  

By Grace Noto • Dec. 18, 2025

CFO confidence rebounds despite capital market valuation worries: Deloitte

Overall CFO confidence in business and the economy notched the highest level since late 2021, according to Deloitte’s latest CFO Signals report.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Dec. 17, 2025

Unemployment rises to 4.6%, highest level in more than four years

The rising jobless rate bolsters the Dec. 10 Federal Reserve decision to firm up the labor market by trimming the main interest rate by a quarter point.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 16, 2025

[Podcast] Unlocking AI Readiness in Financial Services

This podcast explores how CFOs can build AI readiness to unlock operational efficiency, manage risk, and create long-term strategic value.

Dec. 16, 2025

Trump AI order introduces ‘unstable regulatory landscape’: analysis

The executive order opens a “pandora’s box of not only constitutional issues, but also issues pertaining to the EO’s interpretation and scope,” legal analysts said.

By Alexei Alexis • Dec. 16, 2025

CEO confidence rises amid planning to reduce employment

Among surveyed CEOs, 31% identified labor costs as the biggest force behind inflation, the Business Roundtable said.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 12, 2025

AuditBoard CAO on bridging the risk, action divide

With the frequency of change and the complexity of risk growing, finding a way to translate strategy into action is even more critical for finance chiefs, AuditBoard’s Tina Yeh said.

By Grace Noto • Dec. 11, 2025

Fed trims main rate by quarter-point, forecasts one cut in 2026

Policymakers reduced borrowing costs for the third time in 2025 amid persistent signs of cooling in the labor market.

By Jim Tyson • Updated Dec. 10, 2025

Job openings rise to five-month high as hiring slows: BLS

Futures traders expect that a divided Federal Reserve will trim the main interest rate by a quarter point on Wednesday, giving way to officials concerned about shoring up the labor market.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 9, 2025

Firms’ AI goals prioritize growth over job cuts: EY

“The data challenges the prevailing ‘headline news’ narrative that AI’s primary role is replacing the workforce,” EY’s Dan Diasio said.

By Alexei Alexis • Dec. 9, 2025

Trump pledges order addressing patchwork of state AI laws

The move comes after the president and big tech unsuccessfully pushed for congressional action on the issue.

By Alexei Alexis • Dec. 9, 2025