Risk management

Companies need to align efforts at disclosure, cybersecurity: SEC attorney

The SEC aims to protect investors from cyber-related risks by cracking down on companies that release misleading disclosures about cyberattacks, according to the top attorney in the agency’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit.

By Jim Tyson • May 13, 2022

U.S. regulators see 'endgame' to LIBOR phaseout

Winding down LIBOR has reached the final stage as businesses increasingly borrow using an alternative reference rate, U.S. regulators said.

By Jim Tyson • May 12, 2022

General counsel face heightened liability risk as SEC seeks to drop SPAC safe harbor

Projections to attract shareholders could trigger lawsuits as plaintiffs’ attorneys take advantage of what amounts to a shift in the burden of proof to operating companies.

By Robert Freedman • May 12, 2022

SEC fines NVIDIA $5.5M for failing to disclose cryptomining impact

NVIDIA rode the rush into crypto assets as customers used its gaming devices for cryptomining. The SEC penalized the company for allegedly not disclosing how it gained from the crypto boom.

By Jim Tyson • May 11, 2022

Moderna CFO exits abruptly amid probe at former company

Jorge Gomez's departure came just one day after he took the reins as CFO of Moderna, which has become a household name due to the rapid development and success of its coronavirus vaccine. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 11, 2022

Inflation pounds small business optimism to 48-year low

While the NFIB said price pressures have eroded optimism, the Federal Reserve warned that rising interest rates may complicate efforts by companies to pay off debt.

By Jim Tyson • May 10, 2022

Judge dismisses class action against Wells Fargo, former CEO, ex-CFO

Investors led by a retirement fund for Hawaii state employees failed to prove the bank unjustifiably inflated loans, understated loss reserves or misstated its practices, a judge ruled Friday.

By Robin Bradley • May 9, 2022

Skanska posts 21% dip in Q1 profits as CFO cites inflation

Skanska CFO Magnus Persson, while citing a drag from inflation, identifies infrastructure spending as a future bright spot.

By Zachary Phillips • May 6, 2022

Professional workers 'significantly' harder to hire, retain: Conference Board

CFOs are offering higher pay, more generous benefits and greater workplace flexibility in order to overcome the tightest labor market in years.

By Jim Tyson • May 5, 2022

Global ESG standard-setting gains speed

CFOs seeking to provide shareholders with more sustainability data must choose from a patchwork of inconsistent measurement frameworks. Regulators and other standard setters worldwide are now building a consensus behind uniform rules for gauging sustainability.

By Jim Tyson • May 4, 2022

SEC to nearly double crypto enforcement unit

The agency is adding 20 supervisors, investigative staff attorneys, trial counsels and fraud analysts to the team that currently has 30 dedicated positions. 

By Robin Bradley • May 3, 2022

Fed probably needs to curb GDP growth to 1% to quell inflation: Moody's

CFOs navigating an unusual array of profit threats — from supply chain disruptions to the possibility of a new COVID-19 variant — may need to add stagflation to their roster of risks.

By Jim Tyson • May 2, 2022

FASB explores single consolidation model

“We can bring some order to this area where I think we’re hearing very clearly that order is needed,” said Richard Jones, FASB chair.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 29, 2022

SEC sues Brazilian mining firm, alleging false ESG claims

The agency that supervises Wall Street, seeking to ensure accurate sustainability disclosures, sued a Brazilian company for allegedly misleading investors about safety before a dam collapse killed scores of nearby residents.

By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2022

Most executives admit to ESG 'greenwashing': survey

Companies overstate their commitment to sustainability as investors, regulators, lawmakers and other stakeholders push for adherence to environmental, social and governance best practices.

By Jim Tyson • April 27, 2022

Profit expectations fall at US companies, NABE says

The business outlook has grown hazier amid Federal Reserve plans to reduce stimulus, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and doubts about the stability of supply chains tied to China.

By Jim Tyson • April 25, 2022

Most companies unable to gauge whether suppliers meet ESG goals: survey

Companies that collect data about their suppliers can gain insights needed to influence suppliers’ behavior on carbon emissions and other sustainability goals.

By Jim Tyson • April 20, 2022

SEC alleges Brazilian ex-CFO planted false Berkshire Hathaway story

Fernando Passos used a fabricated shareholder list and a fake email as part of a scheme to bolster his false Berkshire Hathaway claim and pump up IRB's flagging stock, according to the complaint.   

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 20, 2022

SEC swats pest control company with $8M penalty for accounting flaws

Rollins Inc., a global exterminator company, adjusted its accounting reserves in order to increase its EPS by 1 cent and meet quarterly forecasts.

By Jim Tyson • April 19, 2022

CFO clout rising amid pandemic, other challenges: McKinsey

The influence of CFOs is growing across a range of decision making, including M&A, investor relations and digital transformation.

By Jim Tyson • April 18, 2022

CFOs eye hybrid office savings; firms grow in place

While some companies have sought to dump office leases, others are looking to keep a lid on costs by quietly accommodating more hybrid workers in existing space.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 18, 2022

Russia-Ukraine war to stoke U.S. inflation, slow growth

While ending a period of easy money, the Federal Reserve may have trouble reducing inflation to its 2% target without tipping the economy into a recession, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • April 14, 2022

Republican lawmakers slam SEC climate-risk disclosure proposal

SEC Chair Gary Gensler says that a new regime of disclosure standards would answer the demand from investors for detailed information about climate risks faced by publicly traded companies.

By Jim Tyson • April 13, 2022

Fed will 'expeditiously' combat inflation, Brainard says

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19 lockdowns in China and the unpredictability of the pandemic have thrust the U.S. economy into a time of “very high uncertainty,” Lael Brainard said.

By Jim Tyson • April 12, 2022

SEC issues guidance on crypto-asset accounting, disclosure

As theft of crypto-assets rises, the SEC is pushing companies to publicly report on the potential costs from such crimes and efforts to curb hacking risks.

By Jim Tyson • April 11, 2022