Health care benefit costs surge 9.8%: WTW

High inflation and strains from COVID-19 prolonged a trend of rising medical care costs.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 29, 2023

Consumer confidence rises after a three-month decline: Conference Board

The gain in consumer confidence preceded a surge in online spending on Black Friday.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 28, 2023

‘Rough ride’: 5 CFO tips for cutting insurance costs amid climate change

CFOs facing more destructive weather and soaring insurance costs can take five steps to hold down premiums.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 26, 2023

Weaker consumer spending to trigger mild recession in 2024: Fannie Mae

Consumer sentiment sagged this month, a survey showed, bolstering forecasts that holiday sales and consumer spending will decline in coming weeks.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 22, 2023

Economy sputtering toward ‘very short recession’: Conference Board

The economy will likely shrink in coming months and end 2024 with just lackluster growth, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 20, 2023

Palo Alto revenue surges amid ‘unprecedented’ cyberthreats

Escalating cyberthreats and related regulatory pressures are keeping customer demand high, the company’s CEO said.

By Alexei Alexis • Nov. 16, 2023

Retail sales fall, adding to signs economy cooling after hot Q3 growth

Gradual declines in consumer spending, hiring and inflation suggest that the Federal Reserve may achieve a “soft landing” for the economy.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 15, 2023

‘Cash is king’ carries new weight in high-rate, SVB era

The higher cost of capital has executives doubling down on cash by incentivizing customers to pay sooner and holding inventory reins tighter, according to panelists at the MIT Sloan CFO Summit.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 15, 2023

Inflation slows, spurring bets Fed will start cutting rates in May

Price pressures declined last month in all major categories except for food, the Labor Department reported.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 14, 2023

Fed whipsawed on key signals for inflation expectations

With just a month before their next meeting, Fed officials are tracking expectations for inflation as a sign of whether businesses will raise prices and workers will demand higher pay.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 13, 2023

Powell says Fed’s inflation fight ‘has a long way to go’

The Fed needs to see more signs of easing price pressures before declaring an end to monetary tightening, central bank officials said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 9, 2023

MGM Resorts anticipates no further disruptions from September cyberattack

The company expects insurance to cover more than $100 million in losses stemming from lost bookings and disruptions at its Las Vegas properties.

By David Jones • Nov. 9, 2023

PCAOB chief chides auditors for blaming failures on talent shortage

The quality of audits has trended “in the wrong direction for the second year in a row,” PCAOB Chair Erica Williams said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 8, 2023

SEC commissioner suggests ‘re-proposing’ climate risk disclosure rule

Some investors seek broader company disclosures with the aim of promoting social change rather than clarifying stock valuations, SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 7, 2023

Palo Alto agrees to buy Talon Cyber Security in M&A ramp-up

The agreement is Palo Alto Networks’ second acquisition of an Israeli tech startup since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last month.

By Alexei Alexis • Nov. 7, 2023

Combative Trump is lukewarm on ex-CFO’s financial reports

Testifying in the $250 million civil fraud case against him, ex-President Trump pinned the main responsibility for his financial reports on his senior executives and outside accountants.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 6, 2023

Banks tighten standards on loans to companies of all sizes: Fed

Demand for commercial and industrial loans fell during the third quarter as the Fed pushed up the benchmark interest rate to a 22-year high.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 6, 2023

Former FTX CEO found guilty of fraud

Nearly a year after the collapse of his $40 billion cryptocurrency exchange, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty Thursday on seven federal counts.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Nov. 2, 2023

NJ ranks worst in business taxes with NY close behind

The Garden State may rise from dead last in corporate tax rankings if a 2.5% business tax surcharge expires at the end of this year as scheduled, the Tax Foundation said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 2, 2023

SolarWinds CFO avoids charges in SEC action

A cybersecurity suit filed by the SEC names the company’s chief information security officer as a defendant but not its CFO, although the agency previously put both executives on notice.

By Alexei Alexis • Nov. 1, 2023

Companies relying on foreign sales see Q3 earnings slump 4.7%

The dollar rose against other major currencies during the third quarter, eroding revenues at large companies such as Pfizer and Exxon Mobil, FactSet said.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 31, 2023

Biden’s AI order calls for guardrails to protect workers

The effort highlights growing concerns in Washington over the risks posed by artificial intelligence as companies rush to adopt it.

By Alexei Alexis • Oct. 31, 2023

Small businesses imperiled by credit crunch: Goldman

Federal Reserve officials begin meeting Tuesday to assess several crosscurrents in the economy as companies adjust to the highest borrowing costs in 22 years.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 30, 2023

Weighing the benefits: Why more employers are transferring DB risk

Moving away from defined benefit plans as the primary retirement program doesn’t require terminating the plan outright.

Oct. 30, 2023

Gensler says SEC aims to avoid overreach on climate risk rule

The SEC chief has come under fire for proposing that companies release data on the greenhouse gas emissions by their suppliers and customers.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 26, 2023