Up from the ashes: retailing CFOs get ready for a consumer rush

Retailing CFOs preparing for a "spring-loaded" consumer splurge provide insights for financial executives in industries less challenged by the coronavirus.

By Jim Tyson • May 18, 2021

Colonial hack a wake-up call to CFOs with legacy systems

Older systems leave finance and accounting operational data at risk of breach, security specialists say.

By Ted Knutson • May 14, 2021

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

Bankers' main CFO gripe: lack of transparency

CFOs and their treasurers can get more from their banking relationships if they treat them more as partnerships than customer-seller transactions, banking specialists say.

By Ted Knutson • May 13, 2021

Only 20% of CFOs can forecast revenue, earnings beyond a year: survey

Even after the pandemic shock, most CFOs forgo effective scenario planning and more than half lack the ability to forecast revenue and earnings beyond six months, according to a Prophix Software survey.

By Jim Tyson • May 11, 2021

Companies losing out as insurers skirt rebates

Health carriers are said to be strategically overestimating how much they use premiums to pay claims to avoid returning money to policyholders.

By Robert Freedman • May 11, 2021

As SEC ramps up SPAC rules, lawsuits could follow

The Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to step up scrutiny of special purpose acquisition companies. If it does, sponsors and investors could start challenging it in courts, a former SEC commissioner says.

By Robert Freedman • May 10, 2021

Half of companies lack LIBOR phase-out plan: Duff & Phelps

Despite regulatory pressure, more than half of financial services firms have not determined when they will stop using LIBOR in new contracts, according to a Duff & Phelps survey.

By Jim Tyson • May 10, 2021

Companies ignoring ESG may become 'uninvestable,' says investment bank chief

Interest in sustainability goals is growing "enormously" and companies that ignore the trend risk rejection by investors, according to Larry Wieseneck, co-president of investment bank Cowen.

By Jim Tyson • May 7, 2021

Up from the ashes: Restaurant CFOs prepare for boom

Profit-hungry restaurant CFOs blindsided by the pandemic get ready for robust economic growth, offering lessons for leaders in less-stressed industries.

By Jim Tyson • May 6, 2021

Rising inflation, higher taxes pose 'headwinds' to growth, Schenker says

Look for 'eye-popping inflation numbers' and 'horse trading' on taxes as potential economic drags, economist Jason Schenker says. 

By Jim Tyson • May 6, 2021

Trump CFO Weisselberg on shaky ground by claiming ignorance

Although CFOs aren’t expected to make legal decisions, they don’t have the luxury of a "don’t ask, don’t tell" approach, legal specialists say, because the financial and legal sides of complex issues are intertwined. 

By Ted Knutson • May 6, 2021

'Gender bonds' empowering women likely to improve issuers' credit outlook: Moody's

Issuance of bonds tied to women’s economic empowerment will likely grow while boosting issuers’ credit standing, Moody’s said.

By Jim Tyson • May 5, 2021

ESG investing fails to outperform: study

ESG investing offers neither superior returns nor risk protection, and investors seeking outperformance are looking “in the wrong place,” a Scientific Beta study finds.

By Jim Tyson • May 4, 2021

Corporate inversions could return under Biden tax plan

Despite hurdles, companies could merge with a smaller foreign company and relocate outside the U.S. to avoid a big tax bite.

By Robert Freedman • May 4, 2021

Biden climate policy poses credit risks for 'carbon-intensive' companies: Moody's

Biden administration plans for curbing climate change will increase credit risks for companies in carbon-intensive industries while creating business opportunities, Moody’s said.

By Jim Tyson • April 30, 2021

Multinationals reported $6.16B in negative forex exposure for Q4: study

A decline in negative foreign exchange impact during the fourth quarter was probably "the calm before the storm" that likely occurred during the first quarter of 2021, according to Kyriba.

By Jim Tyson • April 29, 2021

Biden plan would increase taxes on multinationals by $1.2 trillion over 10 years: study

Biden’s proposal to raise corporate taxes to fund $2 trillion in infrastructure spending would harm U.S. competitiveness, the Tax Foundation says.

By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2021

CFO role has grown during pandemic: Accenture

CFOs have taken on greater responsibilities since the onset of COVID-19, especially those at government agencies handling record pandemic aid, Accenture said.

By Jim Tyson • April 27, 2021

Up from the ashes: How airline CFOs are preparing for the post-pandemic rebound

CFOs of airlines challenged by the pandemic are preparing for a rebound in demand, offering lessons for financial executives in less-stressed industries.

By Jim Tyson • April 26, 2021

SPAC market during Q1 showed 'explosive growth': Duff & Phelps

The SPAC market boomed during the first quarter of 2021, Duff & Phelps said, noting that SPAC warrants this month have come under regulatory scrutiny.

By Jim Tyson • April 23, 2021

Businesses can only expect limited boost from stimulus checks: Fed study

Households have channeled federal stimulus checks primarily towards savings or reducing debt, giving businesses just a limited lift from consumer spending, according to the Fed.

By Jim Tyson • April 22, 2021

New SPAC scrutiny demands solid forecasts

The Securities and Exchange Commission has signaled there’s no safe harbor for merger-related forward guidance if numbers aren’t justified.

By Robert Freedman • April 20, 2021

Rising number of IRS corporate audits end in 'no change': tax expert

Companies have outgunned IRS auditors with high-paid accountants and attorneys, pushing up the number of audits that result in no change to tax filings, tax experts say.

By Jim Tyson • April 20, 2021

Democrats, Republicans finalizing draft LIBOR bill, pledging cooperation

The legislative effort to smooth the phase-out of LIBOR will test whether the two parties can cooperate in heeding warnings from regulators of systemic risk.

By Jim Tyson • April 19, 2021

SEC cybersecurity tactics point to ESG approach, attorney says

As the Securities and Exchange Commission builds investor protections on sustainable investing, CFOs can look to the agency's approach to cybersecurity for hints on how to prepare for disclosure rules and enforcement actions.

By Jim Tyson • April 15, 2021