Chevron blames regulations, cleanups for $4B write-off

The energy giant said California’s regulatory landscape and cleanup of decommissioned Gulf of Mexico sites are estimated to cost the company at least $3.5 billion.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 4, 2024

IRS unlocks 15% corporate minimum tax’s handcuffs

The guidance is the latest in a slew of IRS directives issued as questions have swirled around the new tax on big companies.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 3, 2024

CFO optimism rises on outlook for 2024 economy: Fed

Financial executives expect solid business performance in 2024, forecasting on average 5% revenue growth and a 2.7% expansion in payrolls.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 2, 2024

Fifth Third shakes up executive suite

The Cincinnati lender is getting a new COO, CFO and treasurer, all from the inside.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Dec. 20, 2023

IPOs rise on prospect of Fed interest rate cuts: EY

High-profile IPOs in September by companies including Arm Holdings and Instacart renewed C-suite and investor interest in the market.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 19, 2023

US regulators flag commercial real estate as a leading risk in 2024

“Signs of stress emerged in 2023, and the market outlook is challenging” for commercial real estate, according to the Financial Stability Oversight Council.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 18, 2023

Small businesses limp toward 2024 with gloomier outlook, surveys show

Confidence among CEOs and economists in the prospects for the economy is not shared by small businesses.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 14, 2023

Fed holds main rate steady, signals deeper cuts to borrowing costs in 2024

Policymakers paused monetary tightening for the third consecutive meeting as traders in interest rate futures bet the Fed will begin easing in the spring.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 13, 2023

Core inflation edges up, spotlighting Fed’s bumpy path to stable prices

Traders in interest rate futures shook off the core CPI data, predicting that the Fed will leave the main interest rate unchanged on Wednesday after a two-day meeting.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 12, 2023

SEC busts pre-IPO fraud scheme that bilked 4,000 investors worldwide

Swindlers made their false pitch of no upfront fees in podcasts and videos on Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media platforms, the SEC said.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 11, 2023

Most economists put odds of recession at 50% or less: NABE

A report Tuesday of declining job vacancies bolstered optimism that the labor market will cool without pushing up unemployment much beyond the 3.9% level in October.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 5, 2023

Powell does not rule out Fed rate hike even while noting slower inflation

The Fed chief suggested that borrowing costs will remain high for the foreseeable future despite recent signs that inflation, hiring and economic growth are slowing.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 1, 2023

Retailers have a crime problem. It’s in the numbers.

The issue is complex and often clouded by imprecise data — sometimes from the industry itself.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 1, 2023

Inflation, consumer spending cool, validating pause in Fed rate hikes

Fed officials have recently noted progress in curbing price pressures but cautioned against expectations of sustained disinflation or an imminent cut to borrowing costs.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 30, 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

4 CFO tips for spurring growth through innovation: McKinsey

More than eight out of 10 CEOs believe innovation is key to outperformance, but only 6% are satisfied with their companies’ track record in creativity, McKinsey said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 27, 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

‘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

IRS ERC freeze rattles some business filers. There’s a bright side.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel ordered the moratorium on ERC claim processing following concerns about filers being scammed by aggressive claim promoters.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 7, 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

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