Inflation inches up, signaling prospect of extended Fed inflation fight

The consumer price index last month rose more than anticipated, with gains in the cost of services staying stubbornly high.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 11, 2024

AR sobriety: How to cut your losses

Late payments mean your company is effectively loaning money at zero interest. It’s time to tighten your billings and collections systems, Dean Kaplan writes.

By Dean Kaplan • Jan. 10, 2024

Economic growth will slow to 1.6% in 2024 as high rates bite: World Bank

The most restrictive monetary policy in 40 years will weigh on growth but probably not trigger a downturn this year and in 2025, the World Bank said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 10, 2024

Seeking ‘Goldilocks’: 5 CFO trends for 2024

Financial executives in the new year must protect profits by adapting to trends ranging from falling price pressures and borrowing costs to federal disclosures on carbon emissions.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 9, 2024

Deloitte rolls out in-house generative AI platform for coding, researching

Around 75,000 employees are beginning to use PairD to assist with daily tasks. The firm expects a total of 100,000 workers will gain access to it in the next six months.

By Lindsey Wilkinson • Jan. 8, 2024

17 states are cutting income taxes this year

Among the states with lower tax burdens is Arkansas, where corporate income tax rates are dropping to 4.80% this year from 5.30%.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 5, 2024

Bankruptcies surge 18% in 2023 as more distress looms

The rise in business failures was one of the darker pieces of last year’s economic puzzle. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 4, 2024

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