Small business optimism, spending plans slump: NFIB

A pullback in credit is prompting owners of small businesses to scale back plans for capital expenditures during the next six months.

By Jim Tyson • May 9, 2023

Banks expect to tighten credit throughout 2023: Fed

A pullback in bank credit that began in 2022 has accelerated since a flare-up in financial sector instability started in March.

By Jim Tyson • May 8, 2023

Robust hiring persists despite credit tightening

Unemployment remains unusually low even though the Federal Reserve has sought to curb inflation and trim growth by raising the main interest rate to the highest level since 2007.

By Jim Tyson • May 5, 2023

KPMG’s Stöckle on auditing’s ‘human-machine’ connection

Despite recent technological advances transforming auditing processes, KPMG’s Sebastian Stöckle says people will always play key roles.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 4, 2023

Fed hikes main rate while ‘highly attentive to inflation risks’

The central bank increased borrowing costs even though the failure of First Republic Bank has rekindled concerns about banking system instability.

By Jim Tyson • May 3, 2023

Fed mulls rate hike as wage gains beat forecasts, fuel inflation

Compensation by one measure is rising at the fastest pace since 2008, stoking expectations that policymakers on Wednesday will further increase borrowing costs to quash inflation.

By Jim Tyson • May 2, 2023

Small businesses upbeat about surviving recession: BofA

Robust consumer spending buoyed economic growth during the first quarter amid widespread forecasts of recession.

By Jim Tyson • April 27, 2023

Toys ‘R’ Us specter looms over Bed Bath & Beyond

The home-goods retailer’s mixed signals remind some of Toys “R” Us. The toy retailer filed to reorganize in 2017, only to liquidate its U.S. operations months later.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 27, 2023

Hiring slows, signaling recession risk: NABE

Economists are evenly split on whether the U.S. will fall into recession within the next 12 months, NABE found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • April 24, 2023

Werfel requests 15% IRS funding hike to uncover tax cheats

The IRS streamlined taxpayer services during the current tax season but needs a budget increase for the coming fiscal year to sustain improvements, the agency’s commissioner said.

By Jim Tyson • April 19, 2023

3 CFOs talk shifting ESG headwinds

The nuanced picture that three CFOs painted Tuesday of the business case for ESG sharply contrasted with the backlash that has roiled the public debate recently.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 19, 2023

SEC ‘not a climate policy agency,’ Gensler says

SEC Chair Gary Gensler came under fire from Republican lawmakers for pushing forward with a climate disclosure rule that they said would overstep agency authority and prove too costly for U.S. companies. 

By Jim Tyson • April 18, 2023

Allianz forecasts global jump in insolvencies

Given the expected rise in failing companies, CFOs must carefully vet clients and suppliers to avoid unpaid bills and supply chain disruptions.

By Chris Gaetano • April 18, 2023

Rate hedging for non-bank CFOs

Many firms don’t have exposure to the longer-duration government bonds that hammered Silicon Valley Bank. But there are other rate risks to guard against.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 17, 2023

Credit squeeze likely to trigger recession: IACPM

Federal Reserve economists cited banking turmoil and predicted a mild downturn later this year.

By Jim Tyson • April 14, 2023

Core inflation edges up, bolstering case for Fed tightening

Higher interest rates have not cooled consumer spending, economic growth and the labor market as quickly as expected, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said.

By Jim Tyson • April 12, 2023

Ex-Twitter CEO, CFO’s suit may find Delaware law favorable

Chancery Court has a history favoring bylaw provisions requiring companies to pay executives’ legal costs even when they no longer work for the company.   

By Robert Freedman • April 11, 2023

Small businesses see credit tightening: NFIB

Banking system instability has triggered a pullback in credit and shaken confidence among small businesses, the NFIB found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • April 11, 2023

Ledge seizes on SVB crisis with multi-bank offering

The Israeli finance tech startup decided to expedite the rollout of its new treasury management tool after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

By Alexei Alexis • April 11, 2023

Tax executives expect higher rates of audits, disputes: EY

Tax jurisdictions worldwide are stepping up scrutiny of businesses as they prepare to enact a 15% global minimum corporate tax next year, according to respondents to an EY survey.

By Jim Tyson • April 10, 2023

IRS targets corporate, wealthy tax cheats

The federal tax collector plans to expand enforcement staff and reverse a decline in audit rates for businesses and households earning more than $400,000 per year.

By Jim Tyson • April 7, 2023

Bed Bath & Beyond inks $120M inventory deal

While battling to stave off bankruptcy on multiple fronts, the Union, N.J.-based retailer-is also struggling to keep shelves stocked and vendors paid.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 6, 2023

Fed officials signal more tightening than investors forecast

A credit squeeze following recent banking system turmoil may prompt policymakers to reduce the main interest rate before the end of 2023, according to investors.

By Jim Tyson • April 5, 2023

FASB chooses single software accounting model

The new project marks the first time in decades that the U.S. accounting standard setter is revisiting accounting for software costs.  

By Maura Webber Sadovi • April 5, 2023

Slump in jobs, manufacturing suggest economy softening

Turmoil in the banking system may lead to a tightening in credit, weaker manufacturing and reduced hiring.

By Jim Tyson • April 4, 2023