Whistleblower plan to catch corporate tax cheats gets bipartisan push

Republican and Democratic senators seek to narrow the $630 billion annual tax gap by putting teeth into the IRS whistleblower program.

By Jim Tyson • June 18, 2021

Fed forecasts higher inflation while sustaining record stimulus

Federal Reserve officials increased their forecasts for inflation while holding the benchmark rate at a record low and pushing forward with monthly bond purchases.

By Jim Tyson • June 16, 2021

LIBOR regulators warn of risks of using rates other than SOFR

Regulators urged companies to replace LIBOR with SOFR, warning that other alternative reference rates pose risks of financial instability.

By Jim Tyson • June 14, 2021

Surging inflation may herald start of long-term price trend, economists say

Long-term forces, such as aging populations and a pullback in globalization, will likely stoke inflation for decades, reversing a trend of slow price gains, economists say.

By Jim Tyson • June 10, 2021

Companies get more options in private credit market

The industry showed resilience in the pandemic by helping borrowers renegotiate loan terms.

By Robert Freedman • June 10, 2021

Regulator calls for sunsetting LIBOR in some interest rate swaps in July

A Commodity Futures Trading Commission subcommittee urges a switch in interdealer trading of interest rate swaps from LIBOR to SOFR on July 26.

By Jim Tyson • June 9, 2021

3 strategies to create a cash culture

An estimated $2.5 trillion is tied up in working capital at companies across Europe and the United States. Freeing up that cash could help CFOs reach strategic capital allocation goals.

By Peter Kingma • June 9, 2021

SPAC lawsuits surge over disclosure claims: attorney

Securities and Exchange Commission guidance on SPAC disclosures has spurred a rise in litigation in New York State courts — almost 40 in the past six months.

By Jim Tyson • June 8, 2021

Fed selling of corporate bonds may cause debt issuance 'hiccups': Moody's

A Federal Reserve plan to sell corporate bonds and wind down an emergency credit program won’t significantly alter valuations but signals a change in sentiment, Moody’s Analytics said.

By Jim Tyson • June 4, 2021

AbbVie used 2017 law to lower taxes to 9.5% from 20%: investigation

The Senate Finance Committee announced an investigation into the pharmaceutical company's global tax practices as Biden pushed a broad effort to boost corporate tax revenue.

By Jim Tyson • June 3, 2021

5 CFO tips for limiting harm from inflation

Amid signs of rising inflation, economists and financial executives suggest ways that CFOs can buffer against the damage from unstable prices.

By Jim Tyson • June 2, 2021

Nearly 40% of large companies pose biodiversity threat: Moody's ESG study

A Moody’s study aimed at measuring “biodiversity risks” in investment and lending portfolios found that 38% of 5,300 global companies operate at least one facility causing loss of habitat.

By Jim Tyson • May 28, 2021

Gensler pledges tough SEC scrutiny of SPACs, warning of fraud risk

The SEC will “closely look” at each stage of SPAC financing to ensure adequate investor safeguards, Chair Gary Gensler said in congressional testimony.

By Jim Tyson • May 27, 2021

Getting your working capital ratio right

Whether your ratio should be closer to 1.2 or 1.8 is less important than what your cash conversion cycle is telling you, cash management specialists say.   

By Ted Knutson • May 27, 2021

Biden aims to raise $700B over 10 years with tougher tax enforcement

The Biden administration during the next decade seeks to close the "tax gap" by 10% through more effective IRS pursuit of corporate and individual tax cheats.

By Jim Tyson • May 21, 2021

Legislation needed to smooth transition from LIBOR: Fed official

The Federal Reserve will bar the use of LIBOR in contracts after December 31, Vice Chair Randal Quarles said, underscoring the need for legislation to smooth the switch to a new reference rate.

By Jim Tyson • May 20, 2021

Labor shortages, rising wages intensify inflation threat: Summers

Despite rising wages, many companies are short on workers, signaling a growing threat of inflation, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said.

By Jim Tyson • May 19, 2021

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

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

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

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

'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

Walmart gives suppliers option for early payment to help increase access to capital

The retailer is expanding its early payments program through a partnership with the financial technology company C2FO.

By A.B. Brown • May 5, 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