Study: Digital finance helped CFOs obtain pandemic aid

Government multiplied the impact of PPP and other aid thanks to the robust digital infrastructure in place, a McKinsey study found.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 1, 2021

Companies that divested assets achieved high EBITDA growth: study

Especially for those facing earnings pressure, companies that divested during a downturn were able to boost cash flow, PwC says.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 1, 2021

5 CFO tips for tapping today's abundant capital

Record monetary and fiscal stimulus is flooding markets with liquidity, giving CFOs an unusual opportunity to improve capital structure.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 29, 2021

Survey: US companies retrenched less during pandemic than firms in China, India

The coronavirus has compelled fewer staff and pay cuts among U.S. companies than among firms in China, India and the Middle East, according to a survey from the Institute of Management Accountants.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 28, 2021

SBA approves over $5B in loans during first week of PPP re-opening

Amid mounting costs from the pandemic, the SBA begins a new round of Paycheck Protection Program lending approved by Congress in December.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2021

IRS postpones date for companies to repay deferred payroll taxes

Companies now must repay 2020 taxes delayed as part of pandemic-related relief by Dec. 31, rather than April 30.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 21, 2021

Yellen: Small business, COVID-19 aid more important than deficits right now

The Biden Administration wants to amend rather than repeal the 2017 tax law by eliminating some benefits to large companies and the highest-income taxpayers, the Treasury nominee said during her confirmation hearing.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 20, 2021

4 ways CFOs can cut waste in spending on the cloud

The typical company wastes as much as 35% of its cloud budget, estimates show. Wasteful spending rose as many companies rushed to move operations into the cloud during the pandemic.  

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 18, 2021

CFOs, HR leaders optimistic about recovery in 2021, survey finds

Financial executives at emerging and mid-market businesses expect COVID-19 vaccine distributions this year to brighten the economic outlook.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 14, 2021

North American M&A deal volume hits record Q4, survey finds

Although deal-makers shook off the pandemic during the fourth quarter, total global transactions fell last year to the lowest level since the mortgage finance crisis.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 12, 2021

Non-PPP forgivable loan help available to startups, other SMBs

Even companies unscathed by the pandemic can get months of debt service payments made on their behalf without having to repay the assistance.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 6, 2021

Hotels, restaurants to get larger PPP loans

The second round expands eligible uses to cloud computing and other operational expenses as well as essential supplies.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 5, 2021

COVID-19 upends some companies' dividend-or-buyback calculation

How thinly a stock is traded, its current book value and the availability of alternative uses of cash weigh into the buyback-or-dividend decision, finance leaders say.

By Ramona Dzinkowski • Jan. 1, 2021

New type of direct listing promises cheaper, more lucrative IPOs

The SEC approved primary direct floor listings in December. Critics worry these new listings will brew trouble.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 1, 2021

Companies see covenant, indenture loosening as investors hunt for yield

The more frequent elimination of ratio debt is one of the key leveraged loan and high-yield bond trends this year.   

By Ted Knutson • Dec. 20, 2020

Feds OK 18-month LIBOR reprieve

Existing instruments are expected to be main beneficiaries; new issues still on track to use different rates.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 14, 2020

Don't rush into public equity if you're succeeding privately, CFOs say

Remaining private brings benefits if you have the right partners, finance leaders say.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 22, 2020

Using KPIs to ensure product market fit

Metrics, not investor interest, are the only way to know whether a SaaS business has staying power, a top Silicon Valley capital provider says.  

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 11, 2020

COVID-19 driving rise in loan portability

Between the pandemic, election, international trade and low interest rates, it’s a perfect storm for debt to carry with a company to a new owner as a way to speed sales.

By Ted Knutson • Nov. 2, 2020

Matching loan type to business stage

Whether you take out a growth capital term loan, asset-based loan, revolving line of credit or traditional venture debt, extending your runway depends on where your company sits on its growth curve.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 27, 2020

Shifting to revenue growth from margin improvement

CFO Sachin Patel helped healthcare data analytics company Apixio drive a strategy focused on lifetime customer value. 

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 22, 2020

Pandemic elevates treasury function while exposing its performance gaps

Treasurers have been key in their organization's efforts to keep cash on hand, but their skills have room for improvement, a survey shows.    

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 12, 2020

Fed expands Main Street program, cuts loan threshold by half

The central bank is including larger companies, but some small-business advocates and industry leaders say the $500,000 minimum loan is still too high.

By Anna Hrushka • May 1, 2020

CFOs look to credit lines, bond markets for cash

It’s crunch time for CFOs as they help their companies navigate the downturn.

By Robert Freedman • April 13, 2020

Cash flow is king as CFOs weather coronavirus disruption

Maximize customer touchpoints based on value, not volume, to bring in the most cash, a consultant advises, as part of a strategy to get through the uncertainties ahead. 

By Ted Knutson • March 29, 2020