Consumer confidence sags on outlook for economy, wages

Although emboldened in January by a hot job market, U.S. households may begin to trim spending amid rising prices and borrowing costs, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 28, 2023

Economists push back estimated recession date: NABE

Data on the housing market, employment, manufacturing and other measures of economic performance challenge predictions of imminent recession.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 27, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Compensation: solving the cost-talent puzzle

In today’s strong labor market, CFOs leery of raising wages find creative ways to find and retain key employees.

By CFO Dive staff

3 currency hedging lessons learned

The U.S. dollar has eased off a two-decade high hit in September. U.S. Bank’s Paula Comings is still advising companies to revisit their hedging policies.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Feb. 23, 2023

Fed officials leaned toward more tightening, minutes show

Policymakers on Feb. 1 favored more increases in the main interest rate. Since then data has indicated that inflation remains higher than anticipated.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 22, 2023

CEOs expect recession but pessimism eases from Q4

The Conference Board found in a survey that the outlook among CEOs has brightened compared with the final three months of last year.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 17, 2023

Rapid inflation persists as Fed officials favor higher rates

Federal Reserve policymakers have recently voiced particular concern for persistently high gains in prices for services excluding housing.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 14, 2023

CPAs urge lawmakers to enact ‘fairer’ tax code

The AICPA recommends changes to the tax code as Republicans intensify opposition to the Biden administration’s signature tax policy initiatives.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 13, 2023

Inflation erodes US company growth, return on capital: McKinsey

When facing persistent price pressure, companies need to focus more on sustaining gains in profit margins and return on capital, McKinsey said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 8, 2023

Fed’s Powell sees ‘significant road ahead’ to curb inflation

Fed policymakers will probably push up borrowing costs at coming meetings even though some measures of inflation have eased somewhat, Powell said.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 7, 2023

Fed slows tightening pace but signals more rate hikes to come

Fed Chair Jerome Powell predicted that the U.S. will avoid recession in 2023 while saying the Fed should lean toward tightening too much rather than too little.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 1, 2023

Wage growth slows, blunting threat of wage-price spiral

Federal Reserve policymakers say that a steady decline in wage growth is essential for a sustained easing of inflation.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 31, 2023

Accountants may underestimate impact of Fed tightening: survey

“Further monetary tightening appears inevitable,” the ACCA and IMA said as the Federal Reserve prepared for a two-day policy meeting beginning Tuesday.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 30, 2023

Several states cut corporate tax rates for 2023

Many states are competing for businesses by reducing corporate tax rates as of Jan. 1, the Tax Foundation said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2023

Working from home boosts working time: NBER paper

The number of U.S. employees who work remotely has more than tripled during the pandemic. Workers who forgo a commute spend more time at work, researchers said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 24, 2023

More companies report falling profit margins: NABE

U.S. businesses in the new year face signs that the economy is cooling, including a tapering in consumer spending and a pullback in factory output.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 23, 2023

Unions lose clout even amid high-profile organizing gains

The wages of workers unaffiliated with a union have risen faster in recent years than those of their unionized counterparts.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 20, 2023

Weak retail sales, manufacturing signal cooling economy

The Fed’s fight against inflation, while showing some recent signs of success, may dim prospects for economic growth.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 18, 2023

3 reasons to make accounts receivable a top priority

Unpaid invoices take a nasty bite out of cash flow. Dean Kaplan writes that taking time early on to evaluate receivables and stratify accounts for fast attention will pay off.

By Dean Kaplan • Jan. 18, 2023

US to jack up fees for big mergers

Filing fees are expected to soar this year and companies will need to prepare for increased regulatory scrutiny of M&A deals.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 18, 2023

Biotech CFOs sharpen financing tactics for lean times

In today’s challenging market, some biotech companies are going the extra mile to keep their existing investors, reopening earlier rounds and moving to rolling closings.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 17, 2023

Legal ops chiefs have opportunity amid cost-cut mandates

The systems and processes they put in place could drive cultural change in how law departments carry out their day-to-day work.

By Suman Bhattacharyya • Jan. 12, 2023

M&A spurred share price gains during Q4: WTW

Five trends in deal-making will likely unfold in 2023, including a focus on purchases less than $1 billion and on “friend-shoring” to reduce geopolitical risks to supply chains, WTW said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 11, 2023

Small business optimism falls, recession expected

Owners of small businesses ranked inflation as their top challenge, “lamenting” rising costs that have compelled them to increase prices, the NFIB found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 10, 2023

Profit estimates slump for Q4: FactSet

Earnings forecasts for U.S. companies fell, FactSet said, after the Fed’s aggressive effort to curb inflation increased borrowing costs and dimmed prospects for economic growth.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 9, 2023

4 CFO trends to watch in 2023

Fed efforts to curb inflation, an imbalance in the demand and supply of workers and clarification of accounting standards are among the CFO trends this year.

By Jim Tyson , Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 6, 2023