CEO pessimism eases as tariff-induced worries decline: survey

Risks from import duties have ebbed somewhat since April but still cloud the outlook for price pressures, the job market and economic growth, according to economists.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 8, 2025

Recurring jobless claims surge to highest level since 2021

The labor market is cooling as inflation heats up, posing a challenge for Federal Reserve policymakers mandated by Congress to ensure full employment and price stability.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 7, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from CFO Dive

Tarifff headwinds along with the accounting talent shortage and the promises and traps of generative AI, are among the top issues CFOs are grappling with this year.

By CFO Dive staff

Voter confidence in U.S. fiscal outlook falls to 13-month low: survey

The Peterson Foundation poll suggests that the White House has not persuaded most voters that a massive tax-and-spending bill enacted last month will eventually reduce the federal debt.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 6, 2025

Service sector slows, employment falls as tariffs take hold: ISM survey

Consumer spending on both services and goods has fallen this year compared with last year, growing just 1.4% during the second quarter.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 5, 2025

Cybersecurity budgets tighten as economic anxiety rises

Uncertain tariff policies and fluctuating inflation and interest rates are leading to stagnant or reduced budgets, according to an IANS Research report.

By Alexei Alexis • Aug. 5, 2025

Labor market outlook dims, with jobs harder to get: Conference Board

The Trump administration’s back-and-forth approach to tariff negotiations has prompted companies to forgo hiring, economists said.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 4, 2025

Pitney Bowes replaces CFO after only months in seat

CEO Kurt Wolf said he previously served on the board of GameStop with Pitney Bowes’ newly-minted CFO Paul Evans.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Aug. 1, 2025

US to install country-specific tariffs Aug. 7

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday officially codifying rates for over 60 trading partners while pushing back implementation by seven days.

By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 1, 2025

Inflation rises, affirming Fed decision to hold benchmark rate steady

President Donald Trump lashed out at Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting the federal funds rate on Wednesday.

By Jim Tyson • July 31, 2025

Fed holds main rate steady, overriding two dissenting votes

The mix of a cooling labor market and stubborn, above-target inflation has posed a dilemma for the central bank while breaking unanimity among policymakers.

By Jim Tyson • Updated July 30, 2025

Construction pros react to interest rate decision

The Federal Reserve held rates steady Wednesday afternoon, dashing hopes for a summer cut, but builders are adjusting their strategies to stay on the job.

By Sebastian Obando • July 30, 2025

Consumer confidence inches up despite signs of weakening labor market

Indications of a cooling job market recently prompted Federal Reserve officials to voice openness toward cutting borrowing costs at a monetary policy meeting that ends Wednesday.

By Jim Tyson • July 29, 2025

KPMG revives bid for SVB complaint dismissal

In June a California judge denied motions to dismiss claims in a class action suit against SVB Financial Group’s former CFO, CEO, directors and auditor.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • July 29, 2025

AI spending above $10M jumps as agentic tools grab spotlight

Nearly three-quarters of senior leaders believe that entire business units will one day be managed by agentic AI, EY researchers found.

By Alexei Alexis • July 29, 2025

Trump AI plan allows wide room for denying funds to states

The plan is silent on how the administration will define “burdensome” state AI rules for the purpose of withholding federal funds.

By Alexei Alexis • July 29, 2025

Microsoft says H-1B visas, layoffs ‘in no way’ related

Scrutiny of the tech giant’s use of the visa program comes at the end of a month in which the company announced deep job cuts. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • July 28, 2025

27% of US companies plan to delay hiring or investment: NABE survey

“Their uncertainty may be holding businesses in a neutral state,” Cotality Chief Economist Selma Hepp said.

By Jim Tyson • July 28, 2025

US, EU agree to lower tariffs in ‘framework’ deal

Most imports from the bloc would face a 15% tariff under the pact, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Sunday.

By Philip Neuffer • July 28, 2025

Businesses get more predictable tax runway: EY

Many companies are still “running the numbers” to determine how Trump’s budget will effect their bottom line, but it ushers in a period of “relative tax certainty,” EY’s Adam Francis says.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • July 25, 2025

CFOs face surging trade compliance costs under Trump’s high tariffs: Fed

Much of the new regulatory cost from higher tariffs stems from greater complexity in determining the national source of a product, according to the Federal Reserve.

By Jim Tyson • July 25, 2025

SEC declines to confirm whether climate disclosure rule will be upheld if it survives litigation

The agency told an appeals court it “does not intend to review or reconsider” the rule but did not confirm whether it would enforce it if legal challenges against the rule fail.

By Zoya Mirza • July 25, 2025

PCAOB slams Hong Kong auditor of Luckin Coffee

Luckin Coffee hired the Hong Kong-based auditing firm soon after settling fraud charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020.

By Jim Tyson • July 23, 2025

Trump releases AI action plan targeting regulatory ‘red tape’

The plan states that AI-related federal funding should not go to states with burdensome rules on the technology.

By Alexei Alexis • Updated July 24, 2025

IPOs surge 35% in H1 despite policy shifts, market volatility: EY

Global capital markets this year are apparently adapting to political and geopolitical shocks, improving the outlook for IPOs, EY said.

By Jim Tyson • July 22, 2025

White House poised to unveil plan easing AI regulation

An executive order signed by President Trump in late January called for the development of an “AI action plan” within 180 days.

By Alexei Alexis • July 22, 2025