Fed holds main rate steady, signals deeper cuts to borrowing costs in 2024

Policymakers paused monetary tightening for the third consecutive meeting as traders in interest rate futures bet the Fed will begin easing in the spring.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 13, 2023

Core inflation edges up, spotlighting Fed’s bumpy path to stable prices

Traders in interest rate futures shook off the core CPI data, predicting that the Fed will leave the main interest rate unchanged on Wednesday after a two-day meeting.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 12, 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

Cybersecurity pressures stretch CFOs

CFOs are bracing for new SEC cybersecurity rules set to kick in this month as the regulator is already signaling an aggressive enforcement posture.

By Alexei Alexis • Dec. 12, 2023

SEC busts pre-IPO fraud scheme that bilked 4,000 investors worldwide

Swindlers made their false pitch of no upfront fees in podcasts and videos on Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media platforms, the SEC said.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 11, 2023

Most accountants back AI, viewing it as productivity boost: Moss Adams

Accountants also flagged several potential downsides from rapid AI adoption, including poor work quality, flawed data and undetected bias.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 8, 2023

Talent tops 2024 CFO risks: Protiviti

Risks relating to talent shortages, inflation and generative AI remain top of mind for finance chiefs as they look forward to 2024, Protiviti’s survey found.

By Grace Noto • Dec. 8, 2023

SEC approves new PCAOB audit confirmation standards targeting fraud

Since early 2021, SEC Chair Gary Gensler has called on the PCAOB to more aggressively oversee the accounting firms that audit publicly listed companies.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 7, 2023

Auditors say accountant shortage ramps up work pressure: CAQ

A decline in the pool for accounting talent has prompted many U.S. companies to raise pay and provide greater workplace flexibility.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 6, 2023

Most economists put odds of recession at 50% or less: NABE

A report Tuesday of declining job vacancies bolstered optimism that the labor market will cool without pushing up unemployment much beyond the 3.9% level in October.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 5, 2023

PayPal venture arm backs Israeli data privacy startup

The funding boost comes as data privacy management startup Mine seeks to increase its hiring in the U.S.

By Alexei Alexis • Dec. 5, 2023

Payments processor Tipalti investigating ransomware attack

The Alphv ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday and threatened to extort Tipalti customers with allegedly stolen data.

By Matt Kapko • Dec. 4, 2023

Powell does not rule out Fed rate hike even while noting slower inflation

The Fed chief suggested that borrowing costs will remain high for the foreseeable future despite recent signs that inflation, hiring and economic growth are slowing.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 1, 2023

Retailers have a crime problem. It’s in the numbers.

The issue is complex and often clouded by imprecise data — sometimes from the industry itself.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 1, 2023

Inflation, consumer spending cool, validating pause in Fed rate hikes

Fed officials have recently noted progress in curbing price pressures but cautioned against expectations of sustained disinflation or an imminent cut to borrowing costs.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 30, 2023

Insurers hit with attorneys’ fees after trying to get out of indemnifying policyholders

A New York Supreme Court ruling creates precedent in the way it makes the loser in an insurance matter pay its client.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 30, 2023

Health care benefit costs surge 9.8%: WTW

High inflation and strains from COVID-19 prolonged a trend of rising medical care costs.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 29, 2023

Consumer confidence rises after a three-month decline: Conference Board

The gain in consumer confidence preceded a surge in online spending on Black Friday.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 28, 2023

‘Rough ride’: 5 CFO tips for cutting insurance costs amid climate change

CFOs facing more destructive weather and soaring insurance costs can take five steps to hold down premiums.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 26, 2023

Weaker consumer spending to trigger mild recession in 2024: Fannie Mae

Consumer sentiment sagged this month, a survey showed, bolstering forecasts that holiday sales and consumer spending will decline in coming weeks.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 22, 2023

Economy sputtering toward ‘very short recession’: Conference Board

The economy will likely shrink in coming months and end 2024 with just lackluster growth, the Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 20, 2023

Palo Alto revenue surges amid ‘unprecedented’ cyberthreats

Escalating cyberthreats and related regulatory pressures are keeping customer demand high, the company’s CEO said.

By Alexei Alexis • Nov. 16, 2023

Retail sales fall, adding to signs economy cooling after hot Q3 growth

Gradual declines in consumer spending, hiring and inflation suggest that the Federal Reserve may achieve a “soft landing” for the economy.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 15, 2023

‘Cash is king’ carries new weight in high-rate, SVB era

The higher cost of capital has executives doubling down on cash by incentivizing customers to pay sooner and holding inventory reins tighter, according to panelists at the MIT Sloan CFO Summit.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 15, 2023

Inflation slows, spurring bets Fed will start cutting rates in May

Price pressures declined last month in all major categories except for food, the Labor Department reported.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 14, 2023

Fed whipsawed on key signals for inflation expectations

With just a month before their next meeting, Fed officials are tracking expectations for inflation as a sign of whether businesses will raise prices and workers will demand higher pay.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 13, 2023