Core inflation rises, challenging Fed amid banking instability

Even as high inflation persists, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank has undercut expectations that the Fed will step up the pace of monetary tightening.

By Jim Tyson • March 14, 2023

Biden support for depositors may not brighten credit outlook

The high-profile failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature to hedge against interest rate risk may lead to a period of tighter credit, economists and financial advisers said.

By Jim Tyson • March 13, 2023

Wary CFOs get new COVID tax credit warning

The latest IRS warning comes as some CFOs are already hesitant about looking into whether their firm is legitimately eligible for the CARES Act tax credit. 

By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 9, 2023

Powell testimony fuels expectations of half-point Fed rate hike

Fed Chair Jerome Powell told a House committee Wednesday that the central bank is concerned about persistent price pressures and is determined to reduce inflation to its 2% target.

By Jim Tyson • March 8, 2023

Powell says Fed may hike rates more than forecast

Fed Chair Jerome Powell told a Senate committee that reducing inflation to the central bank’s 2% target may not lead to widespread layoffs.

By Jim Tyson • March 7, 2023

IRS Commissioner-nominee pledges to uncover corporate taxes owed

Billions of dollars in new funding for the IRS will not go toward increasing the audit rate for businesses and taxpayers that make less than $400,000 per year, Daniel Werfel said.

By Jim Tyson • March 1, 2023

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

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