Middle East shock hits global growth and prices
by Ben Poole
Global business activity lost momentum sharply in March as the war in the Middle East rattled demand, confidence, supply chains and pricing.
Best Practices & Benchmarking
Background
There is no such thing as general Best Practice, only Good Practices that might be worth using as an indicator of possible practices in your department. Similarly, Benchmarks are not absolute truths.…
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Australia slowdown signals tougher operating environment for corporates
by Ben Poole
Australia’s economy is set to slow sharply over the next year as inflation climbs again, unemployment rises and interest rates stay higher for longer.
Global PMIs flash warning as war drives inflation spike and stalls growth
by Ben Poole
A surge in inflation and a clear loss of growth momentum has begun to filter through the global economy.
44% of Asian corporates add banks as trade shifts bite
by Ben Poole
Asian corporates are expanding their banking networks as shifting trade flows and technology advances reshape cash management across the region.
War clouds improving global business outlook as supply chains rebound
by Ben Poole
Firms entered 2026 with improving confidence and strengthening manufacturing demand, but war in the Middle East now threatens supply chains.
88% of corporates hedge FX as volatility hits profits
by Ben Poole
Firms are adjusting hedge ratios, extending hedge tenors and investing in automation to navigate currency volatility.
Corporates move to rebuild hedges after costly 2025
by Ben Poole
Treasurers are moving back toward currency protection after a year of sharp swings in major currencies and mounting losses from unhedged exposures.
Firmer output meets cautious hiring in January PMIs
by Ben Poole
Global economic activity shows a modest but broad-based improvement at the start of 2026.
The four financial strategies that define ‘efficient growth’ for CFOs
by Ben Poole
#CorporateFinance #Growth #BusinessStrategy #Economy #CashManagement #WorkingCapital #Investments #Sales #CFO
Structured scenario planning separates finance leaders from the rest
by Ben Poole
Finance teams using structured scenario planning report 14% higher alignment with strategic goals.
Two thirds of CFOs expect AI to redefine the finance role in 2026
by Ben Poole
CFOs around the world are increasingly convinced that artificial intelligence will reshape their role over the coming years.
UK CFOs grow more confident in AI as risk appetite steadies
by Ben Poole
UK finance leaders enter 2026 with a cautiously more optimistic outlook on technology investment, particularly around AI.
Corporates turn to AI as tax risk enters a more volatile era
by Ben Poole
Corporates are integrating AI into the core of tax risk management as the list of potential disputes grows.
Part 3: Top areas of focus for corporate treasury in 2026
by Pushpendra Mehta , Executive Writer, CTMfile
Corporate treasury success in 2026 hinges on exceptional leadership, critical skills, and strategic talent development amid growing complexity.
Global supply chains soften further ahead of 2026
by Ben Poole
After a turbulent two years for production lines, global supply chains are entering 2026 in a noticeably quieter state.
AI in treasury moves from promise to practical progress
by Ben Poole
Treasury is now in a transition from rule-based workflows to learning systems and, eventually, autonomous agents.
Finance AI adoption holds steady as treasurers weigh next steps
by Ben Poole
Early AI momentum has cooled as organisations grapple with data, skills, and governance challenges.
Treasury transformation gains pace but certain gaps persist
by Ben Poole
Treasury functions worldwide are accelerating efforts to modernise, but transformation remains uneven.
EY upgrades UK growth forecast to 1.5% for 2025
by Ben Poole
EY has upgraded its forecast for UK GDP growth in 2025 from 1% to 1.5% after economy showed greater momentum than expected.
Cost pressures mount as UK CFOs retreat from investment
by Ben Poole
UK finance leaders are entering Q4 in a cautious mood, with cost expectations rising sharply and profit forecasts falling to multi-year lows.
China powers manufacturing rebound while the West cools
by Ben Poole
China’s factory resurgence drives Asia’s busiest production stretch since mid-2022 while North American and European manufacturers continue to slow.
US CEOs bet on AI as supply chain costs and workforce pressures mount
by Ben Poole
US chief execs are accelerating their investment in AI while rethinking supply chain strategies and workforce models to sustain growth.
How treasurers can transform to create value in uncertain times
by Ben Poole
New EY research highlights that treasurers are now expected to provide insights that shape organisational growth.
Growth holds but confidence slips in September’s flash PMI data
by Ben Poole
Across the Eurozone, UK, and US, services have largely propped up activity, while manufacturing shows renewed fragility.