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.
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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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.
Three near-term AI priorities for CFOs
by Ben Poole
Gartner’s latest research suggests finance leaders should concentrate on three areas that will have the most immediate and transformational impact.
Global economic growth at 14-month high in August
by Ben Poole
The rate of global economic expansion accelerated for the fourth month in a row in August, with output rising at the quickest pace since June 2024.
US growth heats up while Europe and UK tread carefully
by Ben Poole
Private sector growth in August 2025 picked up across major developed economies.
Mind the gap: US treasurers lose ground on cash discipline
by Ben Poole
Companies across North America are facing renewed working capital pressures, including deteriorating cash flow metrics and longer payment cycles.
Investor risk appetite wanes as macro and political tensions rise
by Ben Poole
Investor confidence slipped sharply in August over concerns about valuations, tariffs and the broader economic outlook.
BoE cuts rates to 4% as growth falters and inflation picture shifts
by Ben Poole
In a closely split decision, the BoE made its third rate cut in the past 12 months.
Global growth divides as Eurozone steadies, UK cools and US powers ahead
by Ben Poole
The latest Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surveys show how trade policy shifts and cost pressures are influencing business conditions.
Tariff turbulence triggers cash flow strain and supply chain risk
by Ben Poole
US businesses are facing rising costs, late supplier payments and a growing risk of fraud as they scramble to manage the fallout from trade tariffs.
How tokenisation is rewriting the fund model
by Ben Poole
New research shows how tokenisation cuts fund costs, reduces errors, and accelerates launches by overhauling back-office infrastructure.
Treasury teams double down on cash, risk and AI amid mounting volatility
by Ben Poole
Global headwinds are forcing finance teams to focus on real-time insights, risk resilience and operational agility.
Flickers of resilience emerge in global PMI data despite patchy progress
by Ben Poole
Global business activity showed faint signs of recovery in June, with the eurozone, UK and US all reporting growth.
Global trade disruption forces UK CEOs to re-evaluate investment strategies
by Ben Poole
UK CEOs are adjusting their strategic investment plans as geopolitical, macroeconomic and trade uncertainties continue to disrupt global markets.
Tech vs turbulence: how finance leaders are rewriting the playbook
by Ben Poole
Finance leaders are tightening their grip on cash while doubling down on technology investments.
UK CFOs turn defensive as geopolitical risks and cost pressures mount
by Ben Poole
Finance leaders at the UK’s largest businesses have entered 2025 with a markedly defensive outlook.
Finance leaders turn to automation as cash flow pressures mount
by Ben Poole
Finance professionals are adopting AI and automation at increasing scale to overcome liquidity constraints and operational complexities.
CFOs facing AI productivity paradox
by Ben Poole
Despite AI's promise for enhancing efficiency, many organisations struggle to turn investments into material improvements in worker productivity.
Finance leaders embracing AI-generated data for key business decisions
by Ben Poole
AI-generated data has become the single most important tool in financial leaders’ decision-making process.
Finance leaders should temper expectations around GenAI - Gartner
by Ben Poole
GenAI hype could lead to a period of disillusionment with various technologies in this space.
China surprises with interest rate cut – Industry roundup 23 July
by Graham Buck
China to raise retirement age; ANZ launches real-time payments; Singapore commits US$74m for AI in finance; Bank of Canada expected to cut rates