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.
Operational Risk Management
Background
The basic purpose of the corporate treasury department is to ensure that there is sufficient cash available for the company to operate, and that interest rate and foreign exchange risks are…
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tariffs drive surge in FX hedging as North American firms feel the pinch
by Ben Poole
Currency volatility has hit profitability or competitiveness for nearly 70% of North American companies in global markets, according to MillTech.
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.
Growth slows and inflation builds as global PMIs diverge
by Ben Poole
Business activity across the UK, Eurozone and US showed diverging trajectories in May.
Tariffs trigger sharpest drop in global manufacturing demand
by Ben Poole
Global manufacturers cut purchases at the fastest pace this year in April.
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.
Trade under fire: firms scramble to counter tariff risks
by Ben Poole
While more than 80% of firms are actively managing tariff risk, the majority believe trade barriers are here to stay.
Payment fraud remains pervasive globally as sophistication increases
by Ben Poole
Corporate payments fraud remains a costly and persistent threat with wide-reaching financial consequences.
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.
March PMI data sees resilient demand meet rising caution
by Ben Poole
While private sector output improved in the US, Eurozone and UK, confidence in the economic outlook continued to falter.
UK business insolvencies begin slow descent after 10-year record high
by Ben Poole
Global business insolvencies will keep rising over the next two years, according to Allianz Trade.
Most CFOs planning to pass on tariff costs
by Ben Poole
Majority of CFOs plan to either pass on minimal or nearly all tariff impacts to customers, leaving few organisations in between.
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
Japan‘s chipmakers plan US$30 billion investment in semiconductors – Industry roundup: 11 July
by Graham Buck
UK launches £7.3bn Wealth Fund; Aramco resumes USD-denominated bonds; Banks enjoyed record profits in 2023; HSBC to reshape investment banking
KPMG predicts upturn for UK economy – Industry roundup: 2 July
by Graham Buck
IFRS and IFC partner on sustainability; China’s PBOC plans to borrow bonds; BlackRock pays US$3.22bn for Preqin; Greece introduces six-day workweek