-
Apple posts record iPhone sales but warns on rising component costs
Apple has reported first-quarter revenue of $143.76bn, driven by a 23% surge in iPhone sales to $85.3bn, fuelled by strong demand for the iPhone 17, particularly in China. The three months to December 27th saw Mac revenues total $8.39bn, iPads $8.6bn, wearables and accessories $11.49bn, and services hit $30.01bn. Net income came in at $42.1bn,…
-
Starbucks sees U.S. sales rebound, but margin concerns linger
Starbucks has reported its first U.S. sales growth in two years, with comparable North America sales up 4% in the first quarter, driven by chief executive Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” strategy – although operating margins fell 290bps due to past tariffs and store investments. Revenues in the three months to December 28th rose 6%…
-
Finance chiefs ramp up investor relations as AI transforms investment research
As artificial intelligence becomes a powerful tool for investors conducting research, CFOs are increasing their focus on investor relations, according to Gartner. In a survey of 146 finance leaders, 43% said they spent more time preparing for earnings calls in 2025, with time on other key activities – such as social media engagement and rapid…
-
Clear compliance writing and responsible AI use are ‘key to managing financial risk’
Writing for Reuters, attorney Ola M. Tucker emphasizes that financial institutions must prioritize plain-language compliance writing and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce regulatory risk. Effective compliance programs require clear, actionable documentation that employees can understand and implement – especially under increasing regulatory scrutiny. Recent enforcement actions, such as the $1.3bn fine against…
-
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Canada over China trade deal
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian exports to the U.S. if Canada proceeds with its recent trade agreement with China, intensifying tensions between the two allies. The limited deal, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, includes the easing of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and agricultural goods, and…
-
TikTok finalizes U.S. JV to avoid ban, as ByteDance cuts stake below 20%
TikTok owner ByteDance has finalized a deal to create a majority American-owned joint venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, designed to secure U.S. user data and prevent a U.S. ban of the app. Under the agreement, American and global investors will hold 80.1%, while ByteDance retains 19.9%. Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will…
Empowering CFOs with Insights and Strategies for Navigating Corporate Finance and Achieving Excellence.