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U.S. manufacturing returns to growth as orders surge in January
U.S. factory activity expanded for the first time in a year in January, driven by a sharp rebound in new orders, according to data from the Institute for Supply Management. The manufacturing PMI rose to 52.6, its highest level since August 2022 and well above forecasts, signalling a return to growth after 10 months of…
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The CFO role shifts from scorekeeper to strategic systems architect
The role of the chief financial officer is evolving rapidly as private markets grow more complex, data-rich and investor expectations rise. Once centred on reporting and controls, finance leaders are increasingly expected to be forward-looking, investor-facing and strategic, providing real-time insights, forecasting and clarity from vast volumes of data. Advances in automation and AI are…
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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,…
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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%…
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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…
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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…
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