China is transforming from a low-cost labour market into the world’s largest middle-class consumer market, and CEOs are taking note. In a survey of CEOs from around the world, China emerged as the most attractive country for foreign investments.
Indonesia is an emerging economic powerhouse with a consumer population that is projected to nearly double by 2020. But companies entering the Indonesian market have to overcome infrastructure challenges and tailor their marketing messages to a family-oriented, bargain-hunting society.
Interest in mergers and acquisitions declined in 2012 due to sovereign debt crises in Europe, fiscal uncertainty in the US and political instability in the Middle East. But a Grant Thornton study suggests the appetite for cross-border deals increased.
A quarterly CFO report by Deloitte shows that supporting strategic initiatives is a top priority in the coming year, and CFOs consider retention of talent a key issue.
US economic optimism is on the rise, but that rise has brought it only into the neutral category, according to the latest AICPA Business & Industry Economic Outlook Survey. CPA decision-makers feel good about their businesses’ potential for growth, as each component of a nine-factor index rose compared with the fourth quarter of 2012.
CFOs in the United States have greater expectations for economic growth in the next 12 months compared with the sentiment of counterparts in Italy and France. A new quarterly survey shows that US CFOs project higher net earnings and revenue. Their companies also are more likely to add staff in the next year.
Global economic uncertainty, government response to debt and deficit, and overregulation are among the most worrisome things to CEOs these days, according to PwC’s annual global CEO survey. Find out what strategies they’re employing to protect their companies from the effects of each.
Management accountants are bracing for a decision by the US Congress on the nation’s debt ceiling and spending, and a majority predict the US will suffer in the form of a lower credit rating and weaker dollar. Market volatility and uncertainty is a concern for many finance executives, according to a new CGMA survey.
Globalisation is less advanced than perceived, research by Deutsche Post DHL and the IESE Business School in Spain suggests. The DHL Global Connectedness Index highlights some opportunities for improvement.
A majority of Canadian accounting executives are optimistic about the prospects of their own businesses, but that sentiment is countered by concern over the US economic outlook. A survey by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) shows that the US economy is seen as the biggest challenge to Canada’s growth in the next 12 months.
Companies doing business in Europe should prepare for a “lost decade,” new research suggests. Facing stagnant economic growth, low consumer demand and limited access to credit, companies must be prudent but they can’t miss out on opportunities.
Western Europe and North America are still attractive to foreign investors, but not as attractive as the top five emerging market hot spots. Even lesser-known emerging economies are gaining ground.
Economic uncertainty has made financial executives reluctant to make the significant investments in hiring or mergers and acquisitions that would spark strong growth. The fiscal cliff and higher health care costs concern CFOs in the United States, while European woes include the possibility of a request for a bailout by Spain.
Finance professionals continue to keep one eye on the bottom line and one eye on the fiscal cliff. Respondents to a new Association for Financial Professionals survey warn that US economic growth is in jeopardy if Congress can’t quickly resolve budget issues.
For the third consecutive quarter, CPA decision-makers in the United States have lower optimism regarding the economy at home, according to the latest AICPA Business & Industry U.S. Economic Outlook Survey. Political uncertainty reigns, even after the presidential election.
Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perception Index shows that several countries in the Mediterranean region – including Greece and Italy for mainly financial reasons and Egypt for political ones – are seen as being more corrupt.
Few multinationals can resists the lure of big, fast-growing BRIC markets such as Russia. Educational attainment in the country is good, but with the market economy still comparatively new, a hangover of old cultural attitudes persists. There is a dearth of leadership skills and employees seek short-term pay hikes over long-term career development. In the first CGMA panel discussion in Moscow, finance leaders from top companies address the talent challenge in emerging markets.
