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A report by Moody's Ratings reveals that U.S. companies are increasingly requesting more flexible covenants in their credit agreements. This allows borrowers, particularly those with weaker credit profiles, to raise debt without full consent from existing lenders. Moody's noted that such changes could increase debt loads by 40% to 300% of EBITDA. The report highlighted that 10% of credit agreements from early 2024 to May 2025 involved private equity-backed borrowers seeking these terms. Moody's said: "Borrowers are gaining unfettered access to debt, even in financial distress."

 

Reuters

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Mark Patterson, the new CFO of Cisco, is prioritizing the management of $2bn in AI-related orders as he assumes his role. This strategic focus underscores Cisco's commitment to expanding its footprint in the AI sector, a move that could significantly impact its financial trajectory. Patterson's leadership will be crucial in navigating the complexities of AI investments and ensuring robust financial oversight. The development highlights the increasing importance of AI in corporate strategy and the need for adept financial management in capitalizing on emerging technologies.

 

Fortune

PitchBook data reveals that 15.9% of venture-backed deals in 2025 have been down rounds, the highest in a decade. This trend reflects a correction from the inflated valuations of the early 2020s. Additionally, nearly all major IPOs in the second quarter faced valuation challenges. These developments indicate a significant shift in the venture capital landscape. U.S. corporate finance executives are urged to reassess investment strategies and valuation expectations in the current market environment.

 

Biztoc.com

Quantum Computing reported a $36m loss for Q2, primarily due to a non-cash accounting adjustment related to a past merger. The company's CFO clarified that this significant loss, which surprised investors, stems from merger-era accounting practices rather than operational performance. This highlights the complexities and potential financial surprises associated with mergers and acquisitions, and emphasizes the need for corporate finance executives to closely scrutinize accounting treatments in such transactions to avoid unexpected financial impacts.

 

Benzinga

An analysis from Livemint highlights insights from Brad Marshall, global head of private credit strategies at Blackstone, on the burgeoning private credit market. Marshall emphasizes the asset class's potential, attributing his career success to it, while also addressing the management of default risks. He notes that private credit offers unique opportunities for investors seeking higher yields compared to traditional fixed-income assets. However, he cautions about the inherent risks, particularly in economic downturns, and underscores the importance of rigorous risk assessment and management strategies for corporate finance leaders.

 

Livemint

An analysis from Fortune highlights potential constitutional issues with a recent export deal involving Nvidia and AMD brokered by former President Trump. The article argues that the deal may violate the U.S. Constitution, specifically the clause that prohibits states from entering into agreements with foreign powers without congressional approval. This raises significant legal concerns for corporate leaders and stakeholders involved in international trade and technology sectors, and highlights the need for careful legal scrutiny in future agreements to ensure compliance with constitutional mandates.

 

Fortune

An analysis from Forbes highlights strategies for increasing a business's value, focusing on creating transferable equity. The article emphasizes the importance of scalability, operational efficiency, and strategic planning to enhance a company's market appeal, even if a sale isn't imminent. Key tactics include strengthening financial performance, building a robust management team, and ensuring the business model is adaptable to market changes. These steps can significantly boost a company's valuation, making it more attractive to potential buyers or investors, thereby maximizing shareholder wealth.

 

Forbes

Abridge, a healthcare AI start-up valued at $5.3bn, is actively seeking acquisitions following a successful $700m fundraising effort over 18 months. The company is targeting start-ups that can enhance its AI capabilities and expand its market reach. Abridge's strategic focus is on acquiring firms that offer complementary technologies and have a strong alignment with its mission to improve healthcare delivery. This move signals Abridge's ambition to consolidate its position in the rapidly evolving healthcare AI sector, presenting potential opportunities for corporate finance executives to explore partnerships or investment avenues.

 

Business Insider

Shares of Miami International Holdings surged 38% on their first day of trading following a $345m IPO, bringing the exchange operator's market valuation to approximately $2.5bn. The debut highlights strong investor confidence in the company's growth prospects and the broader appeal of exchange operators in the financial markets. The successful IPO underscores the robust demand for equity in the financial services sector, offering strategic insights for corporate finance executives monitoring market trends and investment opportunities.

 

Reuters

Air Canada began suspending flights on Thursday after the union representing its flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice. Canada's largest airline warned passengers without confirmed flights to not go to the airport, as suspensions will continue through that period. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 Air Canada attendants, provided a strike notice on Wednesday after an impasse in contract talks. It said it has bargained in good faith but the company "refused to address" core issues, including proposals on wages and unpaid work. Air Canada's Chief Human Resources Officer Arielle Meloul-Wechsler said the carrier was "available to bargain at any time on the condition that the negotiation has substance."

 

BBC News

CNN

Reuters

Aon is facing a fraud lawsuit linked to its promotion of a new credit insurance product. The lawsuit, filed by a trust representing creditors of the bankrupt tech firm Vesttoo, claims Aon inflated valuations of intellectual property used as collateral for loans. But Aon said in a statement that the lawsuit is "a perverse attempt by Vesttoo’s bankruptcy estate to shift responsibility for Vesttoo’s deliberate fraud to Aon, one of the fraud’s biggest victims."

 

Bloomberg

Financial Times

A cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group's tech unit last year affected approximately 192.7m individuals, making it the largest healthcare data breach in the United States. Initially, the company estimated that the breach impacted 190m people, but updated figures have been released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The attack, attributed to the "Blackcat" ransomware group, compromised sensitive information including health insurance IDs, patient diagnoses, and social security numbers.

 

Reuters

The Port of Los Angeles achieved a record monthly container volume of 1,019,837 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, marking an 8.5% increase from the previous year. This is the highest volume since the port began container operations in 1959. Executive Director Gene Seroka said: "Port terminals in July were jam-packed with ships loaded with cargo, processed without any delay." Year-to-date, the port has handled 5,975,649 TEUs, a 5% rise compared to the same period in 2024.

 

FreightWaves

A fatal explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton, Pennsylvania plant - which killed two and injured 10 - threatens to derail Nippon Steel’s $14bn U.S. investment plan. The blast disrupted coke production at Mon Valley Works, a key site in its acquisition deal. “It was chaos; we ran to help whoever and do whatever we could,” said 21-year employee Jim Borkowski. While upgrades at Mon Valley continue, the Clairton site will require costly unplanned repairs. U.S. Steel CEO Dave Burritt affirmed Nippon’s commitment, saying: “We wouldn’t have done the deal . . . if we weren’t absolutely sure that we would have an enduring future.”

 

Wall Street Journal

China has told foreign companies not to hoard rare earths as fears about Beijing’s export curbs drive up demand for the metals vital in a range of critical technologies.

 

Financial Times