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A recent Deloitte survey reveals that finance chief confidence at large North American enterprises (with $1bn+ in annual revenue) rebounded sharply in the fourth quarter, rising to 6.6 out of 10 after a six-month decline. The survey, which polled 200 CFOs, highlights a strong shift toward technology and automation in 2026, with 50% identifying digital finance transformation as their top priority. AI is seen as central to this transformation, with 87% of CFOs deeming it extremely or very important for finance operations. More than half plan to integrate AI agents into workflows. Cash management, capital allocation, and enterprise risk management are also key focus areas, as companies seek greater efficiency and cost control. Amid ongoing economic and competitive pressures, CFOs are balancing internal cost concerns with growth ambitions, particularly through M&As—63% reported increased interest in M&A activity. Hiring strategies are also evolving, with a preference for internal promotions to manage labor costs while retaining institutional knowledge. Overall, the survey signals a finance function increasingly driven by innovation and strategic agility.

 

CFO

Workers at BP's Whiting refinery in Indiana have started contract negotiations regarding proposed changes that could result in over 200 job cuts in operations, maintenance, and environmental safety. The United Steelworkers union expressed concerns that these cuts and other workplace changes would undermine the workers' long-standing contributions to the company, with union president Eric Schultz emphasising the need for efficient operations without sacrificing employee welfare. The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on January 31, and BP has committed to engaging in negotiations in good faith.

 

Reuters

Economic activity increased across the U.S. as 2025 gave way to 2026, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, in a report ahead of a rate-setting meeting in two weeks. The central bank's Beige Book compilation of anecdotes from businesses in the weeks leading up to January 5th found that activity rose in eight of the 12 bank regions, with eight reporting mostly no change in hiring, and prices rising at a moderate rate across all but two districts. The report supports recent comments by several Federal Reserve policymakers, who describe the labor market as broadly cool but fundamentally stable. However, some officials are advocating caution regarding further interest rate cuts, pointing to inflation that remains above the Fed’s 2% target and potential upward pressure on prices linked to President Trump’s tariff policies.

 

Bloomberg

CNBC

Market Watch

Reuters

U.S. retail sales rose 0.6% in November, according to the Commerce Department, well ahead of October's downwardly-revised 0.1% decline, and ahead of the 0.4% predicted by economists in a FactSet poll. Excluding autos, gasoline, building materials, and food services, sales were up 0.4%. Ten out of 13 categories posted increases, including sporting goods and hobby stores as well as building materials retailers and clothing outlets. Higher levels of spending should continue through the common months, suggested Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. She added: “Early 2026 should remain robust as many households receive tax refunds that are $500 to $1,000 bigger than normal, giving that extra cash cushion for some purchases or to pay off credit card debt."

 

CNN

Bloomberg

Reuters

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported on Wednesday that existing home sales rose 5.1% in December from November, their biggest gain since February 2024 and the fourth straight monthly increase. Sales hit a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.35m units, ahead of the 4.21m units expected among economists polled by Reuters. The inventory of existing homes rose 3.5% from a year ago to 1.18m units, meaning that at current sales rates it would take 3.3 months to exhaust current inventory levels. The median existing ​home price last month increased 0.4% from ‍a year ago to $405,400. The higher sales “were essentially driven, in my view, by lower interest-rate conditions,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun, who added: “There is pent-up demand. When does it get released? When the mortgage rate begins to move.”

 

CNBC

Reuters

Wall Street Journal

Johnson & Johnson has successfully appealed a $1bn damages award related to its acquisition of Auris Health, as Delaware's Supreme Court ruled parts of the claim should be dismissed. The court's decision is set to potentially reduce the financial penalties by several hundred million dollars following a recalculation of damages. Johnson & Johnson expressed satisfaction with the court's reversal of certain findings but noted disappointment with the parts of the trial court ruling that still stand.

 

Reuters

Boeing secured more orders than its European rival Airbus last year for the first time since 2018. The U.S. company said it booked 1,075 gross orders last year after cancellations and conversions, compared with 1,000 orders reported by Airbus on Monday. "Our team did great work throughout 2025 to improve the on-time delivery of safe, quality airplanes to our customers to support their growth and modernization plans," said Boeing commercial plane chief Stephanie Pope. "We're focused on getting better every day and building on the momentum in the year ahead."

 

France 24

Financial Times

Hurriyet Daily News

On Wednesday, a U.S. judge approved the first $400m tranche of Saks Global’s $1.75bn bankruptcy financing package, allowing the luxury retailer to pay vendors and employees amid a $3.4bn debt load. Amazon opposed the deal, fearing its $475m equity investment would be wiped out. Saks, which owes $337m to suppliers like Chanel and Kering, blamed its financial distress on a failed merger with Neiman Marcus and inventory shortages. All stores remain open, with Saks aiming to stabilize and restructure.

 

Bloomberg

Reuters

U.S. small-business optimism climbed in December, with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reporting a rise in its confidence index to 99.5, up from 99.0 in November and above the long-term average of 98. The boost was fueled by improved expectations for future business conditions - marking the first increase in that category since July. The NFIB also noted a drop in its uncertainty index to the lowest level since June 2024. Chief economist Bill Dunkelberg cited reduced cost pressures, easing labor issues, and stronger capital investment as reasons for the brighter outlook heading into 2026.

 

PYMNTS

Wall Street Journal

With the Affordable Care Act open enrollment deadline closing, Congress remains divided over whether to restore federal subsidies that helped keep premiums lower for more than 20m Americans. Lawmakers are racing to reach a bipartisan deal; failure to act could lead to premiums more than doubling and an estimated 4m people losing coverage over the next decade. Negotiations have stalled partly due to disputes over abortion coverage language, complicating efforts to extend or modify the tax credits. Enrollment has already fallen by about 1.4mthis season as higher costs deter sign‑ups.

 

Bloomberg

Anti-American sentiment is harming U.S. brands, according to a report from the American Marketing Association-New York Future of Marketing Project. The study revealed that 62% of U.S. international marketers believe this sentiment is negatively affecting their sales. Only 42% of global consumers view the U.S. favorably, a significant drop from the previous year. Marketers are shifting strategies, focusing on community engagement and sustainability, while reducing reliance on American imagery. The report suggests that brands should emphasize universal values and engage more with local causes to counteract the negative perception.

 

Forbes

France's competition watchdog has conducted surprise raids on several auditing firms, including Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC, as part of an antitrust investigation into potential anti-competitive practices. The Autorité de la Concurrence seized documents related to auditing and financial reporting services but emphasized the raids do not imply guilt. The Big Four firms dominate corporate auditing in France and globally.

 

Reuters