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A survey of 150 U.S. hospital finance chiefs highlights significant challenges in adopting financial and administrative technologies, with 60% reporting that at least half of their tech pilots fail, and 57% saying the same across all pilot projects. These initiatives, which often include AI-driven forecasting, revenue cycle automation, and analytics tools, frequently fall short due to unclear objectives, lack of practical use cases, and weak staff adoption. Despite these setbacks, investment in technology remains strong, with 73% of respondents planning to increase spending, particularly on AI to improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and staff experience. However, finance leaders are approaching these investments cautiously, demanding rapid and measurable returns, with over half expecting projects to generate at least a 110% return within 18 months, reflecting tight financial conditions across the healthcare sector.

 

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The top U.S. antitrust enforcer has told Reuters that so-called acquihires, whereby firms - notably in the technology sector - pay ​large sums in deals with startups to ​take their technology and talent, but stop short of ⁠formally acquiring the target, are a “red flag.” Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed ​Assefi said: "When I see conduct that appears aimed to circumvent [the formal merger review process], as a litigator, as an enforcer, that's more of a red flag to ​me than if ​you had ⁠just participated and complied [with the review process]." Assefi said companies should be willing to engage ​in ⁠the merger review process.

 

Reuters

Eight states have filed a lawsuit in ‌the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, to block Nexstar's proposed $3.54bn acquisition of Tegna - a deal that would make the combined entity the largest U.S. broadcast station group. “Competition among local TV stations allows consumers to enjoy a variety of affordable options for quality coverage of news, sports, and more,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “This illegal merger threatens local news and could raise fees for consumers by combining hundreds of TV stations under the same owner. I’m suing to stop Nexstar’s illegal merger with Tegna to keep cable bills down and ensure New Yorkers can access the independent local news options they count on.” Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan ​Carr has previously said he supported the deal and would be moving forward to approve it after President Donald Trump publicly backed ​the merger. 

 

AG.NY.GOV

Reuters

PwC’s U.S. chief Paul Griggs says partners who resist AI will have no place at the firm amid an overhaul to protect the business from being undermined by the technology.

 

Financial Times

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has urged companies to strengthen the security of Microsoft's endpoint management tool, ​after a March 11 cyberattack on medical device maker Stryker's computer systems that caused widespread disruption to its business. ​The company said it had experienced a global ⁠disruption to its Microsoft environment.

 

Reuters

The Federal Reserve has voted 11-1 to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5%–3.75% for a second straight meeting, signaling potential rate cuts later this year even as rising oil prices tied to the Iran conflict threaten to keep inflation elevated. Policymakers remain divided as inflation has ticked up to 3.1%, while the labor market shows signs of softening with job losses and unemployment rising to 4.4%. The war-driven energy shock has increased uncertainty, making it harder for the Fed to balance slowing growth against persistent price pressures. The outlook is further complicated by disagreement within the Fed over whether policy is restrictive enough, with one official dissenting in favor of a rate cut, and by a looming leadership transition as Chair Jerome Powell’s term nears its May expiration amid delays confirming a successor. He said he will not resign his separate position as a governor until a Department of Justice probe of the central bank is “is well and truly over, with transparency and finality.” 

 

Bloomberg

CNBC

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal

U.S. producer prices rose more than expected in February, increasing 0.7%, their largest monthly gain in seven months, driven by higher costs for services, food, and energy. The Labor Department's report noted that annual producer inflation reached 3.4%, the highest in a year, signaling persistent price pressures in the economy. The increase was led by services, particularly hospitality and transportation, while goods prices surged due to sharp rises in food and energy costs, including vegetables, eggs, and fuel. Core inflation also remained firm, reinforcing concerns about underlying price strength. Economists warn inflation could climb further as the Iran conflict pushes oil prices higher and tariffs continue to feed through supply chains. A separate report, from the Commerce Department, found that U.S. factory orders rose modestly by 0.1% in January, recovering slightly from a revised decline in December and matching expectations. The increase was supported by demand for machinery, metals, and electronics, partly driven by investment in artificial intelligence, while weakness in transportation equipment, especially defense aircraft, limited overall growth.

 

CNBC

Market Watch

Reuters

Reuters

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is predicting a 4.4% increase in retail sales for 2026, reaching $5.6tn, a projection attributed to consumer resilience amid economic volatility. Mark Mathews, NRF's chief economist, said: "The one bright spot through these ups and downs was the consumer whose continued spending was a key economic driver in 2025". However, the impact of the ongoing Iran war on consumer spending remains uncertain. Despite a downbeat consumer mood, wage growth and a solid employment market are expected to support spending, particularly among higher-income households.

 

US News and World Report

Macy's chief executive Tony Spring said Wednesday that the retailer's performance in the fourth quarter, in which all three of its brands experienced growth, show that its turnaround strategy is working, although he also said it is taking a prudent approach to its outlook for the coming year. “Where will gas prices be the remainder of the year? How long will the conflict go on in the Middle East? Will the tariffs be refunded? Will other tariffs be enhanced or raised? Will the resilient consumer continue?”, he said. “We’re not economists. The team is really focused on controlling what they can control". The three months to January 31st brought revenues of $7.64bn, down from $7.7bn a year earlier, and net income of $507m, or $1.21 per adjusted share. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected revenues of $.62bn and per-share earnings of $1.53. Same-store sales at Macy's rose 0.4%, and were up 9.9% and 1.3% respectively at Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury. 

 

Bloomberg

CNBC

Reuters

Wall Street Journal

Accounting technology provider Auvenir has separated from Deloitte and relaunched as an independent company under the name Streamworks Tech, following a sale to its management team. Originally founded by Deloitte in 2019, the business will now focus on expanding its product offerings, particularly for small and mid-sized accounting firms. Streamworks will continue to provide audit and compliance software, including three core products: an engagements platform for CPA firms, an enterprise solution for large organizations, and a quality management system already in use in Canada and newly launched in the U.S.

 

Accounting Today

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is calling on U.S. lawmakers to update the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) to better reflect the role of internal auditing in corporate governance and compliance. In a new position paper, the IIA argues that while SOX has been central to financial reporting integrity since 2002, it does not explicitly recognize internal audit functions. The group recommends clarifying the definition and role of internal auditing in law, strengthening coordination between internal and external auditors, and reassessing compliance requirements under key SOX provisions. It also suggests leveraging technology and internal audit capabilities to reduce compliance costs. The proposal comes amid renewed political interest in reviewing SOX, and aims to improve efficiency while maintaining strong investor protections as the risk environment evolves.

 

Accounting Today

The European Commission has proposed allowing firms to set up in as little as 48 hours and operate according to a ‌single set of rules across the 27-nation bloc, in an attempt to to cut bureaucracy across the single market and narrow the gap with the startup scene in the United States. "We need to incentivise companies to stay in Europe and encourage those who once looked elsewhere to return,” ‌European Commissioner ⁠Michael McGrath said. "Europe has the talent, ideas, and ambition - but too often, bureaucracy drives our best entrepreneurs elsewhere." Unions are however sceptical of the plan, warning that it may lead to employees losing influence within their companies. In the past, concerns regarding workers’ rights have led to the failure of similar proposals, EurActiv notes.

 

Tech.eu

EurActiv

Reuters

The United Arab Emirates is expected to show flexibility on tax residency rules for expatriates who left the country due to the Iran conflict, aiming to encourage their return and protect its appeal as a low-tax hub. Authorities are likely to allow more time abroad without jeopardizing tax status, particularly for Dubai, which relies heavily on wealthy foreign residents. Currently, expats must spend a minimum number of days in the UAE to qualify for tax residency, but officials are considering case-by-case exemptions, taking into account travel disruptions and force majeure conditions. The move comes as ongoing conflict, flight cancellations, and security concerns have made it harder for residents to return, raising the risk they could lose their tax advantages.

 

IFA Magazine

Financial Times