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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit on Thursday, accusing President Trump's announcement of imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas of being a 'clearly illegal' expansion of executive power, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and federal immigration law. The Chamber requested the federal appeals court in the District of Columbia to prohibit the fee requirement and rescind related enforcement actions. This is the second similar lawsuit following an earlier one filed by plaintiffs in California.
The latest survey shows that CEO confidence in the economy deteriorated this quarter, with concerns that stubborn inflation could lead to an economic slowdown. 64% of CEOs expect a mild economic slowdown over the next 12 to 18 months, and 38% expect economic conditions to worsen over the next six months. Geopolitical instability and cyber risks remain major business risks.
Multiple reports show that U.S. retail sales grew in September, but part of the growth was driven by higher prices. Due to the government shutdown, Commerce Department data was delayed, and alternative data sources reveal divergent consumer spending, with increased pressure on low-income households.
As the Trump administration's trade policies continue to evolve, the indirect costs of tariffs (the 'ripple effect') will far exceed the tariffs themselves. From a CFO's perspective, this article systematically outlines key risk areas including pricing, supply chain, M&A, investment, foreign exchange, working capital, and taxation, and proposes forward-looking response strategies.
EY executive Clare Adelgren points out that CFOs should view stablecoins as a 'redesign' of payment infrastructure, not as isolated assets. Since the signing of the GENIUS Act, corporate interest has surged, but CFOs need to start from strategic pressure points, evaluate cost savings in scenarios such as cross-border payments, and pay attention to 'digestibility.' Stablecoins will not replace existing payment rails but will develop in parallel.
Industrial real estate giant Prologis raised its full-year earnings guidance after releasing third-quarter results. Company executives noted that despite lingering uncertainties in tariff policy, client decision-making has shifted toward a longer-term horizon, leasing activity is picking up, and the market has 'found its footing.' Third-quarter net earnings per share declined year over year, but revenue grew and occupancy rates rebounded sequentially.
The pregnancy discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed by former Real Brokerage Chief Financial Officer Michelle Ressler has been granted additional mediation time. Federal Judge Analisa Torres approved the joint request from both parties, extending the mediation period to October 30, with a requirement to report the mediation results to the court by November 6.
Oracle announced on Wednesday the expansion of its AI agent portfolio for enterprise finance professionals, adding tools such as accounts payable. These agents are embedded in the Fusion Cloud Applications suite and were unveiled at the 2025 AI World Conference in Las Vegas. Oracle executives stated that this move will usher finance into a new era driven by intelligent agents.
Michigan's CPA licensure reform bill (HB 4893) is expected to accelerate after the budget crisis is resolved. Introduced by State Representative Mark Tisdel, the bill proposes adding a new path requiring a bachelor's degree plus two years of work experience while retaining the existing 150-credit-hour path. Supporters believe this will help alleviate the accounting talent shortage, but the bill needs amendments to align with industry standards such as the Uniform Accountancy Act.
Fed Chair Powell said on Tuesday that the central bank faces growing risks of both inflation and unemployment rising simultaneously, complicating its dual mandate of stable prices and maximum employment. He warned that adjusting policy too quickly or too slowly could carry costs, and hinted that the balance sheet reduction may soon come to an end.