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Moody's Ratings warned that in 2025, cyber attackers will leverage AI technology and target large enterprises, potentially increasing credit risk. Meanwhile, the Trump administration may relax cyber defense regulations, raising risks for rated debt issuers.

Super Micro Computer announced on Friday that Nasdaq has approved its extension request, allowing the company to postpone the submission deadline for documents such as the fiscal year 2024 10-K and the first quarter fiscal year 2025 10-Q to February 25, 2025. Previously, the company faced delisting risk due to audit issues.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payrolls increased by 227,000 in November, and the unemployment rate edged up to 4.2%. The end of the Boeing strike and post-hurricane rebuilding in the Southeast drove the employment rebound, but the overall labor market is cooling. Fed officials have mixed views, with market expectations for a December rate cut at 85%.

Federal Reserve Chair Powell said on Wednesday that the solid job market and better-than-expected economic performance give policymakers time to prudently consider the pace of future rate cuts. He noted the economy is stronger than September expectations and labor market risks have decreased, allowing for a more careful search for the neutral rate. Several Fed officials also expressed concerns that inflation progress may stall, but Atlanta Fed President Bostic believes the path to the 2% inflation target, though bumpy, is sustainable. Market data shows traders' probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December has risen to 76%.

U.S. President-elect Trump announced on Wednesday the nomination of business consultant and cryptocurrency industry lobbyist Paul Atkins to serve as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Atkins currently serves as CEO of risk consulting firm Patomak Global Partners and co-chair of the Token Alliance at the Chamber of Digital Commerce. He previously served as an SEC commissioner during the presidency of George W. Bush.

Research released Tuesday by The Conference Board shows that the proportion of non-white newly appointed directors at Russell 3000 companies fell from 48% in 2022 to 31% in 2024, with Black directors dropping from 26% to 12%. Despite the decline in diversity among new directors, overall board demographic diversity still set a record. The study was co-sponsored by KPMG and Russell Reynolds.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into the workflows of financial executives. Runway CEO Siqi Chen writes that CFOs should not fear AI but should proactively master its application. Based on survey data from American Express, the article proposes key strategies such as solidifying the data foundation, deliberate deployment, seamless integration, and building human-machine collaboration mechanisms to help financial leaders leverage AI to improve decision-making efficiency.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported on Monday that U.S. manufacturing activity contracted for the eighth consecutive month in November, although the new orders index returned to positive territory after seven months of contraction. Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, noted that slower production execution is consistent with weak demand and insufficient backlog orders, with respondents continuing to express concerns about a lack of new orders. While the new orders index rose, it has not yet shown stable growth since ending 24 consecutive months of expansion in May 2022.

The latest data from the U.S. Commerce Department shows that the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, excluding food and energy prices, rose 2.8% year-over-year in October, accelerating from 2.7% in September and still above the Fed's 2% target level. Meanwhile, consumer spending increased 0.4% month-over-month, outpacing inflation growth, indicating that consumer confidence remains solid. In the minutes of the November meeting, Fed officials stated that they believe inflation is steadily moving toward the 2% target, but some participants noted that the timeline for reaching the target may be later than previously expected. Market analysts believe that the Fed may cut interest rates by 25 basis points in December, but will slow the pace of easing in 2025.

FASB issued an accounting standards update on Tuesday, amending the induced conversion guidance for convertible debt in response to requests from the Big Four accounting firms. The new rules clarify the treatment of settlement methods such as cash conversions and will be effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2025. The current convertible bond market is recovering, with issuance reaching $51.6 billion in 2023.