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According to research released Wednesday by Grant Thornton, 57% of CFOs say customer price sensitivity in their industries has increased. To address this trend, AI and advanced pricing models such as segment-based pricing and dynamic pricing are being increasingly adopted, with 16% of organizations having fully implemented them and another 35% in the process of scaling up. Meanwhile, 73% of CFOs say affordability concerns have impacted pricing strategies.
Beyond Meat announced on Tuesday that it is delaying its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results release due to the need for additional time to review inventory balances and provisions for excess and obsolete inventory. The company expects to release preliminary results on or before March 25, but the final 10-K filing may be delayed to March 31. Previously, the company had delayed its Q3 results due to internal control weaknesses and replaced its chief accounting officer.
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged in its Wednesday decision, but one committee member dissented. The Iran war pushed oil prices to near four-year highs, and the Fed warned of uncertain economic effects. Officials expect one rate cut in 2026 while raising inflation and growth forecasts. Chair Powell said the impact of Middle East events on the U.S. economy remains unclear, and near-term higher energy prices will push up overall inflation.
A report released by The Conference Board on Tuesday indicates that as companies accelerate digital transformation, technology and HR executives have gained significant improvements in both compensation and status. Between 2021 and 2025, the number of chief technology officers and chief human resources officers entering the top-five highest-paid executive lists at Russell 3000 companies surged by 61% and 55%, respectively. Andrew Jones, co-author of the report, stated that talent, culture, and digital capabilities are now viewed as corporate risks rather than support functions. Meanwhile, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that artificial intelligence contributed 0.97 percentage points to U.S. economic growth in the first three quarters of 2025, surpassing the technology-driven impact during the 2000 internet bubble era. However, a survey by ResumeBuilder.com reveals that more than half of U.S. companies are cutting employee compensation or laying off workers to free up funds for AI investments.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Monday that Margaret A. Ryan, head of the Enforcement Division, has resigned without stating a reason. Ryan was appointed about six months ago by SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins. The SEC has designated Chief Deputy Director Sam Waldon as acting head starting Monday and expects to name a permanent successor within weeks. Ryan's departure has raised external concerns about the direction of SEC enforcement efforts, especially against the backdrop of accounting and auditing enforcement cases falling to a nine-year low in 2025.
Brown-Forman announced on Monday the appointment of Jim Peters, a former finance executive at Whirlpool, as its chief financial officer, effective March 31. Peters will succeed Leanne D. Cunningham, who announced her retirement after four years in the role and will officially step down on May 1.
The period of capital constraints may be ending, with private equity pipelines building, strategic buyers reopening dialogues, and refinancing discussions taking shape anew. But liquidity does not automatically create value; it only amplifies the existing foundation. CFOs should answer in advance: if new capital arrives tomorrow, where will it be deployed? Can leadership align on key initiatives within 24 to 36 months, supported by credible modeling for decision-making?
A survey of 866 US business leaders by ResumeBuilder.com found that over half of companies are freeing up funds for AI investment by cutting salaries, bonuses, equity, and benefits, with 26% planning layoffs. The impact of AI on employment has raised widespread concerns, but an EY report shows some CEOs still plan to maintain or increase their workforce.
Accenture's latest survey shows that the adoption rate of generative AI in the early stages of M&A transactions rose from 31% in 2024 to 46% in 2026, but the post-deal adoption rate only increased from 18% to 27%. A McKinsey report states that AI can shorten deal cycles by 10%-30% and reduce costs by about 20%, but experts warn that using AI in due diligence may violate confidentiality agreements.
Waste Management paid former Chief Financial Officer Devina Rankin a $1 million cash bonus on March 13 as she was about to step down from her role as executive advisor, in recognition of her contributions to the CFO transition and the integration of the healthcare solutions business.