Strategy & Operations
Podcast | Human-Machine Collaboration: Rethinking Talent Strategy in the AI Era for the Insurance Industry
As AI rapidly permeates core insurance business processes, the talent gap is replacing technology itself as the primary obstacle to large-scale deployment. In this podcast episode, experts from PwC and Workday are invited to systematically deconstruct the logic of building human-machine collaborative organizations across dimensions such as job restructuring, skills reskilling, data governance, and platform support, offering insurance industry leaders an action guide for progressing from pilot projects to lasting competitiveness.
OECD Global Minimum Tax Agreement: Long-Term Stability Expected, Short-Term Compliance Challenges Remain
KPMG tax experts say the OECD global minimum tax agreement will stabilize the tax situation of large U.S. multinationals, but will not reduce calculation complexity or compliance risks in the short term. Last week, 147 countries reached a 'parallel' agreement, providing a safe harbor exemption for large U.S. companies, but implementation details are still pending national legislation.
Grant Thornton Survey: Over Half of CFOs Expect Operating Expenditures to Increase in the Coming Year
According to a survey released by Grant Thornton on Thursday, 51% of CFOs in the fourth quarter expect their companies' operating expenditures to increase in the coming year, a significant rise from 35% three months ago and the highest level in 20 quarters. This shift indicates that financial leaders are ready for strategic spending after a period of prolonged cost control. The survey also shows that 44% of CFOs anticipate tax benefits from a certain big and beautiful bill, while 52% of CFOs are optimistic about the U.S. economy.
Companies lease office space based on 'peak day' demand, Newmark says market recovery is supported
Newmark executives say companies are planning office space based on attendance needs on 'peak days' like Tuesday and Wednesday, rather than simply reducing square footage. Data shows that leased space per office position has only declined about 11% from 2019 to 122 square feet, far below the previously predicted 40% drop. Despite some leases not yet expiring, the market is expected to continue stabilizing in 2026.
November retail sales rose 0.6% month-on-month, spending rebound despite weak consumer confidence
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that retail sales rose 0.6% month-on-month in November, reversing the slight decline of the previous month, but consumer confidence remains suppressed by high prices and a weak job market. Atlanta Fed President Bostic believes the tariff shock has faded, and consumption may rebound in the coming months. Meanwhile, labor market data is weak, job growth has slowed, and low-income households are becoming more cautious in spending.
Stable inflation reinforces Fed's employment-first approach, December core CPI rise below expectations
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that December core CPI rose 0.2% month-over-month and 2.6% year-over-year, below expectations, reinforcing the Fed's recent policy stance focusing on the labor market rather than inflation pressures.
Federal Reserve Chairman Powell Investigated by Justice Department Sparks Bipartisan Opposition from Lawmakers
The Trump administration's investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Powell has triggered strong backlash from bipartisan lawmakers and former Fed officials, who believe the move threatens central bank independence.
The Era of Trump's Deregulation: How CFOs Navigate Carefully Between Opportunities and Risks
Trump's second term has intensified deregulation policies, offering CFOs immediate cost savings and capital flexibility, but regulatory reversals, litigation, and reputational risks require financial leaders to exercise caution. The article cites SEC simplified disclosure, Executive Order 13771, and cases from UiPath and JPMorgan Chase, while emphasizing the importance of internal governance and scenario planning.
US employer hiring slows, cautious outlook for the new year
The pace of hiring by U.S. employers slowed significantly in December, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by only 50,000, far below market expectations. Although the unemployment rate edged down to 4.4%, it remains higher than the 4% level in January 2025. Federal Reserve officials expressed concern over the weakening labor market, and market expectations for the probability of holding interest rates unchanged at the January meeting rose to 95%.
U.S. labor productivity grows at fastest pace in two years, potentially easing inflation pressures
The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that labor productivity grew at the fastest pace in two years in the third quarter, with nonfarm business sector productivity rising at an annualized rate of 4.9% quarter-over-quarter, up from 4.1% in the second quarter. Unit labor costs fell by 1.9%, and economists believe this trend could ease wage pressures and inflation, providing greater flexibility for Federal Reserve policy adjustments.