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☆ Consumers are stressed. It could be showing in how we bought toys in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Consumers bought fewer toys in all of 2023, including during the key Christmas toy-buying period, showing that households continue to pare back on discretionary products. But toy sales in all of 2023 dropped 8%, both in dollar terms (how much consumers paid for toys) and in unit sales (meaning how many toys consumers bought). This shows that shoppers bought fewer toys but also traded down in prices to cheaper toys. “While 2023 was a challenging year for the U.S. toy industry, the four-year compound annual growth rate remains positive,” she said. Among the toys that consumers did buy in 2023, Pokémon, Barbie and Squishmallows were the top three best-selling brands last year, according to Circana.

Persons: pare, Circana, ”, Juli Lennett, Lennett, I’ve, “, ” Lennett, ” Jon Copestake, EY, ” Copestake, ” Robby Pettinato, Joy, ” Pettinato, Toy Joy, “ Anecdotally, “ That’s, it’s, Pettinato, Barbie, Squishmallows, Price, Melissa, Doug, – CNN’s Alicia Wallace, Katie Lobosco Organizations: New, New York CNN — Consumers, Commerce Department, Hasbro, Wild, Inc, CNN, ”, Star, Marvel, Disney Locations: New York, United States, U.S, Austin

And while the economy usually comes out on top as the issue for most voters, there are doubts over whether even a good economy is enough for Joe Biden to win a second term. Certainly, the improving economy – and most importantly an inflation rate that is trending back to the Federal Reserve’s desired 2% annual target – should be an asset for Biden. “Obviously perceptions of Biden and Trump are largely baked in and have been for a long time” says Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. “We’re playing at the margins at best.”For Democrats, running on a good economy will present its own challenges. The wing nuts have disproportionate power.”Ramamurti still believes that Biden should emphasize the economy, saying, “I’m of the view that good news is good news.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Jose Torres, ” Powell, “, Biden, Al Capone, Alejandro Mayorkas, Bharat Ramamurti, Trump, Lee Miringoff, David Walker, Walker, “ There’s, ” Ramamurti, Ramamurti, Gregory Daco, Pollsters, Mark Zandi Organizations: Federal, Biden, Fed, Interactive, Republicans, Democrats, CBS, Trump, GOP, Homeland, National Economic Council, Marist, ”, Marist Institute, Public, Biden Administration, Republican, Democratic Party, Democrat, Dow Jones, Moody's Locations: Pennsylvania

☆ India's moment has arrived — but many hurdles remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Spriha Srivastava | Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

India's economy is expected to expand by 6.5% this year, according to IMF forecasts. The world's most populous nation was keen to talk up its prospects at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Advertisement"India has seized the moment," proclaimed housing minister Hardeep Singh Puri with confidence during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month. The 10-strong group of emerging market nations now accounts for 45% of the world's population and 28% of global GDP. AdvertisementSome economists have criticized the government's narrative as a "false growth story," highlighting discrepancies in the data and criticizing the methods used to calculate economic growth.

Persons: —, Hardeep Singh, Smriti Irani, BI's Spriha Srivastava, that's, Narendra Modi's, Cash, Modi, SAJJAD HUSSAIN, I've, Andy Baldwin, EY, Narendra Modi, Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Dan Kitwood, Getty, ISRO Goldman Sachs, Ashoka Mody, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vladimir Putin, Singh Organizations: Economic, Service, BI, IMF, Business, Apple, ISRO, Princeton University, World Bank, US, of, Hindustan Times, Harvard Business Locations: Davos, India, China, Japan, Brazil, China India, India's, Ukraine

☆ A Rivian R1T blew through steel guardrails, reflecting safety experts' warnings about heavy vehicles and even heavier EVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The crash test highlights safety experts' concerns about faster and heavier EVs. AdvertisementA new video of a Rivian truck bursting through steel guardrails during a crash test highlights some of the safety concerns experts have raised about heavy electric vehicles. Bigger the car, deadlier the crashSafety experts have previously raised concerns about the risks heavy vehicles and heavier EVs could bring to the roads. In the UK, safety experts say the heavier weight could cause older parking garages across the country to collapse. "There is some urgency to address this issue," Cody Stolle, Midwest Roadside Safety Facility's assistant director, told the publication.

Persons: —, Rivian, Ann Carlson, Charles Krupa, Kevin Heaslip, Politifact, Steve Patton, Alexa St, John, Zhe Ji, Myles Russell, they're, Cody Stolle, Ford Organizations: Service, University of Nebraska, Safety Facility, Nebraska Today, Midwest, Safety, National, Traffic Safety Administration, Reuters, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Center for Transportation Research, University of Tennessee, P Global Mobility, EV, Alexa, Ferrari, GMC, Ford, Madison Hall, McLaren, Anadolu, Getty, Research, Tesla Locations: Manchester , New Hampshire, Canadian, North America

☆ January jobs report: Expect to see strong but slower hiring and an uptick in the unemployment rate
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New York CNN —The first jobs report for 2024, set to be released at 8:30 am ET Friday, is expected to underscore the strength of the US economy despite 11 rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. That can make the January jobs report among the trickiest to forecast, said Sarah House, a senior economist with Wells Fargo. Friday’s jobs report also will include the final annual benchmark review of payroll data for the 12 months that ended in March 2023. However, excluding January 2023, last month’s job cuts were the highest seen in January since 2009, according to Challenger. US worker productivity grew 3.2% in the fourth quarter, according to a BLS report released Thursday.

Persons: Jerome Powell, he’s, Sarah House, Wells, “ We’re, ”, there’s, Boussour, EY, ” Boussour, Daniel Zhao, Zhao, haven’t, ” Andrew Challenger, people’s paychecks, ” Diane Swonk, “, —, Swonk Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Labor, Workers, Challenger, ”, BLS, KPMG, CNN Locations: New York, Wells Fargo, United States

☆ Fed Chair Powell says the job market is still strong. Here’s how the numbers break down
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

That can make the January jobs report among the trickiest to forecast, said Sarah House, a senior economist with Wells Fargo. Friday’s jobs report also will include the final annual benchmark review of payroll data for the 12 months that ended in March 2023. Fresh data on job cuts and productivityOn Thursday, the layoff picture became clearer. However, excluding January 2023, last month’s job cuts were the highest seen in January since 2009, according to Challenger. US worker productivity grew 3.2% in the fourth quarter, according to a BLS report released Thursday.

Persons: Jerome Powell, he’s, Sarah House, Wells, “ We’re, ”, there’s, Boussour, EY, ” Boussour, Daniel Zhao, Zhao, haven’t, ” Andrew Challenger, people’s paychecks, ” Diane Swonk, “, —, Swonk Organizations: New, New York CNN, of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Labor, Workers, Challenger, ”, BLS, KPMG, CNN Locations: New York, Wells Fargo, United States

The firm’s monthly survey showed 107,000 jobs were added, well below the 145,000 estimate. “Progress on inflation has brightened the economic picture despite a slowdown in hiring and pay,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. The ADP report comes two days ahead of the Labor Department’s monthly jobs report for January, with consensus estimates for about a 180,000 gain in payrolls after December’s better-than-expected 216,000 increase. “The January jobs report will likely show that the labor market started the year on a solid note,” said Lydia Boussour, EY senior economist. The strong job market and U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter led the International Monetary Fund to boost its projections of global economic growth this year.

Persons: ”, Nela Richardson, December’s, Lydia Boussour, EY, “, Jerome Powell, José Torres Organizations: ADP, Labor, Federal Reserve, Observers, Interactive, International Monetary Fund, IMF Locations: U.S, payrolls, hawkish, –

☆ Premarket stocks: The Fed isn’t vexing markets. Here’s what might
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But with practically all of Wall Street in agreement that no changes will be made, investors are focused on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s afternoon press conference where he’ll answer questions about his outlook for monetary policy. Conflict in the Middle East and the Red Sea in particular “poses a risk to global trade,” said EY Senior Economist Lydia Boussour on Tuesday. That’s a huge blow to trade: As much as 15% of global trade and 25%-30% of global container shipments transit through the waterway. “For now, we don’t expect the situation in the Red Sea to substantially alter the outlook for global inflation and global monetary policy this year,” said Boussour. The company reported earnings per share of $2.93, beating Wall Street expectations of $2.79.

Persons: Jerome Powell’s, Powell isn’t, we’ve, ” Johns, Laurence Ball, Kevin Gordon, Charles Schwab, Gordon, ”, There’s, Jay Powell, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, Joe Biden, “, Brent, EY, Lydia Boussour, “ We’ve, Satya Nadella Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, ” Johns Hopkins, “, Commerce Department, West Texas Intermediate, International Monetary, Microsoft, Revenue Locations: New York, East, Europe, China, Jordan, Gaza, Suez, Iran

Global inflation is expected to fall to 5.8% in 2024 and to 4.4% in 2025. “The global economy begins the final descent toward a soft landing, with inflation declining steadily and growth holding up. That is not to say the global economy is without challenges. It also raises concerns about a revival of global inflation pressures as importers face surging shipping costs,” said Lydia Boussour, senior economist at EY-Parthenon. “For now, we don’t expect the situation in the Red Sea to substantially alter the outlook for global inflation and global monetary policy this year,” she added.

Persons: ” Pierre, Olivier Gourinchas, ”, Lydia Boussour, Gourinchas, ” Gourinchas, Eric LeCompte, LeCompte Organizations: Monetary Fund, IMF, Federal Reserve, . News, USA Locations: U.S, China, –, Ukraine, Iranian, Suez, EY, India, Russia, East, Central Asia, Saudi Arabia, “, Brazil

☆ EY is tracking staff office attendance with 'turnstile access' data, as some teams disregard RTO mandates
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewConsulting giant EY is keeping track of how often staff attend its offices through turnstile access data as some teams disregard its return to office policies in the UK, the Financial Times reported first. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. One person told the FT that some partners are being shown data that connects office attendance to mid-year performance ratings. Similarly, JPMorgan required employees to return to its office three to five days a week, depending on seniority. EY declined to comment when contacted by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Kevin Ellis, PWC, EY Organizations: Service, Financial Times, Business, Partners, Citigroup, JPMorgan, Economic

☆ Big pharma is at a crossroads, as J&J, Merck and others prepare to lose heaps of revenue from blockbuster drugs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Bristol Myers Squibb's Eliquis is a blood thinner used to prevent clotting, to reduce the risk of stroke. Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo is an immunotherapy used to treat cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer. Investors will get updates on Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb's plans for the years ahead when they report earnings on Thursday and Friday, respectively. That's unlike generics, which are cheaper copycats of small-molecule drugs like Bristol Myers Squibb's Eliquis. Bristol Myers Squibb is also testing a new form of Opdivo, which is currently administered into a patient's veins.

Persons: Johnson, William Blair, Matt Phipps, Bristol Myers, Johnson's, Merck's Keytruda, J's Stelara, Opdivo, Phipps, biosimilars, Eliquis, Biosimilars, Humira, JB Reed, Samsung's, Piper Sandler, Christopher Raymond, AbbVie, Raymond, Chris Schott, Schott, Robert Davis, Keytruda, Davis, JPMorgan's Schott, Bristol Myers Squibb, George Frey, J, Amgen, J confidentially, Mike Perrone, It's, Anna Moneymaker Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Johnson, NYSE Big, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Biden, William Blair & Company, CNBC, Guggenheim, Bristol, Leerink Partners, Bloomberg, Getty, Bioepis, JPMorgan, JPMorgan Health Care, Moderna, Bristol Myers, Karuna Therapeutics, Hardy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Reuters, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Pharma, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services Locations: drugmakers, EY, Europe, U.S, Cambridge , Massachusetts, Arda, EY's Americas, Bristol, Salt Lake City , Utah, Washington , DC

☆ Younger workers are actually using AI on the job less than Gen X and millennials
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Digital natives like Gen Z may appear to be more open to using AI than older workers. Gen Xers and millennials employed in the US were found to use ChatGPT at work more than Gen Zers. Surprisingly, the consulting giant found that older American workers appear to be more open to using AI than their younger counterparts. For some Gen Zers, using AI has helped in their jobs. While some studies find that generative AI has saved hours of work, others suggest that using ChatGPT can make workers perform worse.

Persons: Young, Xers, millennials, Zers, —, Ernst & Young, Gen, they've, Marcie Merriman, Merriman, Gen Zers —, doesn't, Z, Dan Diasio, Morgan Young Organizations: Ernst, Service Locations: Americas

The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 2% for the month, as did the core index that omits food and energy costs. On an annual basis, the overall index remained unchanged at 2.6% while the core fell to 2.9% from 3.2% in November. The rise in the core index was the slowest since the spring of 2021. The core index is often cited by Fed officials as their barometer for inflation. “The meeting statement is likely to drop the hawkish bias from its forward guidance, but stop short of signaling rate cuts.

Persons: ”, Robert Frick, “, Lydia Boussour, Jerome Powell, Jeremy Schwartz, Ruchir Sharma Organizations: Federal, Economic, Fed, Navy Federal Credit Union, Federal Reserve, Reserve, Nomura Securities, Nomura, Aichi Amemiya

The U.S. economy ended 2023 with a bang, as growth in gross domestic product in the fourth quarter came in at 3.3%, easily dashing expectations on strong consumer spending and exports. Economists had predicted a gain of 2% for the quarter following the third quarter’s 4.9% increase, driven by strong consumer spending, rebuilding of inventories and a resilient labor market. Although 2023 outperformed, defying predictions of a recession even as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to a level not seen in four decades, most economists are forecasting growth slowing this year. The strong fourth quarter number is likely to cast doubt on whether the Fed will begin cutting interest rates as early as the market thinks. “Consumers will likely remain cautious with their spending as they confront ‘cost fatigue’ and less vibrant labor market conditions.

Persons: ”, Steve Rick, Gregory Daco, Daco, Jerome Powell, “, ” Daco Organizations: Federal Reserve, TruStage, “, Fed, Labor Department Locations: U.S, Ukraine

☆ Extreme greed is back on Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

That’s all heralded the return of extreme greed to Wall Street. The S&P 500 is up 2.6% and the Dow is 0.6% higher. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are both on pace to score their sixth-straight winning sessions. CNN’s Fear and Greed Index, which tracks seven indicators of market sentiment in the United States, tipped into “Extreme Greed” this week, marking a stunning turnaround from just a few months ago, when the index was in Extreme Fear territory. The idea of a soft landing (when inflation rates ease and the economy avoids recession) is likely playing a big part.

Persons: we’re, ”, Lydia Boussour, “, Christopher Waller, Bill Gates, Henry Allen, Allen Organizations: New, New York CNN, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Dow, Gross, Commerce Department, Consumer, Federal, National Association for Business Economics, Fed, ” Financial, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Investment, Deutsche Bank, Big Tech Locations: New York, United States

☆ EY forecasts M&A activity will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEY forecasts M&A activity will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2024Mitch Berlin, EY Americas vice chair of strategy and transactions, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss a potential merger and acquisition rebound in 2024, the impact of rates on deals, and more.

Persons: Mitch Berlin Organizations: EY Locations: EY Americas

☆ Blockchain expert explains why stablecoins are the "most important" asset for regulators to work on
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBlockchain expert explains why stablecoins are the "most important" asset for regulators to work onPaul Brody of EY discusses why he believes central bank digital currencies do not hold much value, and what regulators' next steps should be post-crypto ETF approvals.

Persons: stablecoins, Paul Brody, EY

☆ 'We think the latter part of the year, things will get better' for business, says EY CEO
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'We think the latter part of the year, things will get better' for business, says EY CEOCarmine di Sibio, CEO of EY, discusses interest rates, geopolitics and his outlook for the coming year.

Persons: Carmine di Sibio

☆ AI is the latest job recruiter, and it could cut bias in hiring
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

When women knew AI, not humans, would review their job applications, they were more likely to apply. A researcher told BI that AI could be a useful tool but humans should always decide on hiring. It's possible that AI, working as a gatekeeper, will do a better job than humans at reducing bias in how we get jobs . Helping tech bros be less bro-eyWomen seeking tech jobs seem to be on board with AI as a surrogate recruiter, according to Leibbrandt's research. When AI was in the driver's seat — at least with the initial screening of an application — women were more likely to put in an application.

Persons: —, Andreas Leibbrandt, Leibbrandt, you'll, Barb Hyman, Hyman, who's Organizations: Service, Australia's Monash University, Business

☆ Just 4% of CEOs are prioritizing bringing workers back into the office full time
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CEOs are letting up on the battle to get employees to return to the office full-time, five days a week, according to a CEO survey from The Conference Board. Just 4% of US CEOs and 4% of CEOs worldwide say they will prioritize bringing workers back to the office full time, the survey found. Toward the latter half of 2023, major companies announced they were getting stricter on office work — but notably didn’t announce a full return. An EY US survey of C-suite corporate leaders found that full-time remote work plummeted from 34% in 2022 to just 1% in 2023. The study also noted that hybrid work is “firmly established.”CEOs will have to approach hybrid work at an industry-by-industry level, Scott said.

Persons: isn’t, ” Diana Scott, it’s, Scott, ”, It’s, Andy Jassy, –, Jeanne Sahadi, Jordan Valinsky Organizations: New, New York CNN, Conference Board, UPS, CNN, Amazon, Meta, Labor Locations: New York, United States, Latin America, Japan, Europe

☆ Inflation is down sharply, but getting to exactly 2% will be tough
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, measured 2.6% annually in November. So, getting that number down to the Fed’s 2% target should happen in no time, right? That’s because much of the run-up in inflation came from pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions and unusual spikes in demand. The reason is that as inflation cools more, the remaining components that work to keep inflation above the Fed’s target are increasingly “sticky,” meaning they’re the least responsive to changes in market conditions. And it’s so far, so good.”That said, though it’s not the Fed’s go-to inflation gauge, Thursday’s CPI report showed that the road to 2% could come with more bumps.

Persons: ”, John Cochrane, Jerome Powell, Gregory Daco, That’s, Powell, Cochrane, “, ” Paul Donovan, ” Powell, I’d, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hoover Institute, “, University of Chicago, CNN, UBS Global Wealth Management Locations: New York, EY

☆ For Microsoft and OpenAI, after a year in the 'hype cycle,' the Copilot corporate spending boom is just getting started
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-20 | by ( Eric Rosenbaum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

While another third (32%) said they have not made the spending decision, only 13% said they would not be acquiring similar gen AI capabilities. Microsoft has pointed to customers including Visa, BP, Honda and Pfizer using Copilot, and professional services firm partners on Copilot AI including Accenture, EY, KPMG, and PwC. And even amid the hype, it's important to keep in mind that as gen AI spending grows, it is still dwarfed by companies' cybersecurity budget needs. That means roughly $5 will be spent on security for every dollar spent on gen AI. But it's growing, and for now at least, when it comes to the billions in gen AI spending, Microsoft is in the pole position.

Persons: Dan Ives, Google Bard, Satya Nadella, Sam Altman, Altman, Jason Wong, Wong, Joe Atkinson, That's, Copilot, It's, Gartner, it's, Will, John Lovelock Organizations: Microsoft, Wedbush Securities, " Enterprises, Google, CNBC Technology, Survey, Gartner, Visa, BP, Honda, Pfizer, Accenture, EY, KPMG, CNBC, CNBC TEC, SAP, Adobe, Amazon Web, Meta, SharePoint Locations: San Francisco , California, U.S, Copilot, Salesforce, that's

☆ Will 2024 bring good tidings to media and telecom companies? That's unlikely
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-19 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Still, legacy media companies including Disney, Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Since the "Great Netflix Correction" of 2022, there isn't a unifying growth narrative for media and entertainment companies. Disney, Paramount Global and NBCUniversal have all pegged 2025 as their flagship streaming services' first full year of profitability. Beyond financial metrics, several executives privately acknowledged morale has become an increasing concern at legacy media companies. One executive noted he's increasingly hearing from peers that running media and entertainment companies just isn't as fun as it was five or 10 years ago.

Persons: Corey Martin, Granderson Des Rochers, Martin, Jerome Powell, Liu Jie, Shari Redstone, David A, CNBC Shari Redstone, Biden, Sinclair, Lina Khan, Joe Biden, Khan, There's, John Harrison, Brian Roberts, Drew Angerer, Donald Trump, Trump, David Zaslav, Michael M, Disney, Nelson Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Bob Iger, he's, LightShed's Rich Greenfield Organizations: Universal Studios, Warner Bros . Discovery, Disney, Paramount Global, Comcast, Granderson, U.S, Federal, Washington , D.C, Xinhua News Agency, Getty, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Allen, Co . Media, Technology Conference, Grogan, CNBC, Trump, Nexstar, Gray Television, Federal Trade, Verizon, Mobile, NBCUniversal, CBS, NBC, EY, Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, Trump's Department, Justice, Time Warner, Republican, Democratic, Netflix, Cable, Warner Bros, New York Times, Santiago, Getty Images Media, Management, Paramount Locations: Washington ,, United States, Sun Valley , Idaho, Tegna, Europe, U.S, EY Americas, New York City

☆ How bosses keep track of your attendance at the office, from under-desk sensors to badge swipes
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-12 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Return-to-office plans put renewed attention on these tactics, which range from badge swipes to various sensors. Here are the most popular ways employers track office utilization, according to a new survey from EY. With heightened focus on hauling workers back to the office, companies are deploying more "bossware" technologies to monitor compliance with RTO mandates. AdvertisementEY's survey asked respondents, "How are you currently collecting data to maximize and optimize your office space?" It's no secret some companies use their office attendance findings to discipline or fire workers refusing to go back to the office.

Persons: —, EY, Francisco Acoba, what's, Acoba Organizations: Service, EY's, Real Estate Consulting, Technology, Bluetooth Low Energy

☆ Vietnamese companies eye the U.S. IPO market amid a lull in Chinese listings
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-06 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While not strictly an IPO, the listing was soon followed by Vietnamese tech unicorn VNG's filing to list on the Nasdaq. As local companies grow, "they are outgrowing the ability of those markets to provide the capital that they need," said Drew Bernstein, co-chairman of accounting firm MarcumAsia. Since the fallout over Didi in the summer of 2021, regulation and a tepid U.S. IPO market have stalled most Chinese listing plans. She said given the success of Southeast Asian ride-hailing company Grab , more Vietnamese companies are starting to look beyond the domestic market to regional business. George Chan, global IPO leader at EY, expects "a lot" of companies from Southeast Asia will reach the IPO stage in the next 12 to 18 months, and might also consider the Hong Kong exchange.

Persons: Scott Mlyn, VinFast, Johan Annell, VNG, Drew Bernstein, It's, Bernstein, who'd he'd, Didi, Gary Dvorchak, Blueshirt, Nguyen Nguyen, Vu Van, ELSA, Van, George Chan Organizations: New York Auto Show, CNBC BEIJING, U.S, Spade, Nasdaq, ARC Group, China -, Renaissance Capital, Investor, CNBC, World Bank, Southeast Asia — Locations: Asia, U.S, Vietnam, Beijing, Cayman Islands, Malaysia, China, China - U.S, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong

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