Finance and Equity
December 5, 2024
Holiday Shopping Online? Remember These Cybersecurity Tips
Online shopping has made it easier than ever to peruse the wares of various businesses and vendors from the comfort of your own home as you search for the perfect gifts this holiday season. However, conducting transactions over the internet always involves inherent risks, as cybercriminals may be lying in wait. As you check friends...
December 3, 2024
Stable Outlook Continues for the U.S. Commercial Lines Market
“Persistently strong” underwriting performance and solid investment returns prompted a continued stable outlook for the U.S. commercial lines sector, according to a market segment report from AM Best. “Our expectation is that the U.S. commercial lines segment will remain profitable in the aggregate and will be resilient in the face of near- and longer-term challenges,”...
November 15, 2024
Inflation Up in October After Six-month Slowdown
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.6% year over year in October, up from 2.4% in September. Although the month’s reading followed six consecutive months of slowing rates, it met economists’ predictions. The inflation increase won’t likely disrupt the Federal Reserve (Fed) as expectations are for...
October 31, 2024
Implications of the 2024 Election on Employee Benefits and Health Care
Millions of Americans have submitted ballots for the 2024 presidential election, and voting concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 5. With a new presidential administration set to take over the White House in January, health care-related topics are a high-priority issue for many voters. Election results hold the potential to bring significant changes to employee benefits and...
September 10, 2024
Pay-or-Play Affordability Percentage Will Increase for 2025
On Sept. 6, 2024, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2024-35 to index the contribution percentage in 2025 for determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2025, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable under the ACA’s “pay-or-play” rules if the employee’s required contribution for self-only...
July 30, 2024
Report: Employers Plan to Raise Wages 3.9% in 2025
The latest Salary Budget Planning Report released by Willis Towers Watson (WTW) shows that salary budget increases are expected to rise by 3.9% in 2025. The overall median pay raise for 2024 dropped to 4.1%, compared with 4.5% in 2023. Although these expected wage increases have diminished since 2023, this figure remains high compared to...
July 16, 2024
Inflation Cooled Further in June
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 3% year over year in June, declining from 3.3% in May. This is the first time since May 2020 that the monthly rate has shown a decrease. The “core” CPI, which strips out the unpredictable food and energy components, increased 0.1%...
June 12, 2024
The Value of D&O Insurance for Private Companies
With today’s growing emphasis on corporate transparency and accountability, an organization’s directors and officers may face a range of liability exposures. For instance, stakeholders and third parties may hold a company’s board members responsible for damages resulting from their alleged mistakes or poor decisions, prompting legal action. Regardless of an organization’s size or mission, the...
June 14, 2023
May Inflation Drops to 4% Year-over-Year Increase, Signaling Inflation May Be Cooling
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 4% year over year in May, a significant decline from 4.9% in April. This is the lowest annual pace since 2021 and slightly below economists’ expectations of a 4.1% increase, according to Refinitiv, global provider of financial market data and...
January 30, 2023
Start 2023 Off Right with Strategic Planning and Goal Setting
Strategic planning and goal setting are incredibly important for businesses of all sizes, as well as for business owners themselves. This process should connect your goals with “why” that goal is important to the activities that people do within the company. A good business coach will guide you through the goal setting process, facilitate the...