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After a handful of flip-flops, the U.K. government has landed on a 25% corporate tax rate. Despite the expected increase in costs, finance chiefs say they at least know what’s coming.

Corporate funding markets appear to be thawing as finance chiefs at a number of highly rated companies face a year-end deadline decision: Refinance near-term debt coming due with bonds at higher rates now or turn to shorter-term options on the chance rates might be lower in the new year.

Throughout her career, Disney CFO Christine McCarthy gained a reputation of being a straight forward, no-nonsense executive. Her move to express a lack of confidence in Bob Chapek was an unusual one.

Some companies are preparing for a potential downturn and securing additional borrowing capacity they could tap for cash if the economy slides into a recession.

Finance executives at large U.S. companies, including beverage giant Coca-Cola Co. and materials-science company Dow Inc., are increasing their foreign currency hedges and covering longer time periods as the strong dollar continues to take a toll on earnings.

Hertz CFO Kenny Cheung continues to see robust demand, from consumers for cars and from investors for asset backed securities. “We will consider modestly adding to our leverage as and when it makes sense to do so,” Mr. Cheung said.

Higher interest rates are putting more pressure on companies to free up cash from their operations, a cheaper option than relying on credit.

Facing rapidly rising financing costs at home, some U.S. companies are reaping the benefits of lower interest rates abroad. One of them is Columbus, Ga.-based Aflac, which recently raised $1.21 billion in Japan to pay off more expensive debt.

Executives at junk-rated companies are facing sharply higher financing costs as the Fed continues to raise rates, leading some to look for alternatives, while others swallow the increase in price in return for later due dates.