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.

BASF is navigating wild swings in energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making it all but impossible for the company’s CFO to forecast costs for 2023.

Higher interest costs, inflation and weaker foreign exchange rates are forcing U.K. executives to assess their capital needs and business plans.

Some highly-rated companies are taking out term loans instead of bonds to cover their financing needs, benefitting from cheaper pricing as banks adjust more slowly to higher interest rates than the credit markets.

Delta CFO Dan Janki is looking to reduce the airline’s debt and boost its margins. “One of his strengths is, he is a learner,” a former boss said about the industry outsider.

Bed Bath & Beyond officials were concerned CFO Gustavo Arnal was overwhelmed by the demands being placed on him but didn’t want to change finance leaders during a liquidity crisis, people familiar with the matter said. Mr. Arnal was discussing taking a break before he died by suicide, the people said.

Grab Holdings Ltd. ’s finance chief is pruning the company’s spending as the ride-hailing and food-delivery app looks to cut its losses and get closer to break-even.

Struggling home-goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. on Tuesday named an interim executive to lead its finances, a move aimed at reassuring investors after the death of Chief Financial Officer Gustavo Arnal.

Many finance chiefs scouting for efficiencies are relying on zero-based budgeting, a tool that gained attention during the pandemic, to identify potential savings as they prepare for a possible economic downturn.