How much cash should companies hold? Will CFOs spend big on M&A in 2022, and what will their capex spending plans look like? I posed these and other questions to the CFOs of Foot Locker and Nielsen at WSJ’s CFO Network Summit.
WSJ’s CFO Network Summit
Looking forward to WSJ’s CFO Network Summit tomorrow. We will be discussing interest rates, capex spending and taxes, among many other topics. Follow our coverage on wsj.com and via Twitter @CFOJournal.
VW Finance Chief Expects Inflation to Ease and Chip Shortage to Drag On
Volkswagen CFO Arno Antlitz says the German car maker is mitigating the impact of raw-material and component price increases through rigorous cost-cutting and that higher prices weren’t yet translating into higher wages at the company.
Rivian CFO Says Electric-Vehicle Maker Will Prioritize Growth Over Profits
Rivian Automotive Inc.’s finance chief said the electric-vehicle maker plans to put growth before profit as the company looks to build out the business following its public listing in November.
Companies Expect Funding to Stay Cheap, Despite Looming Rate Increases
CFOs are looking to refinance billions of dollars in debt coming due over the next few years in anticipation of several rate hikes by the Federal Reserve in 2022.
U.S. Companies Are Thriving Despite the Pandemic—or Because of It
Few expected the pandemic to leave U.S. public companies thriving the way they are.
Hormel’s Departing CFO on His Career, Deal Making and the Pandemic
“The CFO’s responsibility is much broader than it was back then,” said Jim Sheehan, Hormel’s finance chief, who is retiring after 43 years at the company.
Dole Looks for Deals and Operational Efficiency After NYSE Listing
Dole, the fruit and vegetable company best known for its banana brand, is scouting the market for potential acquisition targets and working to streamline its operations after combining with Total Produce PLC and listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Exxon’s New CFO Takes On Debt Reduction, Spending Plans
“We’re very focused on paying down debt further,” Exxon CFO Kathryn Mikells said in her first interview since taking on the role. Ms. Mikells also talked about her spending plans, ESG financing and potential new climate disclosures.
Ford CFO John Lawler Draws on His Operations Experience
Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. hired finance chiefs with vastly different backgrounds to help them navigate what is poised to be a transformative period for the automotive industry. Here is a closer look at how Ford is tackling the challenges ahead, including the shift to electric vehicles and new revenue streams.