The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation–better known as GDPR–stipulates tight controls for companies handling the consumer data of EU residents. U.S. companies, already challenged by these rules, are now seeing similar controls crop up in the United States, with California leading the way in privacy legislation. RSM’s Alain Marcuse, … … READ MORE >
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What to watch in uncertain times–Joe Brusuelas talks with ACG Global
What do the slowing economy and the ongoing trade dispute with China mean for middle market companies in the U.S.? RSM US Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas recently sat down with Kathryn Mulligan of ACG Global’s Middle Market Growth magazine for a podcast that looks at these issues, along with economic … … READ MORE >
Is the economy headed for recession?
A confluence of factors is conspiring to lay the groundwork for conditions increasingly threatening an end to the current business cycle. … READ MORE >
FOMC minutes: setting up for a change in forecast, balance sheet and policy direction
The January minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee clearly indicated increasing concern about turmoil in financial markets and global trade tensions between the United States and its trading partners. The Fed hinted at a slower pace of growth due to asset volatility and the international economy. Trade tensions and … … READ MORE >
Strategic retreat at the FOMC: Patience as policy
Today the FOMC obtained an unusual objective: It completely walked back a policy narrative implemented in December without meaningfully changing its domestic economic outlook, all while signaling no interest rate increases in the near term. This is a rare strategic retreat by the central bank, clearly driven by doves on … … READ MORE >
Middle market companies yet to embrace hedging, despite mounting costs
Subtitle
Despite mounting cost pressures on their supply chains, just a fraction of middle market companies appear to be hedging commodity prices for the longer term, recent RSM research shows. Nearly 70 percent of executives surveyed in the proprietary RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey said they paid more for goods … … READ MORE >
Better data use has pros and cons for life sciences
The volume and variety of health care data should expand significantly in 2019. Specifically, we will be monitoring growth in data sources outside those collected from traditional electronic health records, including information gleaned from wearable technology and direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Life science companies should consider how best to leverage this … … READ MORE >
Medicaid expansion to lift health care in 2019
Four states—Idaho, Nebraska, Utah and Montana— included Medicaid expansion on their ballots in 2018’s midterm elections. Montana’s ballot item was a renewal of expansion, which failed; the three other states saw Medicaid expansion initiatives pass, and we expect health care providers in those states to benefit in 2019. In addition, … … READ MORE >
Demographics, policy to drive 2019 real estate investment
Fundamentals in the real estate market continue to be strong; however, at this late stage in the business cycle, investors need to be cautious as they venture into the development of more third-tier markets. Changes in demographics will also influence real estate as more people opt to rent, e-commerce grows and the density of offices’ increases amid an increasingly mobile workforce. … READ MORE >
Rising interest rates seen causing asset managers to recalibrate
Policymakers believe the economy is on a strong footing, but the pace of rate increases going forward remains uncertain, and the effects on asset management could be significant. The Federal Open Market Committee is set to meet on Dec. 19, and an interest rate increase of 25-basis-points appears to be 75 percent likely … READ MORE >