What makes a great partnership? There are a number of examples of great partnerships that have worked toward a common goal. In the sports world, think of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen or Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. In business, there is the recent success between Apple and Goldman Sachs in ... READ MORE >
coronavirus
COVID-19 stifles middle market private equity dealmaking
U.S. middle market private equity deal and fundraising activity slowed through the second quarter as the global health pandemic continues to ravage American business. According to PitchBook, the number of closed middle market funds – defined as individual funds with assets under management of $1 ... READ MORE >
RSM’s exclusive MMBI survey reveals how the Main Street Lending Program can be improved
Growing uncertainty surrounding another round of fiscal aid in Washington has reignited concerns about the Main Street Lending Program and whether it can help small and midsize organizations find bridge financing as the COVID-19 crisis continues. The program remains woefully undersubscribed. ... READ MORE >
Hotel occupancy data: It’s only half the story
Hotel occupancy is typically measured by the consistent supply of rooms, and on the surface recent numbers have been looking favorable. Occupancy was up to 49.9% in the week ended Aug. 8, up from 48.9% a week earlier, and 45.9% a month earlier. But given that the pandemic has forced closures of ... READ MORE >
Without adjustments, Main Street Lending Program is unlikely to be mainstream
Unlike the strong demand for the Paycheck Protection Program, which saw $350 billion in aid snatched up in the 13 days following its debut, interest in the Main Street Lending Program has been more muted; less than $100 million in aid was requested in the program’s first month, according to data from the ... READ MORE >
The pandemic, health care access and the economy
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has highlighted the massive health care access inequalities that continue to plague the richest country in the world. The coronavirus is attacking both rich and poor, but it is most destructive among the poor who lack access to a healthy living environment. It’s ... READ MORE >
U.S. employment report: Recall of workers slows in July
The recall of workers to their jobs slowed in July as evidence of a much greater problem in the domestic labor force mounts. While the change in total employment of 1.763 million reported by the Labor Department on Friday exceeded the consensus forecast of a 1.4 million gain, that implies that ... READ MORE >
Is cash no longer king?
Living in London for the past three years, I fully embraced the cashless culture. Paying for meals at an outdoor market, for drinks at the pub or to ride the tube was a fast, secure and seamless process using my phone. While working abroad with businesses of all sizes and in various industries, I also got ... READ MORE >
Initial jobless claims: Potential inflection point
Initial jobless claims for the month of July point to a potential inflection point in the American labor market. July's data perfectly captured the flattening out of consumer demand and slowing of overall growth in the economy as the pandemic intensified, all of which resulted in rising ... READ MORE >
US July employment report preview: Stagnation
We anticipate that there will be no increase in total employment for July following two strong months of worker recalls when the U.S. employment data is released on Friday. This is mostly because of the intensification of the pandemic across the South, Southwest and California, as well as the ... READ MORE >