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Justin Jones

D&IESG
May 20, 2021

On the Horizon: ‘Much Better Data and Analytics To Do ESG Scoring’

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink shared insights on ESG, D&I and American capitalism with NeuGroup members and guests. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink recently addressed treasurers attending a special session moderated by NeuGroup CEO Joseph Neu that touched on topics including ESG, diversity and inclusion, corporate purpose and American-style capitalism. Among many highlights, Mr. Fink said he is actively urging world leaders to agree on a common set of metrics to judge progress on climate change. “We need every country to come…
Justin Jones
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Capital AllocationCapital Markets
May 20, 2021

Back in Fashion, Buybacks Have Corporates Scoping Capital Structure

Many corporates are deciding whether to restart share repurchase plans suspended in 2020.After the pandemic hit, the volume of share repurchases plummeted and what continued was mainly executed by companies managing the top-20 programs in terms of volume, Societe Generale bankers told assistant treasurers at a recent NeuGroup meeting sponsored by the bank. Dividend payouts, meanwhile, stayed relatively steady and were only cut or canceled as a last resort, Societe Generale said (see chart). An increasing number of companies have…
Justin Jones
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BankingCapital MarketsCOVID-19
May 20, 2021

Bounce Back: Bank Loan Market Quickly Sees ‘Amazing Recovery’ 

U.S. Bank describes the speedy recovery of revolving credit facility issuance.Talk about a rebound: In the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, the value of bank loan facilities put in place by corporates tanked by more than 50% to about $200 billion. In the first quarter, it topped $500 billion, above the level reached a year prior (see chart), due in part to plummeting pricing. This was among the key insights from a loan market update by Jeff Stuart, EVP and…
Justin Jones
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Cash & Working CapitalRisk Management
May 20, 2021

A Look at the Inflation Crystal Ball: Morgan Stanley’s View

Morgan Stanley economist Ellen Zentner says people are becoming “more convinced that inflation is a real thing.”The outlook for inflation and interest rates is a hot topic as the US recovery picks up steam. Here’s the view Morgan Stanley recently outlined for bank treasurers at a recent NeuGroup meeting: Inflationary pressure will almost certainly continue, but even with upwards of $2 trillion in additional capital from the Biden administration’s Build Back Better initiative likely to arrive early next year, the Federal…
Justin Jones
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NeuGroup News
May 18, 2021

NeuGroup Teams With BlackRock CEO Larry Fink To Help Treasurers Make a Difference

A special session moderated by NeuGroup Founder and CEO Joseph Neu brought members together to share and learn on making an ESG impact. NeuGroup wants to offer our great gratitude and appreciation to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and his team as well as all our members who attended a special event last week exploring the vital role of corporates and finance professionals in addressing the most important issues facing society and the world today: climate change and diversity and inclusion.…
Justin Jones
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Investment ManagementTechnology
May 13, 2021

Square’s Bitcoin Investment: The Early Steps of a Crypto Pioneer

Digital payment processor Square describes the details and nuances of its $220 million bitcoin investment.Square, the digital payments company, has generated headlines by investing significant sums in bitcoin—along with crypto heavyweights like MicroStrategy and Tesla (which on Wednesday said it will stop accepting bitcoin for purchases but isn’t selling its stockpile). Allison Rossi, Square’s global treasury lead, recently described details of the company’s $220 million investment—about 5% of its cash— to members of NeuGroup for Cash Investment 1.  Square allows…
Justin Jones
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Investment ManagementTechnology
May 13, 2021

Planning Ahead: What Role Will Cryptocurrency Play in Treasury?

As cryptocurrency takes flight, market maker B2C2 teams with NeuGroup to shine a light on this new world.More than half (52%) of the members at a recent NeuGroup meeting said they expect cryptocurrency to become a regular part of day-to-day treasury activity. To help get members up to speed, NeuGroup teamed with sponsor B2C2, a leading crypto liquidity provider, and other industry leaders. Rob Catalanello, CEO of B2C2 USA, said, “There is a pretty big groundswell of interest from the…
Justin Jones
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COVID-19Treasury Management
May 13, 2021

To Return or Not to Return? That Is the Question 

With control of the pandemic in sight in the US, finance teams confront how to manage a return to the office.As the Covid infection rate in the US falls and vaccinations increase, the issue of when and how companies will bring employees back to the office is heating up. Assistant treasurers at a recent NeuGroup meeting said some staff will return to corporate offices starting in July, raising a bevy of issues for managers. Who will return and how, and…
Justin Jones
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FXRisk Management
May 13, 2021

A Fresh Look: Refining Financial Risk Management Programs

Streamlining a hedging portfolio can seem daunting, but there are advantages for corporates that take the plunge.There’s a growing trend among corporates to take a new look at existing financial risk management programs. Some of the triggers for review are explicit events, such as financial reporting results or restatements, or changes in key personnel. But many companies are finding that longstanding hedging programs may just no longer meet the original program objectives, or may have grown in silos and created…
Justin Jones
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Risk ManagementTalking Shop
May 13, 2021

Talking Shop: Cash Exposure in Counterparty Risk Assessment

Editor’s note: NeuGroup’s online communities give members another forum to find answers to their questions. Talking Shop shares valuable insights from these exchanges, anonymously. Send us your responses: [email protected]. Member question: “In counterparty risk assessment models, related to cash in bank accounts, do teams typically manage cash exposure using a percentage of the total or fixed dollar limits (or both)? If dollar-based, how are limits defined (and how much flexibility is employed)?”Peer answer 1: “We set deposit limits with our…
Justin Jones
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