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U.S. households built up savings at unprecedented rates following the strong fiscal response and lower consumer spending related to the pandemic. Despite recent rapid drawdowns of those funds, estimates suggest a substantial stock of excess savings remains in the aggregate economy. Since 2020, households across all income levels have held a historically large share of savings in cash or other easily accessible forms. Estimates suggest that those funds could be available to support personal spending at least into the fourth quarter of 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the survey released by advisory firm KPMG International Cooperative, which shows that executives within the chemical industry plan to use significant cash on their balance sheets to pursue strategic acquisitions and new product development to spur growth. According to the survey, more than half of companies have improved their cash positions from 2011. New products or services and the acquisition of a business were revealed as the highest priority investment areas.

The article discusses mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the aerospace and defense industries. A trend is considered in which mergers in those industries have declined in 2012-2013 as companies maintain larger cash positions rather than make investments due to uncertainty about future defense spending in European Union (EU) countries and the U.S.

The article considers a trend in U.S. defense industries finance in which companies are limiting investment and holding large cash positions in expectation of reductions in U.S. defense spending.

The article focuses on Malaysia Airlines (MAS). A financial dilemma for the airline is considered in which its $838 million in business losses for 2011 leave it with insufficient cash reserves to purchase jet transports it has ordered from the aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing Co. Means by which MAS might improve its cash position are considered including a stock issue, the sale and leasing of some of its airplanes, or loans from Malaysia's banking industry.

The article reports on an increase in revenue of law firm Dentons UKMEA for 2015-2016 financial year. Topics discussed include an increase in net profits of the firm due to corporate and commercial practices, improvements in cash position of the firm and appointment of personnel from banking and litigation team of law firm Matthew Arnold & Baldwin.

The article focuses on the financial status of General Electric Co. (GE). It presents the strategies of GE chairman and chief executive Jeffrey Immelt in handling financial problems of the company. However, it predicts that Immelt will find it very hard to restore the high financial performance of the company given the worsening economic climate. It also cites Immelt's approach to strengthen the financial stability and growth in GE Capital. It offers ways on how GE can bounce back its finances.

Provides information on the financial position of Lucent Technologies Inc. as of February 2001. Implications of the company's credit ratings; Expectations on cash outflows for 2001; Effect of the initial public offering of the company Agere on Lucent; Sale of its power systems business to Tyco International.

The article reports on the increase in bank balance of commercial law firm, Burness Paull, of Scotland, a year after the merger of Burness and Paul & Williamsons. It mentions that the firm ended the 2013/2014 financial year with net funds of £4.5 million, according to limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts filed at Companies House.

The article reports that retail industry firm J.C. Penney will make an offering of 84 million shares of stock in an effort to improve its cash position and considers that in relationship to its advertising spending in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Money makers," in the February 12, 2009 issue, and "True believer takes charge" and "Cash Crisis," in the February 19, 2009 issue.

The article reports on the impact of corporate law on cash pooling agreements in Germany. Central liquidity equalisation is essential tools for modern cash management for multinational businesses. However, with the coming of the new law, it prohibits cash pooling agreements resulting to legal conflicts with most cash pooling system. The law mandated by the Federal Court of Justice created two types of problem for companies including those related to capital contribution and capital maintenance.

The article reports on the success story of knowledge-management software provider Objective Corp. The business of the company is highly sustainable. The content management software developed by Objective allows clients to work on various processes within complex operating environments. The company's net cash reserves amounted to $27 million and will probably invest $5 million in research and development.

Opinion. Questions whether big consumer goods companies are increasing earnings by cutting back on advertising spending. The incentive that companies have for keeping earnings-per share in line with analysts' expectations; Wall Street rewarding companies for keeping earnings on target regardless how they do it; The report in `The Wall Street Journal' that indicated that Gillette had reduced its advertising spending to keep earnings up.