According to Accounting Today, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has disciplined five auditing firms for violating its rules and standards when communicating with audit committees. Questions Source: Cohn, M. (2023) PCAOB sanctions firms over audit committee communications. Accounting Today, July 28 (Retrievable online at https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-sanctions-firms-over-audit-committee-communications?)
Posts Categorized: Financial Reporting and Analysis
Mega Worries for the U.S. Post Office
According to Bloomberg News, about $24.8 billion of US office buildings were in distress at the end of the second quarter, resulting in a higher amount of real estate worries than the leading commercial real estate laggards — hotels and retail properties. Questions: Source: Gittelsohn, J. (2023). Distressed US Offices Jump to $24.8 Billion, More… Read more »
Forever Chemicals Settlement; No Liability Admitted
According to the New York Times, chemical giant, 3M, reached a $10.3 billion settlement deal with U.S. cities and towns regarding claims that the company contaminated drinking water with so-called forever chemicals used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick coatings. Questions: Source: Friedman, L and V. Giang. (2023) 3M Reaches $10.3 Billion Settlement in… Read more »
Virgin Orbit Files for Bankruptcy
According to the New York Times, the satellite launch company, founded by Richard Branson, announced sweeping cuts last week as it struggled to recover from a high-profile rocket failure in January. Questions: Source: Granville, K. (2023) Virgin Orbit Files for Bankruptcy After Failed Launch and Lack of Funding. The New York Times, April 4 (Retrievable… Read more »
Bank Vulnerability
According to the Washington Post, a new study shows that hundreds of banks in the United States would be in danger of failing if they were hit by runs similar to the one that recently brought down Silicon Valley Bank. Questions: Source: Werner, E. (2023). Hundreds of banks would be vulnerable in SVB-style runs, researchers… Read more »
Reining in Crypto
According to the New York Times, the SEC fined cryptocurrency lending firm Nexo for violating federal securities law. Questions: Source: Yaffe-Bellany, D. (2023) Crypto Lender Nexo Is Fined $45 Million as Crackdown Widens. The New York Times, Jan. 19 (Retrievable online at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/19/business/nexo-sec-crypto-fined.html?)
How Common is Securities Fraud?
According to a new study, ten percent of public companies commit securities fraud each year. Questions: Source: Livni, E. (2023) Just How Common Is Corporate Fraud? The New York Times, Jan. 14 (Retrievable online at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/14/business/dealbook/how-common-is-corporate-fraud.html?)
A Bad Year for Bonds
According to the New York Times, although it has been a bad year for bonds, the future appears to be brighter. Questions: Should you buy bonds as a speculative bet for 2023? What did the period from January through October 2022 look like for bonds? What are the long-term prospects for bonds, according to the… Read more »
Nikola Fraud Update
Trevor Milton convicted of securities fraud after 6-year successful stock market run. His company and concept car was all a lie! Questions: Why do, as the article says, “corporate executives tend to portray activist short sellers as vigilantes?” Related to the first question, what has Nathan Anderson’s firm done in the past several years? Why… Read more »
Stocks extend Losses
There has been a lot of market movement since Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech last Friday. Questions: What did Powell say about interest rates? 2. What did the article say that Powell’s speech is trying to remind people about? 3. How high do you think interest rates will be raised? 4. What do the… Read more »