AFP EconWatch - December 10, 2012

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• Corporate Cash Flowing to Business Investments: AFP SurveyThe 2013 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by RBS Citizens, found that treasurers and CFOs were more likely to have expanded corporate cash and short-term investment holdings over the past year than to have contracted them. Companies that increased cash holdings did so primarily as a result of higher operating cash flows and companies that reduced cash were making clear investments for the future.
• AFP Fraudwatch: Common Internal Fraud Threats for CorporatesDuring the closing keynote address at last week’s AFP of Canada Treasury Management forum, fraud expert Chris Mathers discussed some of the top fraud threats to businesses. One area where many organizations can do a better job, Mathers said, is with recognizing and eliminating internal fraud.
• Canadian Corporates: Improve Productivity with InnovationKeynote speaker Amanda Lang of CBC News began last week’s AFP of Canada Treasury Management Forum by addressing a crisis Canada is facing that predates the 2008 credit crisis. And if Canadian businesses continue to ignore it, she warned, the nation runs the risk of falling behind.
• Case Study: Natural Hedging for Risk ManagementWhile the traditional hedging process is adequate, forecast deviations combined with currency swings on growing exposures add volatility to the company’s P&L. Treasurers will ask: “How can we reduce the balance-sheet risk before even considering entering into FX contracts?” The answer: employ a “natural hedge” strategy using the tools and personnel already available.
  
  
• Rep. Lynn Jenkins Brings Treasury Background to CongressWith corporate tax reform heating up in Congress, it’s helpful that treasury and finance professionals have a former colleague on the inside. Rep. Lynn Jenkins is arguably the most prominent treasurer-turned-Congressman.