McKinsey on Finance, Number 84

How should CFOs approach generative AI—enterprise-wide and in the finance function—and what can they do right now to rapidly climb the learning curve?

A high-tech pioneer describes how technology has continually disrupted business, why generative AI is accelerating today’s disruption, and what leaders can do to stay ahead.

Our latest research shows that programmatic acquirers continue to create value from this approach to M&A and identifies the capabilities and practices these companies use to deliver their M&A strategies.

It’s hard for companies to significantly beat long-term market TSR, harder still for the largest corporations, and hardest of all in the face of low growth. But industry endowment needn’t be destiny.

As surveyed CFOs concurrently manage defensive and growth-oriented considerations, they expect major changes in the months ahead and see two pivotal paths for strengthening their organizations.

Large, stable corporations almost never cut dividends as a strategic choice. Instead, they reduce dividends only when they have low earnings or when challenging economic conditions force their hand.

Investors want companies to sharpen their equity story and clarify the value of their sustainability initiatives. Here’s what company leaders can do.

Reading the press, it’s easy to conclude that companies focused on maximizing shareholder returns aren’t doing much for employment, and if anything, new business models and innovations such as generative AI and other automation technologies tend to systematically kill jobs.