8 May 2008
Landmark change predicted in technology and structure of power utilitiesSweeping changes lie ahead in the power utilities industry, according to the latest Utilities Global Survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The 2008 report, A World of Difference, marks the tenth anniversary of the annual survey of 118 senior executives in 37 countries and reveals a sector that is anticipating wide scale transformation in the decade ahead. The changes they predict include a different technological landscape and structure of the sector in the future.
8 May 2008
Currency issues plague forest and paper industry, but good news coming from southern hemisphere and emerging marketsCurrency is one of the biggest issues facing the forest, paper and packaging industry around the world, in particular Canada and Europe. But the news is not all bad for the global industry. According to findings released today by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at its 21st annual Global Forest and Paper Industry Conference in Vancouver, the southern hemisphere and other emerging markets (Central America, South America and non-Japan Asia) are prospering, in particular due their use of new technologies, fertile soil and low wood costs.
23 April 2008
Companies seek an edge through engaged employeesThe report, Managing People in a Changing World: Key Trends in Human Capital – A Global Perspective 2008, shows how companies can plot levels of engagement for an entire work force by looking at data relating to resignation levels, absence rates, employee attitudes, training hours per full-time employee (FTE), performance related pay and incidence of grievance. These range from the high levels of engagement that produce positive behaviours such as flexibility and innovation to the other end of the scale where companies experience resignations, absence, pilfering, theft, oppositional solidarity, even sabotage..
15 April 2008
Metals deals forging ahead to unprecedented levelsDeal making in the global metals sector soared to unprecedented levels during 2007 and is up 67% on the previous year, despite the impact of the credit crunch. ‘Forging Ahead’, the latest study of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the sector by PricewaterhouseCoopers, also found there have been dynamic shifts of focus: from steel to aluminium and away from Western Europe to the new M&A hotspot of North America.
14 April 2008
CEOs of companies in emerging markets confident of growthA new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers "Convergence & Differentiation: What is success in a connected world?", launched at the World Economic Forum’s on Latin America meeting in Cancun, finds that growth in emerging markets is outstripping that of developed nations, blurring traditional economic distinctions. In addition to the well-established emergence of the BRIC economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China), intra-regional trade and investment is fuelling explosive growth in such countries as Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
10 April 2008
Cost of chronic diseases hurts business and threatens economic sustainabilityThe rising cost of chronic diseases, including direct medical costs and indirect costs associated with lost productivity, is a growing burden for businesses, according to research prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers in conjunction with the World Economic Forum. The report warns that over the next 25 years chronic disease will reduce the available labour supply, savings, investments and ultimately affect the capital markets, and outlines the business rationale for workplace wellness programmes. It states that in an interdependent global economy, chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory illness, are creating a significant societal risk that threatens health systems and economic sustainability.
31 March 2008
CEOs call for loosening of regulatory shackles to help business be more competitive in battle against economic downturnBusiness leaders accept that in an interconnected global economy there will always be a regulatory burden; the challenge for business and governments is to ensure the burden is justified by the benefits it produces. This is one of the findings from a new annual study called Regulate & Collaborate: Government and the Global CEO undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers to supplement its prestigious Annual Global CEO Survey.
26 March 2008
"Stepping stones" key to advancement in workplace, say PricewaterhouseCoopers female leadersThe research, conducted by PwC’s Gender Advisory Council, gathered perspectives from 79 female leaders within PwC's global network on issues pertaining to women in leadership roles. It sheds light on the various obstacles faced by women as they rise within the ranks of professional services firms. The report provides recommendations on how to build corporate gender diversity in order to increase the bottom line while still promoting the advancement of women in the workplace.
18 March 2008
Eat or be eaten in the mining sector as M&A activity reaches new recordsThe report finds little evidence of a slowdown in deal activity as a result of the credit crunch. Indeed the number of mining deals announced in the fourth quarter of 2007 was more than double the level recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2006 and the latest heavyweight moves by the biggest players has got 2008 mining deal-making off to an unprecedented start.
12 March 2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited appoints Carrie Yu to the Global BoardCarrie, who is responsible for coordinating strategy and service delivery within the retail and consumer sectors globally, has over 20 years of auditing experience in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Canada. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
4 March 2008
China to overtake us by 2025, but Vietnam may be fastest growing of emerging economiesThe World in 2050: Beyond the BRICs’ concludes that long-term prospects for China, India and other so-called ‘E7’ economies (Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia and Turkey) are still upbeat, but the report looks for the first time at an additional 13 emerging economies that also have the potential to grow significantly faster than the established Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
14 February 2008
Oil and gas M&A undeterred by the credit crunchThere was no clear evidence of a decline in oil and gas deal activity in the second half of the year as the credit crunch broke. Indeed, the number of final quarter deals in 2007 was 7% up on the final quarter of 2006. What is clear, though, is the changing dynamics of M&A activity within the sector. Oilfield service deals continue to boom reflecting growth in demand and utilisation rates for rigs as well as the need for service companies to scale-up globally in a consolidating market.
13 February 2008
Green movement offers significant market opportunities for the technology sector according to PricewaterhouseCoopers studyAs public awareness and support for global environmentalism increases, technology organizations are beginning to implement green initiatives to mitigate their impact on the planet. However, altruism is just one of many motivating factors behind the green movement according to a recent study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers titled: “Technology Executive Connections: Going Green: Sustainable Growth Strategies.” The strongest driver is economic.
6 February 2008
Forest, paper and packaging CEOS go back to basics in an evolving worldForest, paper and packaging companies are adjusting to a changing environment, according to CEO Perspectives, launched today by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Interviews with around 25 FPP CEOs across the developed and emerging markets identified four key trends -- attaining the right business model, cost control, sustainability and leadership. FPP companies are reconfiguring to meet these opportunities-cum-challenges, but views are mixed as to whether the industry has yet reached a turning point in its profitability.
6 February 2008
Power deals continue to set new records despite credit crunchPower sector M&A soared to new record levels in 2007, despite the effect of the credit crunch. The latest edition of Power Deals, the annual review by PricewaterhouseCoopers of power sector M&A, shows a 25% year on year increase, with the worldwide 2007 power deal value of US$372.5bn nearly nine times above the US$43bn recorded just four years earlier in 2003. Records continue to be set in the sector for the total number and value of deals and for the size of individual deals.
30 January 2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers entrusted with Hollywood’s best kept secrets for 74 years runningContinuing its distinguished 74-year association with the Academy Awards®, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP today announced that Brad Oltmanns and Rick Rosas will again lead the balloting process for the 80th Annual Academy Awards.
22 January 2008
Fear of recession is dominant concern among global CEOs; CEOs in emerging economies more confident than in developed countriesCEOs' confidence about prospects for business declined for the first time since the 2003 survey and fear of a global recession emerged as the major threat to growth in PricewaterhouseCoopers 11th Annual Global CEO Survey.
