October 3, 2024

As the chilly season of ghouls, ghosts and gore begins, we’re reminded of one of the scariest scenarios plaguing credit managers; the curse of cash flow problems. Whether the issue is seasonal for you or only pops up every once in a while, cash flow issues can trouble even the most experienced credit professionals, regardless of whether it is your company or your customer experiencing the slowdown.

On Tuesday, about 45,000 port workers went on strike after their contract expired, following unsuccessful last-minute negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents port operators and container carriers. The daily economic cost could be anywhere from $540 million to upwards of $4 billion.

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that tore through the Southeast of the United States last week, has left more than 160 people dead and is estimated to cost the country as much as $34 billion, according to Moody’s Analytics.

NACM’s Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) fell 0.4 points to 53.1 in September, showing expansion but at a weakening pace. “Hopefully this is indicative of the soft landing the Fed has been aiming for,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE.