”Prosecutorial Bent Shows in SEC Accounting-Fraud Push, Ex-Official Says”

Mary Jo White, chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, speaks at The Economic Club of New York, in Manhattan, June 20, 2014

”The Securities and Exchange Commission’s push to step up policing of accounting fraud could have a lasting impact on the agency’s work, bringing more cases related to poor internal controls and more actions against individuals, a top former official said.

”5 questions about Foxconn-Sharp takeover deal”

”Taiwan’s Foxconn has delayed the signing of a takeover agreement with Japanese electronics giant Sharp, leaving the US$5.9 billion acquisition up in the air. Will there still be a deal? We ask analysts”. ”SINGAPORE: The biggest takeover by a foreign company in Japan’s technology sector is looking less certain, after Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group said […]

”Bank of England chief accuses G20 of failing to reform to boost growth”

”Mark Carney rejects idea that central bankers have ‘used all ammunition’ against downturn but says system remains strong”

Mark Carney, the head of the Bank of England
Mark Carney has ruled out following the trend of negative interest rates.

”Wage Talks Won’t Help Japan’s Abe”

”Shinzo Abe and Haruhiko Kuroda shouldn’t look to spring wage talks for much help in spurring inflation and economic growth in Japan.

If anything, the picture emerging from the negotiations between some of Japan’s biggest companies and their unions is one of stagnation and slim raises. And the talks, most of which conclude next month, are taking place as a strengthening yen risks pushing down the earnings growth — and stock prices — of Japanese exporters.

”The Shifting Sands of Board Dynamics”

Reflections & Ideas by Chris Clarke

”Greetings. As President & CEO of Boyden global executive search, I shall take a liberty and put forth some of my personal views and thoughts. These are personal opinions, based on my own knowledge, experience and recent research. They do not reflect those of our organization.

Like sand dunes in the desert, Boards of Directors are blown this way and that by winds of change. The bursting of the dot com bubble and the scandals of ENRON and others led to Sarbox and all its unintended consequences. Worst of all, despite the costs and restrictions imposed on corporations by the legislature, Sarbox did not prevent the problems raised by the recent financial crisis.