NEFCO has announced the acquisition of Big D Tool Center, a Dallas-based construction supply company, marking its first acquisition of 2025. The deal expands NEFCO's presence to five locations in Texas and underscores the company's commitment to expanding its national footprint and serving a broader contractor base.

US consumer sentiment remained largely unchanged in October, with the University of Michigan index reading 55, nearly identical to September's 55.1. Despite the government shutdown, there was little immediate impact on how Americans viewed the economy. Overall, consumers continued to express caution, especially regarding employment, their future personal finances and unfavorable buying conditions.

The highest US tariffs in nearly 100 years are significantly altering trade flows, leading countries and businesses to seek alternatives to the US market. Countries are redrawing trade routes and forming new alliances, such as Canada increasing car imports from Mexico and China sourcing soybeans from South America. US trade barriers are also causing some companies to stop importing goods into the US due to rising costs, prompting them to look for overseas customers instead.

US importers are facing significant supply chain challenges as new tariffs on Chinese-made machinery and port fees take effect. The US Trade Representative has imposed tariffs as high as 270% on equipment such as cranes and terminal tractors, prompting concerns from the American Association of Port Authorities about financing modern equipment. The International Chamber of Shipping warns that the tariffs could harm US export competitiveness.

Dun & Bradstreet's latest global survey reveals a downturn in business optimism heading into Q4 2025, with all tracked indices showing decreased confidence. Companies are responding by shifting focus to domestic markets, enhancing operational flexibility, and reducing exposure to unstable international supply routes. The report emphasizes recalibrating growth with cross-border diversification and vigilance in mapping business exposure to macroeconomic trends.

AI search and social media influencers are becoming the most influential sources for B2B buyers, according to Forrester. Nearly all buyers use AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude throughout the purchasing process, while influencers provide critical validation. This shift requires marketers to optimize content for AI search and maintain strong content hygiene, Forrester advises.

The most effective managers excel at identifying employees' strengths and placing them in roles where they can thrive, according to research by Research by Virginia Minni, an economics professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Minni analyzed data from a multinational company over 10 years, finding that employees under top managers are 40% more likely to make lateral moves that boost productivity.

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