The Senate has approved a bipartisan bill to end the government shutdown, with several centrist Democrats joining Republicans to reach a deal. The agreement extends government funding through January, safeguards thousands of federal jobs, and promises a future vote on health care subsidies. The House is expected to vote on the measure Wednesday, following President Donald Trump's pledge of support.

US importers say refunding tariffs paid would be straightforward if the Supreme Court orders repayment, saying detailed customs paperwork tracks all tariffs paid. The Supreme Court has expressed skepticism about the legality of some of the Trump administration's tariffs, but raised concerns about the complexity of repayment. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says repayments could total as much as $1 trillion.

US consumer durables and personal goods inflation eased in October, with prices rising 0.22% compared to 0.48% in September, based on OpenBrand and PriceStats data. This marks the first slowdown in three months, as merchants appear to be limiting price increases amid consumer caution. While most categories saw a deceleration in price growth, communications devices remained an exception. The moderation comes as tariffs exert uneven influence on consumer prices, and official inflation data remains unavailable due to the prolonged federal shutdown.

Traditional performance metrics for procurement teams, such as cost savings based on last price paid, are proving inadequate in the face of rapidly changing tariffs and market volatility, writes Edmund Zagorin, the founder and chief strategy officer of Arkestro. New metrics, such as margin impact, more accurately reflect procurement's direct contribution to profitability, Zagorin notes, adding that by aligning targets and frameworks with these updated measures, organizations can better capture the strategic value of procurement and supply chain work in today's complex environment.

AI has the potential to transform responsible sourcing by monitoring suppliers, flagging risks, and evaluating compliance; however, human judgment remains essential for decision-making, writes Kevin Franklin, CEO of EIQ. As supply chains face disruptions, AI can process massive datasets and predict risks, but it cannot replace human expertise in assessing trustworthiness and managing relationships, Franklin notes. Companies should start with low-risk areas, run pilots alongside existing processes and support teams culturally to build confidence in AI.

AI and behavioral science are transforming B2B marketing by enabling personalized strategies that meet the expectations of modern buyers, writes Ricky Abbott of Transmission. Abbott notes that AI-powered tools can audit and optimize content, while behavioral science can identify biases that influence buyer decisions. He points to a study showing that campaigns using behavioral biases saw a 45% increase in effectiveness.

Company executives are showing unprecedented confidence in the economy this earnings season, with mentions of "economic slowdown" at their lowest since 2007, according to Bloomberg. This optimism persists despite trade tensions and high stock valuations, as companies have effectively mitigated the impact of tariffs. The S&P 500 is on track for significant earnings growth, driven by megacap and technology shares, particularly those related to AI.

Some large companies are falling subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax included in the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, even as they try to take advantage of the tax cuts passed this summer. For example, Meta Platforms reported a $15.9 billion one-time hit in the third quarter related to the interaction between the new law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

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