Nobody predicted the breadth and depth of the Great Recession of 2008 as it exceeded all other recessions dating back decades to the depression of the 1930s. The cyclical volatilities of our economy have produced downturns of varying degrees throughout history, but hopefully we learn lessons along the way to guide us during future challenging economic upheavals

In this article, we explore the unprecedented circumstances in which businesses typically reliant upon the highly predictive nature of forecasting models now find themselves, and the steps they must take to ensure short- and long-term success amidst the current crisis.

In a previous Hilco Valuation Services article from last July, we provided an early assessment of the implementation of the Section 232 tariffs on the steel and aluminum markets. In this follow-up piece, we further explore the market impact of that tariff action on the market to-date.

In this article, we examine the significant momentum occurring in non-brick and mortar retail, including growth in both the online Resale and Rental categories as well as the growing popularity of BOPIS offerings, and how these developments can best be monitored and understood by ABLs that are active in the Retail space.

The Trump administration tax policies enacted toward the end of 2017 first showed signs of a positive impact very early in 2018. Economic growth, which had been stagnant at about 2% since recovery from the “Great Recession,” began to increase and home building accelerated in the first half of 2018. This, along with certain supply issues that limited lumber production, markedly drove up lumber prices during the first six months of 2018.

Sitting in my office at Hilco Valuation Services on a brisk March day earlier this year, I put the phone down and headed into the hallway to share some surprising information with a colleague. That day alone, I had received three separate inquiries from around the U.S., all pertaining to potential valuation and liquidation engagements within the Motor Coach industry.

In this article, we take a look at the momentum underway to shift the global plastics sustainability paradigm and explore the potential impact of those efforts on both the planet and businesses along the plastics value chain.

In early March, as the threat to our domestic economy from COVID-19 was measured in terms of the potential impact on our supply chain, the mood in the automotive industry continued to be generally optimistic, and for good reason.

This article describes the current state of the U.S. coal industry, providing a data-driven analysis of what is often described in emotional and political terms. With natural gas providing a lower-cost alternative and proponents of the Green New Deal and other advocacy groups campaigning to reduce or eliminate coal from the nation’s energy sources, the industry is under pressure from both economic and political forces. The paragraphs below summarize the industry, its markets and perhaps its future.