Even if the economy does an about-face and returns to health, don't expect profit growth anytime soon.

Dell appointed Brian T. Gladden senior vice president and CFO.

With consumers now cutting back on purchases, causing pain throughout the economy, corporate bankruptcies are on the rise. Companies need to use hedging tools now more than ever.

Treasurers and C-level executives have gone from greedy for yield to cautious about liquidity, and in the last six months have shifted their cash and short-term investments to bank deposits, money market mutual funds and treasury bills.