AI

Business

Merck's Strategic Pivot: Heavy Investment in Acquisitions to Shape Post-Keytruda Era, Tempering Near-Term Earnings Outlook

Merck & Co. reported solid fourth-quarter revenue growth driven by its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda, but the pharmaceutical giant forecasts a slowdown in earnings growth as it absorbs billions in costs from recent acquisitions aimed at diversifying its pipeline ahead of Keytruda's patent expiration.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Binance Bolsters Wallet Security Amid Surging Web3 Scams, Launches Proactive 'Security Center'

As phishing attacks hit record highs, Binance Wallet unveils a new Security Center feature designed to preempt common user errors and malicious approvals, aiming to bridge the critical gap between self-custody freedom and safety for its growing user base.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

UAE Royal Family Acquires 49% Stake in Trump-Linked Crypto Venture in $500 Million Deal

Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan has secured a major stake in World Liberty Financial (WLFI) through a $500 million investment, finalized days before President Trump's second inauguration, raising questions about the intersection of foreign investment, political timing, and family business interests.

Feb 3, 2026

US

Political Veteran Carville Taps Illinois Governor Pritzker as 2028 Democratic Front-Runner

In a candid television appearance, legendary Democratic strategist James Carville dismissed several high-profile names before identifying Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker as a potential powerhouse for the party's 2028 presidential nomination, citing his fundraising prowess and an unconventional appeal to key voter blocs.

Feb 3, 2026

US

Prosecutor's Family Link to Kirk Murder Scene Sparks High-Stakes Court Clash in Utah

A Utah court weighs whether a prosecutor's office should be disqualified from a high-profile murder case after it was revealed a deputy prosecutor's adult child witnessed the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The defense argues the connection creates an untenable conflict, a move experts say could influence whether the death penalty remains on the table.

Feb 3, 2026

US

Service Denied: ICE Agents Turned Away at Businesses Spark Legal and Ethical Firestorm

A growing number of incidents where hotels and gas stations refuse service to federal immigration officers has ignited a fierce national debate, pitting private business rights against accusations of discrimination and raising complex legal questions.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

CVS Health Navigates Policy Headwinds: Analysts Adjust Targets Amid Medicare Rate Proposal, Dividend Holds Steady

CVS Health faces a revised outlook from analysts following a key Medicare payment proposal, yet maintains its dividend payout as the healthcare giant balances regulatory challenges with its diversified business model.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Plumas Bancorp Boosts Quarterly Dividend to $0.33, Signaling Confidence Amid Growth Phase

Plumas Bancorp announces a dividend increase to $0.33 per share, extending its nine-year payout history. While the yield remains modest, strong earnings coverage and robust EPS growth forecasts paint a picture of sustainable shareholder returns, even as the bank navigates share dilution concerns.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Cognizant Stages a Comeback, Emerging as a Bright Spot in Pzena's Value Portfolio

Amid a market dominated by AI hype and mega-cap stocks, value-focused investor Pzena highlights Cognizant Technology Solutions as a key performer, signaling a potential turnaround for the IT services giant.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Lords Group Trading Faces Capital Allocation Headwinds as ROCE Slumps

The building materials distributor sees its return on capital employed fall to 2.3%, significantly trailing the industry average, raising questions about its reinvestment strategy and growth trajectory.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

PayPal Shares Tumble After Q4 Revenue Miss, Growth Concerns Mount

PayPal Holdings Inc. reported fourth-quarter revenue that fell short of Wall Street expectations, sending its stock plunging nearly 15% and raising questions about the digital payments pioneer's growth trajectory in a competitive market.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Auto Parts Giant's Collapse: Texas Plants Shuttered, Over 100 Jobs Lost Amid Fraud Scandal

First Brands Group, parent of Cardone Industries, closes facilities in Harlingen and Arlington as bankruptcy and federal fraud charges against former executives unravel the company, leaving Texas workers out of work.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Healthpeak Properties: Wall Street's Price Targets Signal Cautious Optimism Amid Strategic Shift

Despite underperforming the market over the past year, analysts maintain a 'Moderate Buy' stance on Healthpeak Properties, with price targets suggesting significant upside as the healthcare REIT executes its portfolio transformation and plans a senior housing spin-off.

Feb 3, 2026

World

U.S. Slaps Higher Tariffs on South Korea Amid Escalating Dispute Over Tech Giant Coupang

The Trump administration raises tariffs on South Korean goods to 25%, citing Seoul's 'disproportionate' regulatory campaign against U.S. e-commerce leader Coupang. The move threatens to strain a key Asian alliance built on decades of security and economic cooperation.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

India's Supreme Court Warns WhatsApp: 'Privacy Is Not a Game' as Data-Sharing Practices Face Scrutiny

India's Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to Meta's WhatsApp, questioning its data monetization and user consent model in a market where the app holds a dominant position. The court has temporarily barred data sharing pending a detailed examination.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Canadian Small-Caps Poised for Growth in a Strengthening Market

As the TSX rides a wave of robust Q4 earnings, savvy investors are looking past the blue chips. We delve into three lesser-known Canadian companies—spanning energy, aerospace, and energy services—that combine solid fundamentals with strategic moves to capitalize on current economic tailwinds.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

BellRing Brands Beats Q4 Estimates, but Volume Growth Stalls

BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR) reported fourth-quarter revenue that surpassed analyst expectations, though sales remained flat year-over-year. The company's full-year outlook and adjusted earnings also topped consensus forecasts, painting a picture of resilient performance amid a challenging market for consumer staples.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

SoFi CEO Anthony Noto on M&A Strategy: 'The Bar is Really High' for Acquisitions

Despite a recent $1.5 billion capital raise sparking acquisition speculation, SoFi's leadership indicates a disciplined approach to deals, prioritizing organic growth and strategic product expansion over costly buyouts.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Jim Cramer Defends Amazon's Core Strength Amid Market Noise

CNBC's Jim Cramer pushes back against recent skepticism surrounding Amazon, arguing the market is overlooking the tech giant's fundamental resilience and diversified growth engines.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Evolent Health's Turnaround Story: Can Surging Capital Efficiency Fuel a Stock Rebound?

After years of losses, Evolent Health has broken into profitability with a rising capital base. While its Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) remains low, the accelerating trend suggests a potential inflection point for the healthcare services firm.

Feb 3, 2026