Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns in a confidential letter that the United Nations faces a severe cash crunch, driven by unpaid dues and restrictive budget rules, threatening its operational viability by mid-year.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was released from a São Paulo hospital Friday following a planned cataract procedure on his left eye, with his office confirming a swift return to official duties next week.
With the specter of U.S. military action looming, Iran is engaging in a frantic diplomatic push with regional powers like Turkey, while global capitals scramble to prevent a full-scale war. Despite the outreach, analysts warn the window for de-escalation is narrowing.
The Kremlin confirmed Friday that President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a week-long pause in strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, a move initiated by a personal request from U.S. President Donald Trump. The temporary ceasefire, set to expire Sunday, comes amid a brutal cold snap and ahead of a new round of negotiations.
As equity markets show signs of fatigue after a prolonged bull run, defensive sectors like utilities are gaining attention. The Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU), with its low cost and stable dividend yield, presents a compelling option for investors seeking to buffer their portfolios against potential volatility.
Goldman Sachs raises its price target for Zeta Global (ZETA), citing strategic positioning ahead of an expected surge in software sector mergers and acquisitions driven by valuation gaps and synergy potential.
Rosenblatt Securities initiates coverage on Credo Technology with a Neutral rating and a $170 price target, highlighting its strong position in high-speed connectivity for AI infrastructure while flagging competitive pressures. The note follows a more bullish target hike from Barclays earlier in the month.
Erasca Inc. (ERAS) sees its price target raised from $5 to $12 by Guggenheim, following promising clinical data for its lead oncology candidates and updated financial models. The move comes amid a series of positive analyst revisions for the clinical-stage biopharma firm.
B.Riley initiates coverage on BrightSpire Capital (BRSP) with a Buy rating, highlighting its robust cash position and improved credit quality as key drivers for future loan originations, while its stock trades at a discount to book value.
ARMOUR Residential REIT (ARR) received a bullish upgrade from Jones Trading, which moved the stock to Buy with a $20.50 target, citing a discounted valuation and expected book value growth compared to agency mortgage REIT rivals.
Analysts at BTIG have upgraded mortgage REIT Annaly Capital Management (NLY) from 'Neutral' to 'Buy', with a $25 price target, arguing the stock is positioned to benefit from dividend stability and potential spread movements in a turbulent interest rate landscape.
Analyst firm Piper Sandler reiterates its Overweight rating on AGNC Investment Corp., highlighting a favorable shift in agency mortgage-backed securities spreads that could bolster the REIT's book value.
UBS initiates coverage on Rithm Capital with a Buy rating and a $16 price target, highlighting the REIT's aggressive acquisition strategy—including the purchases of Paramount Group and Crestline—as a key driver for expanding its asset management footprint and unlocking shareholder value.
Innodata Inc. (NASDAQ: INOD), a data engineering and AI services firm, has been awarded a place on a critical U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract vehicle, positioning it for future task orders in defense technology development and fueling analyst optimism for its 2026 growth trajectory.
LifeSci Capital reaffirms its Buy rating on Olema Pharmaceuticals (OLMA) and raises its price target to $45, following bullish analyst sentiment on the company's lead drug candidate, Palazestrant, for ER+/HER2- breast cancer.
Immunocore Holdings (NASDAQ: IMCR) has drawn renewed bullish sentiment from analysts at H.C. Wainwright and UBS, who highlight the stock's potential as key Phase 3 trial data for its cancer immunotherapies approaches later this decade.
Iran's foreign minister stated readiness for 'fair' negotiations with Washington but firmly ruled out discussing its defense capabilities, as regional powers intensify diplomacy to avert a military confrontation.
Truist Securities has slightly lowered its price target on Tesla shares to $438, citing the significant capital expenditure required for the automaker's aggressive shift towards AI and robotics, despite a solid Q4 performance.
Investment firm TD Cowen has increased its price target on Tesla (TSLA) to $519, maintaining a Buy rating. The adjustment follows a fourth-quarter performance marked by strong margins and progress on autonomous driving projects, though tempered by higher capital expenditure forecasts and vague timelines for full self-driving technology.
Truist Securities has lowered its price target on Landstar System (LSTR) from $150 to $145, maintaining a Hold rating following the logistics provider's fourth-quarter earnings miss. Analysts cite one-time insurance costs as a drag, while noting core fundamentals have yet to show a decisive turnaround.
