Apple's Q1 earnings smashed expectations, fueled by surging iPhone sales and robust performance in China. While CEO Tim Cook's operational prowess is undeniable, the company's muted AI strategy and reliance on a Google partnership left investors wanting more.
Shares of Liberty Energy (LBRT) surged over 16% to an all-time peak as CEO Ron Gusek's aggressive growth roadmap, targeting a tripling of power demand, overshadowed a sharp decline in annual profits.
Buoyed by a banner 2025 and surging consumer appetite for ocean voyages, Royal Caribbean Group forecasts double-digit profit growth for 2026, signaling a full-throttle recovery for the cruise industry.
Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies capped off a record 2025 with surging orders and a strategic pivot, announcing plans to take its high-growth Missile Solutions unit public in 2026 while securing a novel $1 billion investment from the Department of War to accelerate production.
Lockheed Martin capped a year of robust sales growth with a historic $194 billion order backlog, driven by soaring demand for its advanced defense systems. The aerospace giant announced plans for a significant 'step function' increase in capital investment for 2026 to ramp up production of missiles and next-generation capabilities.
Southwest Airlines capped off 2025 with record revenue and improved operations, positioning the carrier for what executives project will be a dramatic earnings acceleration next year, driven by new initiatives like assigned seating and a refined loyalty program.
Mastercard reported robust Q4 and full-year 2025 results, driven by double-digit revenue growth and surging value-added services. Executives expressed confidence for 2026, highlighting strategic wins, investments in digital assets like stablecoins, and a focus on 'agentic commerce,' even as they plan a restructuring affecting 4% of staff.
In a strategic overhaul, International Paper announced plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies focused on North America and EMEA markets, marking the next phase of its multi-year transformation.
Despite a challenging year marked by oil price volatility and softer demand for completion services, Liberty Energy (LBRT) closed 2025 with a resilient Q4 performance. The company is aggressively scaling its distributed power solutions business, targeting 3 GW of projects by 2029, even as it manages pricing pressures in its core fracking operations.
Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX) reported record annual earnings for 2025, fueled by robust free cash flow and strategic capital returns. While Q4 faced seasonal pressures, management highlighted a late-quarter rebound in inland marine and surging demand in power generation, setting the stage for what they project as a year of steady financial performance in 2026.
Lazard Ltd. reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, driven by record financial advisory fees and a rebound in assets under management. Executives framed the performance as validation of the firm's long-term 'Lazard 2030' strategy, highlighting talent investments and a robust pipeline for future growth.
Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) soared over 10% Thursday, buoyed by robust industry-wide demand and positive spillover from a rival's record earnings, signaling a potential turnaround for the cruise sector.
Bitcoin plunged to a nine-month low as a confluence of political uncertainty and geopolitical tensions sparked a broad market sell-off, forcing over $1.6 billion in leveraged positions to close.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the end of production for the flagship Model S and Model X during the Q4 earnings call, marking a pivotal shift towards autonomous vehicle fleets and humanoid robot manufacturing.
South Korean regulators are forming a task force to propose stricter anti-money laundering rules for cryptocurrency transactions by 2026, potentially removing minimum thresholds for identity disclosure to mirror traditional finance oversight.
Blackstone Inc. is weighing a sale of Interplex's information and communications technology business, with early-stage talks suggesting a valuation exceeding $1 billion, sources familiar with the matter said.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGM) surged nearly 10% to a two-year peak after reporting a profitable third quarter and raising its sales forecast, fueled by robust demand in automotive and industrial sectors.
Carnival Corporation & PLC saw its stock price climb sharply Thursday, buoyed by robust earnings from rival Royal Caribbean and the company's own announcement of a planned corporate unification and dividend payment.
Tesla shares face pressure following mixed quarterly results, as surging software subscriptions and ambitious Robotaxi plans clash with declining automotive revenue and soaring capital expenditures.
As regional tensions weigh on major Gulf indices, a closer look reveals resilient investment opportunities among smaller, financially sound companies. From energy giants to niche manufacturers, these picks highlight value where many fear to tread.
