Australian Strategic Materials

Business

Bank of America Doubles Down on Auto Finance, Expands Digital and Branch Strategy Amid New Retirement Program Push

Bank of America extends its partnership with Volvo Car Financial Services through 2030, solidifying its position in automotive lending. Concurrently, the bank joins JPMorgan Chase in matching contributions to the new federal 'Trump Accounts' child savings program, while advancing a dual-track expansion in digital services and physical branches.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SkyWest Secures Long-Term Deals with Major Carriers, Anchoring E175 Fleet Expansion Through 2028

Regional airline SkyWest, Inc. has locked in multi-year contract extensions with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines for its Embraer E175 aircraft, providing a stable foundation for growth and improved financial visibility. The agreements solidify the company's fleet strategy and partnership with Embraer amid a competitive landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Carnival Stock Surges 9.3% on Record Earnings, Dividend Return, and NYSE Unification Plan

Carnival Corporation & plc sees its shares rally after posting a record $4.5 billion in operating income for fiscal 2025, reinstating a quarterly dividend, and announcing plans to consolidate its dual-listed structure into a single NYSE entity, signaling a renewed focus on shareholder returns and corporate simplicity.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa Doubles Down on Digital Frontiers: Stablecoin Settlements and Crypto Access Take Center Stage

Visa is aggressively expanding its footprint beyond traditional card payments, launching new initiatives in stablecoin settlements, renter-focused commerce, and streamlined crypto-to-fiat conversions. These partnerships aim to embed Visa's network into the burgeoning worlds of blockchain-based finance and essential housing expenditures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Amneal Pharmaceuticals: A Deep Value Play After Stellar Run?

Amneal Pharmaceuticals' shares have surged over 64% in the past year, prompting investors to question if the rally still has room to run. A closer look at valuation metrics suggests the generic drugmaker may still be trading at a significant discount to its intrinsic value.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Exodus: Major Miner Bit Digital Joins Industry Shift Away from Crypto Mining

In a significant industry pivot, Nasdaq-listed Bit Digital announces plans to completely exit Bitcoin mining, citing capital inefficiency and redirecting focus to Ethereum infrastructure and AI. This move follows a broader trend of crypto firms abandoning mining operations post-halving and amidst the AI boom.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

XRP Faces Critical February Test: Can ETF Inflows Offset Bearish Technicals?

As XRP enters a historically weak month, conflicting signals from whale accumulation, ETF flows, and exchange deposits set the stage for a volatile February 2026. Analysts pinpoint key levels that will determine the token's near-term trajectory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

FDA Greenlights Spectrum Dynamics' AI-Powered Imaging Platform, Boosting Nuclear Medicine Precision

The FDA clearance of Spectrum Dynamics' Veritas.AI platform marks a significant step forward for nuclear imaging, promising to cut scan times in half and enhance image clarity for critical applications like cancer theranostics.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Charter Defies Cord-Cutting Trend, Sparking Stock Surge with Unexpected Video Subscriber Growth

Charter Communications shares surged Friday after the cable giant reported a rare quarterly gain in pay-TV subscribers, a bright spot amid ongoing broadband pressures. The company's strategy of bundling streaming services appears to be resonating with customers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Hunt is Over: Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus Last Call Shutter Stores in Bankruptcy Liquidation

The thrill of the hunt for luxury bargains is fading for American shoppers as Saks Global closes dozens of off-price physical stores. Experts explain the deep-seated psychology behind bargain hunting and what the retail landscape loses with these closures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Berkeley Capital Sees Value in Morningstar Dip, Initiates $3.8 Million Position

Investment firm Berkeley Capital has established a new $3.8 million stake in financial data provider Morningstar, signaling a potential vote of confidence in the company amidst a significant share price decline and industry-wide AI uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

A Bittersweet Billion-Dollar Exit: Chamath Palihapitiya's Mixed Emotions After Nvidia's Groq Acquisition

Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya scored a monumental win with Nvidia's $20.6 billion purchase of AI chipmaker Groq, yet the investor reveals a profound sense of melancholy, highlighting the psychological complexities behind blockbuster deals.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Seacoast Banking Sees Strong Momentum After Villages Acquisition, Sets Ambitious 2026 Targets

Florida-based Seacoast Banking Corporation (SBCF) capped off 2025 with robust loan growth and margin expansion, fueled by its recent acquisition of Villages Bancorporation. Management outlined confident guidance for the coming year, forecasting significant earnings per share growth and improved returns.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Sanfilippo Navigates Price-Volume Squeeze, Delivers Strong Q2 Earnings on Cost Discipline

John B. Sanfilippo & Son posts record revenue and a 32% jump in EPS for fiscal Q2 2026, even as higher nut costs and shifting consumer habits pressure sales volumes. The snack nut processor eyes future growth through operational efficiency and new bar production capacity.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gentex Navigates Tariff Headwinds, Posts Strong Q4 on Vox Integration and Core Margin Expansion

Gentex Corporation delivered a mixed 2025, with Q4 results buoyed by its Vox acquisition and improved core profitability, while tariffs on China exports continued to pressure sales. The automotive tech supplier provided a roadmap focused on advanced mirrors, sensing, and new electrochromic applications like dimmable visors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Primis Financial Navigates 'Noisy' Quarter, Eyes 1% ROA Goal for 2026

Primis Financial (FRST) posted Q4 earnings of $29.5M, buoyed by a one-time gain. Management pegs core quarterly earnings near $8M, citing mortgage growth and deposit mix improvements as key drivers for its 2026 profitability target.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

USA Rare Earth Stock Rebounds on Analyst Confidence After Government Lifeline

Shares of USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ: USAR) recovered Wednesday following a sharp sell-off, buoyed by an analyst's upgraded price target and reinforced by a recent $3.5 billion capital infusion from public and private sources.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Colgate-Palmolive Navigates Volatile Consumer Landscape, Outlines Ambitious 2030 Growth Strategy

The consumer goods giant reports resilient Q4 2025 results, beating expectations despite market headwinds, and unveils a comprehensive new strategy focused on omnichannel demand, premiumization, and AI-driven efficiency to drive growth through 2030.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Chevron's Venezuela Gambit: A High-Stakes Bet on Policy Shifts and Heavy Crude

A U.S. license shift paves the way for Chevron to expand its unique position in Venezuela's oil sector, offering potential upside amid significant political and operational risks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

PulteGroup Sheds Manufacturing Arm to Sharpen Homebuilding Focus Amid Valuation Concerns

Homebuilding giant PulteGroup announces the sale of its off-site manufacturing division, pivoting to a partnership model to streamline operations and concentrate on its core business as it navigates a persistent valuation gap with peers.

Jan 30, 2026