Benefit Payments

Business

Bread Financial Caps 2025 with Strong Growth, Eyes Further Diversification and Tech Investment

Bread Financial (NYSE: BFH) delivered robust fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, meeting expectations through strategic partner expansions, improved credit health, and strengthened capital positioning. Management outlines a 2026 roadmap focused on sustainable growth, deposit mix optimization, and leveraging AI across operations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Barrick Bets Big: Doubling Down on Gold, Copper, and Shareholder Returns Amid Price Surge

Barrick Gold Corporation is strategically ramping up gold production to capitalize on high prices while simultaneously expanding its copper portfolio as a long-term hedge. The mining giant is also channeling robust profits back to investors through enhanced dividends and buybacks, following a period of stellar stock performance.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From Hurricanes to Sentiment: Wintermute Predicts Crypto Prediction Markets Will Upend Insurance by 2026

A new report from crypto market maker Wintermute Ventures forecasts a seismic shift, arguing that blockchain-based prediction markets will begin displacing traditional insurance by making hyper-specific risks tradable. The firm outlines a future where decentralized infrastructure becomes the new clearing layer for a programmable global economy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Inflation Mismatch: Why Social Security's Annual Raise Falls Short for Millions of Seniors

While October's COLA announcement brings temporary relief, a growing body of evidence suggests the formula used to calculate Social Security adjustments fails to reflect the real-world expenses of retirees, creating a persistent and compounding budget gap.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fifth Third Wraps Up $10.9B Comerica Takeover in Record Time, Reshaping U.S. Banking Landscape

Fifth Third Bancorp has finalized its acquisition of Comerica in under four months, a swift consolidation that underscores a new era of accelerated bank mergers driven by regulatory shifts and the relentless pursuit of scale.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Craft Spirits Consolidation: Kentucky's Casey Jones Distillery Acquired by Multi-State Beverage Group B3

Amidst a turbulent period for craft distilling, the founders of Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, KY, have sold their bourbon and moonshine operation to Pennsylvania-based B3 Beverage Company, securing the legacy of a family-run business while joining a growing portfolio of craft breweries and distilleries.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Epstein Document Release Exposes Deep Ties to UK Royals and Political Elite

A new cache of Jeffrey Epstein's emails has implicated former Prince Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and senior Labour figure Peter Mandelson, revealing intimate correspondence, financial dealings, and raising fresh questions about influence and accountability at the highest levels of British society.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Manchester's Tree Accountancy Acquires Pomegranate Consulting UK Client Base in Strategic Expansion Move

Tree Accountancy strengthens its regional footprint by absorbing Pomegranate Consulting's UK portfolio and key staff, marking its second strategic acquisition in three years as it expands advisory services.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Devon and Coterra Forge $58 Billion Shale Giant in Major All-Stock Merger

Devon Energy and Coterra Energy have agreed to combine in a landmark all-stock deal, creating a premier large-cap operator in the prolific Delaware Basin with an enterprise value of approximately $58 billion.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Forrestania Resources Consolidates Control of High-Grade Mt Palmer Gold Project in Strategic $18m Deal

Forrestania Resources moves to 100% ownership of the historic Mt Palmer gold project in Western Australia through a share-based acquisition, aiming to fast-track development and feed its Lake Johnston processing facility.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

SoFi's Lending Engine: A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity Just Getting Started

SoFi Technologies' record loan originations in Q4 2026 are just the beginning. With a foothold in personal, student, and home loans, the fintech giant is poised to capture a massive share of multi-trillion-dollar markets, driven by refinancing demand and cross-selling to its growing member base.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Alibaba Bets Big on AI: A ¥30 Billion Push for Qwen and Homegrown Chips Aims to Redefine Its Future

Alibaba Group is making a massive, multi-billion yuan bet to integrate its Qwen AI assistant across its ecosystem and develop its own AI chips, signaling a strategic pivot to reduce foreign dependency and deepen user engagement amid intense competition.

Feb 2, 2026

From Coffee to Cookies: How New Tariffs Are Driving Up Prices on Imported Grocery Staples

Shoppers are bracing for another wave of price increases as new import taxes take effect, targeting a range of everyday items from spirits to seafood. Experts warn the hikes will squeeze household budgets and force tough choices at the supermarket.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cal-Maine Foods Weathers Price Normalization, Bets on Specialty Eggs with Strategic Acquisition

Stephens lowers price target on Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) citing near-term oversupply pressures, but the egg producer's long-term strategy remains focused on expanding its cage-free capacity through acquisition.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Freedom Capital Bullish on Mama's Creations, Sees National Growth and Innovation Driving Stock to $16

Freedom Capital initiates coverage on Mama's Creations (MAMA) with a Buy rating and a $16 price target, citing the company's expanding national footprint, product innovation, and strong recent earnings as key growth catalysts in the fresh meal sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

JPMorgan Boosts Celsius Target on PepsiCo Deal Momentum, Sees Alani Nu as Growth Engine

JPMorgan raises its price target for Celsius Holdings (CELH) to $77, citing upside potential from its deepening PepsiCo partnership and the expanding distribution of its Alani Nu brand ahead of Q4 earnings.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Bangladesh Court Convicts Exiled Former PM Hasina, British MP Niece in Land Grab Case

A Dhaka court sentences former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years and her niece, UK Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, to 4 years on corruption charges, amid a political crackdown ahead of February elections.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Repeat Offender in Arizona Border Shooting Incident Had History of Confrontations with Authorities

A suspected human smuggler with a prior conviction was shot by federal agents near the Arizona-Mexico border after allegedly firing at a CBP helicopter and agents during a foot pursuit, according to law enforcement officials.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Garrett Motion Gains Analyst Favor as Zero-Emission Tech Fuels Growth Outlook

Garrett Motion (GTX) is drawing strong buy ratings from analysts, with a median price target suggesting over 20% upside, driven by its strategic pivot to zero-emission vehicle technologies and resilient financial profile.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Mobileye Eyes 2026 as Pivotal Year Amid Analyst Backing and Strategic Shifts

Despite recent guidance revisions, Mobileye Global retains strong buy ratings from analysts who see significant upside potential, as the company positions 2026 for a strategic transition in the autonomous driving sector.

Feb 2, 2026