Blake Cassels & Graydon

Business

Merck Bets on Precision Oncology with Strategic Eikon Investment and Guardant Health Alliance

Merck & Co. is laying the groundwork for its future in oncology beyond Keytruda, announcing a strategic investment in biotech Eikon Therapeutics and a major collaboration with diagnostic leader Guardant Health. The moves signal a targeted, partnership-driven strategy to bolster its pipeline and diagnostics capabilities in the competitive cancer therapy market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chicago's Metropolitan Capital Bank Collapses, Marking First U.S. Bank Failure of 2026

For the second consecutive year, a Chicago-based financial institution has become the nation's first bank to fail. Regulators shuttered Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust on Friday, citing unsafe practices and depleted capital. The FDIC swiftly arranged for Detroit's First Independence Bank to assume most deposits and assets, ensuring customer funds remain secure.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chicago's Metropolitan Capital Bank Fails, Marking Second Consecutive Year of Early U.S. Banking Collapse

For the second year running, a Chicago financial institution has become the nation's first bank failure. Regulators shuttered Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust on Friday, citing unsafe practices and depleted capital. The FDIC facilitated a swift takeover by Detroit's First Independence Bank, ensuring depositors are protected.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Frost Bank Parent Company Cullen/Frost Announces Board Refresh, Adding McCombs Heir and Former EY Partner

Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc., the parent of Texas-based Frost Bank, has elected Marsha M. Shields, leader of the Red McCombs family enterprises, and former Ernst & Young managing partner Jeff Rummel to its board, as longtime director Dr. Chris Avery prepares to retire.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Wall Street's 2026 Optimism Clashes with Historic Valuation Warnings

While analysts project another year of strong gains for the S&P 500, two key long-term valuation metrics are flashing red, reaching levels historically associated with major market downturns.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

GameStop Surges on CEO's $100 Billion Ambition, Fueling Speculation Over Major Acquisition

GameStop shares rallied over 6% after CEO Ryan Cohen outlined a bold vision to transform the struggling retailer into a consumer sector powerhouse through strategic M&A, leveraging its substantial cash reserves.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kratos Defense Stock Slump Continues: Valuation Concerns Eclipse Strong Drone Business

Despite its leadership in high-demand defense sectors like drones and hypersonics, Kratos Defense & Security's shares face sustained pressure as investors question its sky-high valuation and cash flow.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

DoorDash Stock: Wall Street's Bullish Bet Defies Market Underperformance

Despite lagging the S&P 500 over the past year, DoorDash retains overwhelming 'Strong Buy' ratings from analysts who see significant upside potential, even after a volatile post-earnings sell-off.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

CrowdStrike's Market Lag Belies Wall Street's Bullish Consensus

Despite underperforming the S&P 500 over the past year, cybersecurity leader CrowdStrike continues to command strong analyst support, with a 'Moderate Buy' consensus and significant projected upside.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kroger's Stock: Wall Street's Cautious Optimism Amid Market Underperformance

Despite trailing the S&P 500 and retail sector ETFs over the past year, Kroger retains a 'Moderate Buy' consensus from analysts, who see potential upside driven by product expansion and steady earnings—even as mixed quarterly results weigh on near-term sentiment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Frost Bank Charts Independent Course as Texas Banking Landscape Consolidates

Amid a flurry of bank mergers and acquisitions reshaping Texas, San Antonio-based Frost Bank is doubling down on its organic growth strategy. CEO Phil Green asserts the bank has "zero interest" in M&A, positioning itself to win customers dislocated by industry upheaval.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Buffett's 2016 Bets: A Decade Later, Apple Outshines Even Berkshire Hathaway

A retrospective analysis reveals the staggering returns from Warren Buffett's key 2016 investments, with a stake in Apple vastly outperforming his own conglomerate and the broader S&P 500 index over ten years.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts Maintain Cautious Optimism for Colgate-Palmolive Despite Market Underperformance

While Colgate-Palmolive's stock has trailed the S&P 500 over the past year, Wall Street analysts see a resilient business model and strong international presence supporting long-term growth, maintaining a 'Moderate Buy' consensus.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Goodyear Poised for Growth as Replacement Tire Market Gains Momentum

Analysts maintain a bullish outlook on Goodyear Tire & Rubber, citing strong potential in the replacement tire market and favorable inventory trends, with a median price target suggesting a 7% upside.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Goodyear Bets on Avon Revamp and Fights Tariffs in Bid to Shore Up Margins

Goodyear Tire & Rubber is overhauling its Avon Tyres brand and challenging U.S. tariffs in court, strategic moves analysts say are aimed at defending profitability amid cost pressures and competitive markets.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IBM Bolsters Enterprise AI Strategy with New Platform, Key Partnership, and PepsiCo CEO Joining Board

IBM intensifies its focus on the enterprise AI market with the launch of its governed deployment platform, a strategic collaboration with e& for regulated sectors, and the appointment of PepsiCo's Ramon Laguarta to its board of directors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From $2.9 Billion to $7,386: How Tesla's Cybertruck Stumble Evaporated a Korean Family's Fortune

A South Korean family's paper wealth soared past $800 million after their company, L&F Co., inked a landmark battery materials deal with Tesla. Less than two years later, a quiet regulatory filing slashed the contract's value by 99.9997%, a collapse tied directly to Tesla's production struggles with its Cybertruck and 4680 battery cells.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gallagher Posts Strong Q4 Earnings, but Truist Cuts Price Target Amid Sector Valuation Concerns

Insurance brokerage giant Arthur J. Gallagher reported robust fourth-quarter profit growth, driven by resilient demand. However, Truist Securities has lowered its price target on the stock, citing valuation pressures across the property & casualty brokerage sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Essar Commits $100 Million to Boost Gas Output from Key Indian CBM Field

Essar Oil and Gas Exploration & Production (EOGEPL) is injecting $100 million into its flagship Raniganj East CBM block in West Bengal, aiming to scale up domestic natural gas production and explore shale potential in a bid to reduce India's import reliance.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

UFC Inks Multi-Year Deal with Good Greek, Expanding Year-Round Sponsorship Footprint

TKO Group Holdings' UFC has secured a new, multi-year marketing partnership with Good Greek Moving & Storage. The agreement will feature brand integration across UFC Fight Nights, Dana White's Contender Series, and athlete ambassador campaigns, signaling a continued push to monetize its combat sports audience beyond traditional media rights.

Feb 2, 2026