Building Products

Business

CN Rail Posts Strong Q4 Gains but Warns of Flat Freight Volumes Ahead Amid Trade Uncertainty

Canadian National Railway reported improved revenue and operating income for the fourth quarter of 2025, citing productivity gains and recovery from prior-year port disruptions. However, the company issued a cautious outlook for 2026, forecasting 'flattish' freight volumes as U.S.-Canada trade tensions and a major regulatory review loom.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Electricity Bills Set to Keep Climbing Through 2026, Experts Warn Relief Is Not on the Horizon

With rising demand, grid investments, and volatile fuel costs, electricity prices are outpacing wage growth, squeezing not just low-income but now middle-class households. Policy interventions face long lead times, leaving little hope for near-term bill relief.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Lebanon, Syria Strike Prisoner Transfer Deal in Bid to Mend Fractured Ties

In a significant diplomatic move, Lebanon's Cabinet has approved an agreement to repatriate hundreds of Syrian prisoners, addressing a major point of contention as the two nations navigate a new political reality following the 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Popular (BPOP) Stock in Focus: Strong Earnings and Capital Returns Fuel Valuation Debate

Popular, Inc. (BPOP) shares have rallied following robust 2025 results, driven by higher net interest income, EPS growth, and aggressive shareholder returns via dividends and buybacks. With the stock up nearly 20% in 90 days, investors are weighing whether its current valuation still offers an entry point.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Verizon's Fiber Push and Subscriber Surge Fuel Turnaround Optimism

Verizon Communications posts its strongest customer gains since 2019, bolstered by a key fiber acquisition and a renewed strategic focus under CEO Hans Vestberg, signaling a potential inflection point for the telecom giant.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Meta's Smart Glasses Ambitions Face Legal Hurdle as Solos Files Patent Infringement Suit

A patent lawsuit filed by Solos Technology against Meta Platforms, Oakley, and EssilorLuxottica targets core smart glasses technology, posing significant risks to Meta's wearables strategy and valuation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Twilio's Stock Slump: A Buying Opportunity or a Sign of Deeper Trouble?

Twilio shares have faced significant pressure, dropping over 14% in the past month. As the cloud communications leader grapples with investor skepticism, analysts are divided on whether the sell-off presents a value entry point or reflects justified concerns about competition and margins.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Chili's Bets on 'Extreme Ownership' to Fuel Growth, Considers GM Equity Model

Following a period of strong sales growth, Chili's Grill & Bar is laying the groundwork to potentially grant its general managers a greater ownership stake, a move inspired by industry leaders like Texas Roadhouse and Raising Cane's.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Venezuela's Oil Promise: U.S. Giants Urge Caution Amid Political Shifts

ExxonMobil and Chevron signal that significant investment in Venezuela's vast oil reserves hinges on clearer legal and fiscal stability, despite recent political changes and White House pressure.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Iconic Farmers' Almanac Finds New Life: Digital Publisher Rescues 206-Year-Old Publication from Closure

The historic Farmers' Almanac, famed for its secret weather formula, has been acquired by digital media company Unofficial Networks. The move saves the publication from shuttering, relocates its operations from Maine to New York, and promises a digital-first revival alongside a planned return to print.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Crystal International Unveils Smart Logistics Hub in China, Boosting Automation and Sustainability

The global apparel manufacturer is launching a state-of-the-art logistics center in China, featuring a fully automated closed-loop material flow system. The facility aims to slash fabric transfer times by up to 75%, optimize inventory, and advance the company's 2030 sustainability goals through solar power and waste-reduction technologies.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

American Express Shares Dip After Q4 Earnings Narrowly Miss Estimates; Long-Term Outlook Remains Bullish

American Express reported fourth-quarter earnings that slightly trailed analyst forecasts, prompting a share price decline. Despite the near-term miss, the company issued strong forward guidance for 2026 and announced a significant dividend hike, underscoring confidence in its long-term growth trajectory driven by card member spending and fee growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Copper's Record Rally Stalls: Analysts Warn of Impending Correction Amid Speculative Frenzy

After soaring to unprecedented highs, copper prices have begun to retreat. Goldman Sachs forecasts a more significant market adjustment by mid-2026, driven by potential U.S. tariff policies and a disconnect from fundamental demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Forget Your Retirement Age: The One Number That Actually Determines When You Can Stop Working

Financial planners are urging a shift in mindset: the date on your retirement party invitation matters less than the balance in your investment portfolio. We break down the calculations that show whether you're truly ready to leave the workforce.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

HSBC Upgrades New Oriental to 'Buy' After Strong Quarterly Performance, Citing Resilient Growth Strategy

HSBC has raised its rating on New Oriental Education & Technology Group (NYSE: EDU) from 'Hold' to 'Buy', following the company's better-than-expected Q2 FY2026 results. The upgrade highlights a robust recovery in core businesses and strategic expansion into new educational initiatives.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

High-Stakes Housing: A Doctor and Lawyer Clash Over a $1.8 Million 'Forever Home'

A couple earning $380,000 annually faces a classic high-cost dilemma: Should they stretch for a $1.8 million dream home now or wait? With a hefty down payment saved but significant student debt, their debate highlights the tension between future earnings potential and present financial anxiety in today's premium housing markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

ExxonMobil Launches Major Louisiana Carbon Capture Project, Bolstering CCS Ambitions

ExxonMobil has begun commercial operations of a significant carbon capture and storage venture with CF Industries in Louisiana, marking a key step in its strategy to become a leading player in the emerging CCS network along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Regeneron Aims to Redefine Obesity Treatment with Dual-Action Drug Targeting Weight and Cholesterol

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is positioning its experimental obesity drug, olatorepatide, as a potential game-changer by combining significant weight loss with a dramatic reduction in 'bad' cholesterol. The company believes this dual benefit could carve out a unique niche in the competitive $150 billion market, currently led by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Franklin Templeton Posts Record Inflows, Touts AI and Blockchain as Key Growth Drivers

Franklin Templeton reported robust first-quarter results, with record long-term inflows of $118.6 billion, driven by strong demand across public and private markets. CEO Jenny Johnson highlighted the firm's strategic positioning in AI, blockchain tokenization, and integrated portfolio solutions as investors seek resilience amid ongoing market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AT&T Doubles Down on Bundling as Customer Defections Mount in Competitive Telecom Market

Facing rising postpaid churn and prepaid losses, AT&T is aggressively pushing bundled phone and internet packages as its core retention strategy, betting that convergence can stem the tide of subscribers fleeing to rivals and cable companies.

Jan 30, 2026