California Economy

Business

Tesla Shifts Gears: Fremont Factory Retooled for Optimus Robots as $2 Billion Bet on xAI Fuels AI Ambitions

Tesla is pivoting its core strategy, phasing out legacy Model S and X production to mass-manufacture Optimus humanoid robots and deepening its commitment to artificial intelligence with a major investment in Elon Musk's xAI. This strategic realignment signals a future where the company's identity may evolve from electric vehicle pioneer to a broader AI and robotics powerhouse.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Meritage Homes Navigates 'Softer' Housing Market, Prioritizes Margins Over Volume

Meritage Homes concluded a challenging 2025, citing affordability pressures and waning buyer confidence. While maintaining a cautious stance on incentives, the homebuilder is expanding its community footprint and boosting shareholder returns, betting on long-term demographic demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

DigitalOcean Soars as 'Clawdbot' AI Assistant Drives Analyst Optimism and Price Target Hikes

Bank of America leads a wave of analyst upgrades for DigitalOcean, citing the viral success of its AI agent 'Clawdbot' and the company's strategic positioning in the burgeoning agentic AI market for developers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Archer Aviation Secures Key European Foothold with Serbia eVTOL Deal Ahead of Expo 2027

Archer Aviation has inked a strategic partnership with Serbia to supply its electric air taxis, positioning the company as the official urban air mobility partner for the 2027 Belgrade Expo. The agreement marks a significant expansion into Europe and includes options for fleet sales and local industrial collaboration.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

KKR's Stock Slump: A Buying Opportunity or a Valuation Trap?

KKR & Co.'s shares have retreated over 10% this year, prompting investors to question if the alternative asset manager's long-term growth story justifies its premium valuation. We analyze key metrics and expert narratives to gauge the stock's true appeal.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Southwest Airlines Soars to Four-Year High as Era of 'Open Seating' Comes to a Close

Shares of Southwest Airlines surged nearly 19% to a four-year peak after the carrier officially ended its decades-long open seating policy, a move analysts say could significantly boost future revenue.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dolby Labs Beats Expectations, Raises Outlook on Strong Deals and Key Partnerships

Dolby Laboratories (DLB) reported first-quarter results that exceeded analyst forecasts, prompting the company to raise its full-year guidance. The audio-visual technology leader cited earlier-than-anticipated deal closures, momentum in mobile and broadcast, and strategic wins with partners like Sony, TCL, and Peacock as key drivers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

First Internet Bancorp Posts Strong Q4 Revenue, Navigates Credit Headwinds with Optimistic 2026 Outlook

First Internet Bancorp (INBK) reported a robust 21% surge in quarterly revenue, successfully managing an uptick in criticized loans while laying the groundwork for growth in its fintech and SBA lending segments for the coming year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Five Point Holdings Posts Record Annual Profit, Bolsters Land Bank Through Strategic Moves

Defying a challenging real estate market, Five Point Holdings LLC (FPH) reported a record annual net income for 2025, driven by strategic land transactions and growth in its management business. The company also provided a bullish outlook for 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

HSBC Upgrades Grab to Buy, Sees Over 45% Upside as Southeast Asia's Super App Gains Traction

HSBC has upgraded Grab Holdings from Hold to Buy with a $6.20 price target, citing attractive valuation and intact growth drivers. The stock, already on some 'best buy' lists, has surged nearly 5% this week, with Wall Street analysts forecasting significant upside ahead of its Q4 earnings report.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Royal Caribbean Charts Course for Record Growth as Cruise Demand Hits New Highs

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

International Paper Unveils Major Split: To Form Two Regional Packaging Giants

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Tesla Retires Model S and X, Shifts Focus to Autonomous Future and Robotics

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Five Point Holdings Caps 'Record Year' Amid Housing Headwinds, Eyes Growth Through Land Banking and Entitlements

Despite a challenging housing market, Five Point Holdings (NYSE:FPH) reported record annual net income for 2025, driven by strategic land sales and the integration of its Hearthstone platform. The company navigated economic uncertainty with disciplined pricing and secured major entitlement approvals to fuel its long-term pipeline.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Equity Lifestyle Properties Posts Steady 2025 Growth, Eyes Continued Expansion in 2026 Amid RV Segment Volatility

Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) reported solid 2025 results with NOI and FFO growth, driven by its core manufactured housing communities. While forecasting further growth for 2026, management acknowledged ongoing fluctuations in its seasonal RV business and provided detailed guidance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Equities Defying Geopolitical Gloom

While regional tensions weigh on Gulf bourses, a closer look reveals resilient companies with strong fundamentals poised for growth. We analyze three under-the-radar stocks from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel that are navigating the volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Enova International Posts Strong 2025 Results Fueled by Lending Growth and Buybacks, But High Leverage Raises Questions

Enova International reports robust revenue and earnings growth for Q4 and full-year 2025, driven by expansion in its consumer and small business lending segments and a significant share repurchase program. While the financial technology lender's machine-learning underwriting and capital returns strategy have rewarded shareholders, analysts point to its elevated debt load and exposure to economic cycles as key areas for investor scrutiny.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bloom Energy Soars on Landmark $2.65 Billion AEP Deal, Fueling AI Data Center Power Thesis

Bloom Energy's stock surged after American Electric Power's subsidiary locked in a massive 20-year fuel cell agreement, a move analysts say validates the company's technology for critical infrastructure like AI data centers and signals a pivotal shift in its growth narrative.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Petronas Charts Ambitious Path: Doubling Down on Oil, Gas and Green Tech Through 2028

Malaysia's state energy giant Petronas unveils a sweeping three-year plan to sustain domestic oil and gas output, expand its global LNG footprint, and position itself as a regional leader in carbon capture, navigating the complex transition toward a lower-carbon future.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair, Setting Stage for Monetary Policy Shift

President Trump is expected to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair, a move that could signal a pivot toward aggressive rate cuts paired with a reduction of the central bank's balance sheet, reshaping the landscape for markets and cryptocurrencies.

Jan 30, 2026