Fueled by a wave of blockbuster transactions and renewed executive optimism, the global mergers and acquisitions landscape is heating up for a robust 2026. Major consulting firms report a significant shift in sentiment, with U.S. CEOs leading the charge in pursuing strategic deals despite lingering market uncertainties.
As the ASX braces for a turbulent week amid rate hike fears, investors are scouring the market for resilient opportunities. We delve into three penny stocks—spanning energy, retail, and healthcare—that combine financial stability with distinct growth narratives for the discerning investor.
Thousands demonstrated in Milan against the planned deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for the 2026 Winter Games, citing human rights concerns and viewing their presence as a symbol of democratic erosion in the United States.
Following a bold earnings surprise, UPS is betting on a strategic pivot away from low-margin deliveries. While 2026 promises a challenging start, management forecasts a powerful second-half rebound fueled by cost cuts and a focus on healthcare and SMBs.
As a significant equity rotation takes hold in early 2026, shifting focus from growth to value, dividend-focused ETFs are emerging as key beneficiaries for investors seeking yield and stability.
Disney's iconic leader, who returned to steady the company in 2022, is reportedly preparing to exit the CEO role ahead of his contract's expiration, setting the stage for a high-stakes succession search.
As tech volatility reshuffles investor priorities in early 2026, a screen for strength and analyst conviction highlights three dividend payers—from lithium to offshore drilling—that are already setting the pace.
After two punishing years, GitLab's shares have been battered by fears over AI's impact on coding. But with a strategic pivot to an AI-powered development platform and a resilient business model, 2026 could be the year the company turns the narrative around.
Trane Technologies (TT) shares rallied after the climate solutions leader posted Q4 2025 results that topped estimates, buoyed by robust bookings and a record backlog. The company's confident guidance for 2026 has fueled investor optimism, though its premium valuation is drawing scrutiny.
Drivers across the Midwest are feeling the pinch as regional gasoline prices rose for a second consecutive week, with the current average now sitting 9 cents higher than last month. While still below the national average, the steady increase signals potential pressure on household budgets.
First Hawaiian Bank reported a solid fourth quarter, driven by net interest margin expansion and loan growth, while outlining a cautious 2026 outlook. Executives highlighted Hawaii's resilient economy and strong credit quality, alongside a new, flexible $250 million share buyback program.
First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) reported robust 2025 results, driven by resilient margins and core deposit growth, while detailing a contained credit issue in its commercial real estate portfolio and outlining double-digit growth targets for the coming year.
Citi analyst Geoff Meacham raised his price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) to $60, citing a more favorable setup for the sector. The move comes as the drugmaker also announces a partnership with Microsoft to leverage AI for earlier lung cancer detection.
A prominent crypto analyst warns that Bitcoin could retest a critical long-term support level near $57,000, signaling a deepening correction as the digital asset market stumbles into 2026.
Despite a 20% slide following its merger with Synovus, Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP) now trades at a valuation that may fully price in the risks. With significant cost and revenue synergies on the horizon, analysts see a clear path for earnings growth and a potential re-rating of the stock by 2026.
InterDigital (NASDAQ: IDCC) has laid out an ambitious financial roadmap for fiscal year 2026, forecasting revenues up to $775 million. The outlook is supported by a newly inked licensing agreement with LG Electronics and a key smartphone renewal, signaling strong momentum in its patent portfolio.
Analyses from multiple artificial intelligence models project divergent paths for Ethereum, Solana, and XRP by 2026, highlighting varying risk-reward profiles based on technological adoption, regulatory landscapes, and market structure.
Honeywell International posts a robust Q4 with record orders and backlog, while announcing an accelerated timeline to spin off its core Aerospace business as a standalone public company by late 2026, a move set to redefine its investment profile.
Sugar futures tumbled further this week, with New York prices hitting a 2.5-month low and London white sugar sinking to a five-year trough, as analysts warn of swelling global surpluses driven by record harvests in Brazil and India.
Standex International reports a robust start to fiscal 2026, with sales climbing 27.6% and a record order book prompting an upward revision of its annual revenue forecast. The company's strategic pivot towards grid modernization and data center markets, highlighted by the rebranded 'Standex Electronics Grid' unit, fuels confidence in exceeding long-term targets.
