Chicago Business

Business

Microsoft's AI Ambitions Fuel Record Cloud Revenue, But Heavy Spending Weighs on Shares

Microsoft posts record cloud and AI-driven revenue for Q2, fueled by new partnerships and its custom AI chip. However, a significant surge in capital expenditures for AI infrastructure and a slight deceleration in Azure growth triggered the stock's worst single-day drop since 2020, testing investor resolve on the long-term payoff.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Standex International Beats Q2 Estimates, Boosts Dividend Amid Stronger Growth Outlook

Standex International Corporation reported robust fiscal second-quarter results, with revenue climbing to $221.32 million and net income reaching $2.12 million. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 6.3% and issued an upbeat forecast for the third quarter, reinforcing confidence in its strategic shift toward high-value engineered products.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Blue Owl Capital Navigates Legal Storm: Liquidity Lawsuits Clash with Analyst Confidence

Blue Owl Capital faces a wave of securities class actions alleging disclosure failures around liquidity and redemptions, casting a shadow over its robust alternative asset management platform. As legal pressures mount, the market weighs solid analyst backing against growing governance concerns, setting the stage for a pivotal earnings report.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Thyssenkrupp Considers Strategic Stake Sale in Rothe Erde Amid Valuation Concerns

German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp is exploring the sale of a significant minority stake in its Rothe Erde bearings division, a move analysts say could signal a broader portfolio reshuffle and highlight persistent valuation gaps within the conglomerate.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Unity Integrates Coda for Direct Web Stores, Aiming to Reshape Developer Monetization

Unity Software's new in-app web store integration with Coda could empower developers to bypass traditional marketplace fees, potentially altering the company's revenue streams and addressing its persistent valuation gap amid volatile stock performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the FTSE Gloom: Three UK Penny Stocks Poised for Growth in 2026

Amidst broader market volatility, a closer look reveals compelling opportunities in the UK's penny stock arena. We analyze three companies—Accesso Technology, ActiveOps, and Zotefoams—that combine niche market strength with evolving financial narratives for the discerning investor.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Krones AG Shares Surge: Strong Financials Fuel Investor Confidence

Krones AG (ETR:KRN) has seen its stock price climb 11% in the past quarter. Analysis points to robust fundamentals, particularly a healthy Return on Equity (ROE) of 14%, as a key driver behind the market's bullish sentiment and the company's impressive earnings growth trajectory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa Posts Strong Q1 Results as Consumer Spending Holds Steady, Digital Services Fuel Growth

Visa's fiscal first-quarter earnings surpassed expectations, driven by robust cross-border transactions and a surge in high-margin digital services. The payments giant signals confidence in sustained consumer resilience despite some moderation in U.S. debit volumes.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

United Rentals Caps Record 2025, Eyes Another Year of Growth Fueled by Mega-Projects

United Rentals reported strong Q4 results, driven by data center and power sector demand, and issued 2026 guidance forecasting continued revenue growth. Management highlighted a robust project pipeline while navigating margin pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trane Technologies Caps Strong 2025 with Record Backlog, Bullish 2026 Outlook Despite Residential Headwinds

Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT) reported robust Q4 2025 results, driven by exceptional commercial HVAC demand and a record $7.8 billion backlog. While proactive inventory adjustments pressured residential margins, executives project 12-14% adjusted EPS growth for 2026, fueled by strategic acquisitions and sustained commercial strength.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Stryker Caps Strong 2025 with Record Robotics Growth, Eyes Further Expansion Amid Tariff Headwinds

The medical technology giant reported double-digit organic sales growth and robust profitability for 2025, driven by record installations of its Mako surgical robots. While projecting continued strength for 2026, management acknowledged incremental tariff pressures but expressed confidence in the company's ability to sustain margin expansion.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SL Green Executives Bullish on NYC Office Rebound, Detail $9.5B Capital Strategy

In its Q4 2025 earnings call, SL Green Realty projected strong fundamentals for Manhattan's office market, citing robust leasing and AI-driven demand. Management reiterated ambitious 2026 financing and asset sale targets while reporting quarterly results that beat expectations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Freedom Capital Trims Li Auto Target Amid Intensifying China EV Price War

Freedom Capital Markets has lowered its price target for Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) from $34 to $25, citing a mixed quarterly performance and a challenging outlook as China's electric vehicle sector grapples with a fierce price war and softening demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BofA Doubles Down on Hesai Group, Boosts Price Target on Lidar Leadership and Regulatory Tailwinds

Bank of America Securities has reaffirmed its Buy rating on Hesai Group (HSAI), raising its price target to $32, citing the lidar maker's technological milestones, strategic partnership with NVIDIA, and favorable regulatory developments for autonomous driving.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Atour Emerges as a Premium Contender in China's Hotel Wars, Says CLSA

Brokerage firm CLSA initiates coverage on Atour Lifestyle Holdings with an 'Outperform' rating and a $49 price target, highlighting its unique brand ecosystem and asset-light model as key differentiators in a competitive market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Macquarie Upgrades NIO to Outperform on Strong Q4 Sales, Battery Service Adoption

Investment bank Macquarie has raised its rating on NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) from Neutral to Outperform, citing better-than-expected fourth-quarter delivery figures and the growing success of its battery subscription model. The firm also increased its price target to $6.10.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Regulatory Headwinds Cloud Outlook for PDD Holdings Amid Broader China Internet Crackdown

While Morgan Stanley maintains an Overweight rating on PDD Holdings, the firm has removed the e-commerce giant from its Top Picks list, citing heightened regulatory scrutiny and a slower-than-expected consumer recovery in China.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Stifel Initiates Coverage on Sportradar with Buy Rating, Sees Opportunity in Sports Betting's 'Rational Duopoly'

Analysts at Stifel have initiated coverage on sports data giant Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD) with a Buy rating and a $28 price target, citing its dominant market position and favorable industry dynamics as online sports betting consolidates.

Jan 30, 2026

World

France Blocks Eutelsat's Ground Antenna Sale, Citing Strategic Sovereignty Concerns

The French government has intervened to stop satellite operator Eutelsat from selling its ground antenna assets, framing the move as a defense of European strategic autonomy against rivals like SpaceX's Starlink.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Retirement Tax Trap: How Frozen Allowances and Rising Pensions Are Forcing More Retirees into Self-Assessment

A growing number of pensioners are being drawn into the self-assessment tax system as frozen thresholds clash with rising state pension payments. This guide explains who needs to file, key deadlines, and strategies to protect your retirement income.

Jan 30, 2026