Chicago News

Business

CN's Robinson Casts Doubt on UP-NS Merger Viability, Demands 'Significant' Concessions

Canadian National CEO Tracy Robinson has delivered a stark assessment of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, stating the railroads have "a long way to go" to satisfy regulatory concerns. In CN's earnings call, she criticized the application for failing to address competitive harms and warned of impacts on shippers, setting the stage for a contentious review process.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Hunt is Over: Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus Last Call Shutter Stores in Bankruptcy Liquidation

The thrill of the hunt for luxury bargains is fading for American shoppers as Saks Global closes dozens of off-price physical stores. Experts explain the deep-seated psychology behind bargain hunting and what the retail landscape loses with these closures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Maryland Sees Sharp Drop in Weekly Jobless Claims, Outpacing National Trend

New unemployment filings in Maryland fell significantly last week, offering a spot of positive news for the state's labor market as national claims also edged lower.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

TD Cowen Trims Price Target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Maintains Buy Rating Amid Shifting Investor Focus

Analyst Jason Seidl lowered CP's target to C$112 from C$116, citing reasonable valuation post-KCS merger but noting headwinds from negative estimate revisions and investor capital flowing toward U.S. rail M&A opportunities.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Schwab Consolidates Wealth and Banking Under Veteran Leader Neesha Hathi in Major Restructuring

Charles Schwab announces a strategic reorganization, merging its wealth advisory and banking divisions into a single unit led by long-time executive Neesha Hathi, alongside other key leadership changes.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to Succeed Powell, Signaling Major Shift for Central Bank

President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor and longtime critic of current policy, as the next Fed chair. The move, seen as an effort to align the central bank more closely with White House priorities, could redefine its historic independence and monetary policy direction.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CBO Report: Domestic Troop Deployments in 2025 Nearing $500 Million, With Ongoing Costs Looming

A new Congressional Budget Office analysis reveals the substantial financial burden of deploying National Guard and active-duty troops to several U.S. cities last year, with monthly costs for continued operations running into the tens of millions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Washington Scrambles to Avert Shutdown as Minneapolis Tensions Influence DHS Funding Fight

Lawmakers are negotiating a short-term deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, aiming to avoid a partial government shutdown this weekend. The talks occur against the backdrop of heightened political pressure following recent violence in Minneapolis and a shift in the administration's enforcement rhetoric.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Midwest Gas Prices Climb for Second Straight Week, Nearing $2.70 per Gallon

Drivers across the Midwest are feeling the pinch as average gasoline prices rose for a second consecutive week, with regional costs now sitting significantly below the national average.

Jan 30, 2026

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

Trump Poised to Name New Fed Chair on Friday, With Kevin Warsh Tipped as Front-Runner

President Donald Trump is set to announce his nominee for Federal Reserve Chair on Friday, with multiple reports indicating former Fed governor Kevin Warsh is the leading candidate to succeed Jerome Powell, a move already rippling through currency markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name Kevin Warsh as Next Federal Reserve Chair, Sources Say

President Trump is preparing to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank, according to people familiar with the discussions, a move that triggered immediate market reactions as investors assessed the potential policy shift.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Abivax's Lead Drug Shows Promise in Refractory Ulcerative Colitis, Fueling Investor Optimism

French biotech Abivax sees renewed investor interest following strong Phase 3 data for its oral therapy obefazimod in hard-to-treat ulcerative colitis, with analysts pointing to a clear path to regulatory approval and significant market potential.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Markets Breathe Sigh of Relief: Bitcoin Holds $78K as Asia-Pacific Stocks Rebound

Asian equities and Bitcoin stabilized Tuesday following a turbulent session, with investors digesting a rebound in US factory data and a calmer precious metals market. Regional indexes recovered, while crypto markets assessed the damage from recent liquidations.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Why L3Harris Technologies Is the Unseen Engine of Modern Defense

While flashy jets and missiles capture public attention, L3Harris Technologies operates in the critical, unseen layers of connectivity and electronic warfare. As global tensions and technological threats evolve, its role as a foundational enabler of next-generation defense systems is driving a compelling investment thesis centered on resilience and information dominance.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

RTX Positioned as Prime Beneficiary of Pentagon's 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Push

As the U.S. Department of Defense advances its layered 'Golden Dome' missile defense concept, aerospace and defense giant RTX Corporation emerges with a commanding portfolio of existing, scalable systems—from Patriot interceptors to advanced radars—positioning it for sustained growth amid heightened global security demands.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Gold Rebounds Sharply After Historic Plunge, Chinese Buyers Step In

Gold prices staged a significant recovery on Tuesday, regaining some ground after a historic two-day sell-off. The focus now shifts to Chinese retail investors, whose appetite for bargain-hunting ahead of the Lunar New Year could be pivotal for the market's near-term direction.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Singapore Airlines Charts Steady Course Amid Industry Headwinds, Focus on Capital Efficiency

Singapore Airlines (SGX:C6L) is demonstrating a disciplined approach to capital allocation, with a notable uptick in its return on capital employed (ROCE). While its current 6.3% return lags behind the broader airline industry average, the trend signals a potential turning point for the carrier as it seeks to solidify its post-pandemic recovery and build sustainable long-term value for shareholders.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Berkshire's New Chief Signals Strategic Shift with Potential Kraft Heinz Exit

Greg Abel's first major move as Berkshire Hathaway CEO involves reviewing a full exit from the Kraft Heinz stake, marking a potential departure from Warren Buffett's famed 'buy and hold' philosophy and testing investor confidence in the new leadership era.

Feb 3, 2026

US

Clintons Agree to Testify in Epstein Inquiry, Averting Contempt Vote After Tense Standoff

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to provide depositions to the House Oversight Committee, following the panel's move to hold them in criminal contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Feb 3, 2026