China Consumer Market

Business

Piper Sandler Lifts Diamondback Energy Target to $218, Citing Permian Basin Strength Amid Volatile Oil Pricing

Analysts at Piper Sandler have increased their price target for Permian Basin-focused producer Diamondback Energy (FANG) to $218, maintaining an Overweight rating. The move comes as the firm anticipates solid Q4 results for gas-focused companies, while oil producers navigate a tougher pricing environment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Arctic Vision Bolsters Global Eye Care Ambitions with Strategic Acquisition of MDCO's Device Unit

Chinese biotech firm Arctic Vision moves to create an integrated ophthalmology powerhouse by acquiring MDCO Technology's device business, combining drug and device expertise to address unmet needs in eye care.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Brown & Brown Shares Face Headwinds as BMO Capital Trims Price Target Amid Mixed Q4 Signals

Insurance brokerage giant Brown & Brown sees a key price target cut to $81 following its fourth-quarter earnings, which revealed robust fee growth but concerns over slowing organic revenue expansion.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Morgan Stanley Boosts HF Sinclair Target to $61, Citing Refining Strength and Strategic Acquisition

Analyst Joe Laetsch raises HF Sinclair's price target, highlighting favorable crude differentials and a recent $38 million acquisition aimed at expanding its lubricants business, as the refiner lands on a list of top low-risk dividend stocks.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Seaport Research Trims Badger Meter Price Target Amid Slower Growth, Maintains Buy Rating

Seaport Research analyst Scott Graham lowered Badger Meter's price target to $220 from $255, citing a slower sales pace in early 2025. The firm maintains a Buy rating, anticipating a stronger second half. The water technology company recently reported record annual sales and profits.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gallagher Posts Strong Q4 Earnings, but Truist Cuts Price Target Amid Sector Valuation Concerns

Insurance brokerage giant Arthur J. Gallagher reported robust fourth-quarter profit growth, driven by resilient demand. However, Truist Securities has lowered its price target on the stock, citing valuation pressures across the property & casualty brokerage sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Prudential Financial Sees Price Target Lift Amid Japan Unit Scandal Fallout

TD Cowen raises Prudential Financial's price target to $113, maintaining a 'Hold' rating, as the insurer grapples with a misconduct scandal at its Japan life insurance unit affecting nearly 500 customers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Scotiabank Trims Comcast Price Target Amid Broadband Subscriber Losses, Intensifying Competition

Scotiabank has lowered its price target for Comcast (CMCSA), reflecting ongoing pressure in its core broadband business as the media giant reports higher-than-expected customer losses in Q4 and faces fierce competition from fiber and fixed-wireless rivals.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Defense Spending Nears $1 Trillion as AI Chip Integration Reshapes Military Tech

Rising global defense budgets are accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence in military systems, with companies racing to develop advanced sensing and threat-detection capabilities through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

Feb 2, 2026

World

A Nation Preparing for the Inevitable: Zimbabwe's Funeral Insurance Boom Overshadows Healthcare Crisis

In Zimbabwe, where formal employment is scarce and medical costs are prohibitive, a stark financial choice is being made: affordable funeral policies are vastly outpacing health insurance, reflecting a cultural prioritization of dignified burials over accessible healthcare.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nvidia's Landmark $100 Billion OpenAI Deal Hits Roadblocks Amid Strategic Rethink

A landmark investment proposal between AI titans Nvidia and OpenAI has stalled, with both companies reassessing terms amid internal concerns and a shifting competitive landscape, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

SM Energy and Civitas Seal $12.8 Billion Merger, Forging a U.S. Shale Powerhouse

The all-stock deal creates a top-tier independent producer focused on the Permian Basin, with Beth McDonald at the helm aiming to unlock significant synergies and shareholder returns.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney's Q1 Earnings: Theme Parks and Streaming Drive Revenue Growth, But Linear TV Weakness Weighs on Profits

The Walt Disney Company reported a 5% rise in fiscal first-quarter revenue to $26 billion, fueled by its theme parks and streaming services. However, operating profit fell 9% as challenges in its traditional TV business and rising costs offset gains.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Private Equity Firm Expands Sustainable Packaging Footprint with Acquisition of South Carolina's Paper Converters

Foundation Investment Partners, through its platform Sustainable Packaging, has acquired Paper Converters, a Walterboro-based manufacturer of spiral-wound paper tubes and boards, marking a strategic consolidation in the eco-friendly packaging sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Facing Rising Costs? Practical Strategies to Trim Your Monthly Expenses

With the cost of living significantly higher than just a few years ago, Channel 11's Susan Koeppen offers actionable tips to help households reduce recurring bills and ease financial pressure.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Global Public Sector Gets Its Own Climate Disclosure Rulebook

IPSASB unveils the world's first dedicated climate reporting standard for governments and public bodies, mandating disclosures from 2028 to illuminate financial risks and opportunities.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Brazilian Education Giant Afya Shows Strong Fundamentals, But Can It Deliver for Investors?

Afya Ltd., a leading medical education group in Brazil, is demonstrating robust financial health with a rising Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and significant capital expansion. While its stock has faced headwinds, the underlying operational metrics suggest a company efficiently reinvesting for growth, presenting a potential opportunity for value-focused investors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts See Hidden Value in CuriosityStream: Stock Could Be Undervalued by Over 20%

A new financial analysis suggests shares of the documentary-focused streaming service CuriosityStream may be trading significantly below their estimated intrinsic value, presenting a potential opportunity for investors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Oracle Bets Big on Cloud: Tech Giant Seeks $50 Billion to Fuel AI Infrastructure Race

Oracle announces plans to raise up to $50 billion in 2026 through debt and equity to massively expand its cloud data centers, aiming to meet surging demand from AI leaders like Nvidia, OpenAI, and xAI.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cynosure Lutronic's Mosaic 3D Laser Platform Clears Key EU Regulatory Hurdle, Paving Way for Broader Adoption

The European CE Mark under the stringent MDR has been granted for Cynosure Lutronic's innovative fractional resurfacing system, designed to improve safety and patient comfort through advanced cooling and precision technology.

Feb 2, 2026