Consumer Credit

The 2026 Sports Marketing Blitz: How Brands Are Gearing Up for a Historic Year of Global Events

With the FIFA World Cup in North America, the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and a packed calendar of major events, 2026 is poised to be a landmark year for sports. Brands and retailers are deploying sophisticated strategies that prioritize cultural marketing and community engagement over mere sales spikes, navigating a landscape where consumer loyalty is won through storytelling, not just sponsorship.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

U.S. Launches $12 Billion 'Project Vault' to Counter China's Rare Earth Dominance

The White House has confirmed the launch of a major strategic initiative to stockpile rare earth elements, aiming to reduce American dependence on China for the critical minerals used in defense tech and consumer electronics.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Curreen Capital's 'Ugly Duckling' Strategy Delivers 31% Gain, Eyes VF Corp Amid Apparel Giant's Slump

Investment firm Curreen Capital posted strong 2025 results, crediting its focus on undervalued 'ugly duckling' stocks. The fund's latest letter spotlights VF Corporation (VFC), the embattled owner of Vans and The North Face, as a potential turnaround play despite its shares falling over 20% in the past year.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Maesa's Ontu Launch Aims to Elevate Mass-Market Body Care to Facial-Grade Standards

Brand incubator Maesa is betting on the growing body care category with the launch of Ontu, a new line bringing high-performance, facial-inspired formulas to Target shelves at accessible price points, capitalizing on shifting consumer skincare rituals.

Feb 2, 2026

As AI Penetrates Patient Care, a Patchwork of State Rules Replaces Federal Guardrails

With pharmaceutical companies increasingly deploying AI in direct-to-consumer platforms, the regulatory landscape remains fragmented. In the absence of comprehensive federal action, states are stepping in with disparate laws to address privacy and safety concerns, creating a complex compliance challenge for the industry.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

BlackRock's Private Markets Ambition Faces Scrutiny Amid Valuation Concerns

As BlackRock expands access to private assets for wealthy clients through a new partnership, a significant markdown in one of its private credit portfolios and a new executive incentive plan are drawing investor attention to the risks and opacity inherent in the booming alternatives space.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Jelou Secures $10M to Bring AI-Powered Banking to WhatsApp in U.S. Expansion

Fintech startup Jelou has raised $10 million in Series A funding to scale its AI-driven conversational banking platform, Brain, from Latin America to the U.S., enabling payments, verification, and credit services directly within messaging apps.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Barrell Craft Spirits Sells Kentucky Facility as Whiskey Market Cools

Barrell Craft Spirits has sold a contract bottling plant in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, consolidating operations back to its Louisville site amid shifting consumer demand and a broader slowdown in the US whiskey category.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Latin America's Economic Crossroads: Navigating the Surge of Chinese Imports

As Chinese exports, from electric vehicles to e-commerce goods, reshape Latin American markets, governments and industries grapple with the dual pressures of affordable consumer goods and strained local manufacturing, forcing a delicate recalibration of trade policies and regional alliances.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Visa's 2026 Outlook: Steady Growth Amid Economic Headwinds, But Is It Time to Buy?

As the global payments giant prepares to report its fiscal year results, analysts forecast continued strong fundamentals for Visa. However, its recent underperformance against the broader market and a cautious consumer climate raise questions for investors seeking value.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AMD and GIGABYTE Forge Deeper Alliance, Bringing On-Device AI to Mainstream Gaming and Creator PCs

GIGABYTE is expanding its strategic partnership with AMD to launch a new generation of AI-enhanced gaming laptops, motherboards, and monitors. This collaboration integrates AMD's Ryzen AI and 3D V-Cache technologies directly into consumer hardware, aiming to deliver tangible benefits in gaming smoothness, system stability, and creative workflow acceleration.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tyson Foods Soars on Chicken Demand, Weathers Beef Market Turmoil

Tyson Foods Inc. surpassed quarterly profit expectations, driven by resilient consumer demand for chicken. This strength helped offset significant challenges in its beef division, where historic herd shortages and soaring costs have reshaped the meat industry's landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The High Cost of Low Scores: Homebuyers in These 5 States Face Steeper Mortgage Payments

A new analysis reveals a stark geographic divide in credit health, with residents in several Southern states facing higher long-term mortgage costs due to lower average credit scores, while Northern states benefit from more favorable rates.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

SoundHound AI Stock at Multi-Year Low: Is the Voice AI Pioneer Poised for a 2026 Breakout?

SoundHound AI's shares have retreated to their most affordable level in over a year, presenting a potential entry point for investors betting on the widespread adoption of its conversational AI. While revenue growth is robust, the path to profitability and consumer acceptance of AI agents remain critical hurdles.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kuwait Cracks Down on Food Delivery Giants, Imposes First GCC-Wide Fee Caps

Kuwait mandates sweeping regulations on food delivery platforms, capping commissions and banning exclusivity deals after uncovering anti-competitive practices that hurt restaurants and consumers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hims & Hers Health Stock Plunges 57%: Is the Telehealth Pioneer Now a Value Play?

Shares of the direct-to-consumer telehealth company Hims & Hers have been halved over the past six months, trading near $27. Investors are now weighing whether the steep sell-off presents a buying opportunity or signals deeper troubles ahead.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Buffett's Final Moves: A Pivot from Banks to Pizza Ahead of Berkshire CEO Transition

In the quarters leading to his retirement as CEO, Warren Buffett orchestrated a significant portfolio shift, slashing Berkshire's stake in Bank of America while steadily accumulating shares in Domino's Pizza, highlighting a strategic bet on consumer resilience and brand loyalty.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Enterprise Financial Beats Q4 Estimates on Margin Strength, Deposit Growth

Enterprise Financial Services Corp. (EFSC) reported fourth-quarter revenue that surpassed analyst forecasts, driven by net interest income expansion and robust deposit growth. The regional bank's results were bolstered by recent branch acquisitions and disciplined pricing, though investors are now watching how it navigates potential rate cuts and credit quality.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Constellation Brands Sees Short Sellers Retreat, But Skepticism Lingers Above Peers

Short interest in beverage giant Constellation Brands has declined, signaling a potential shift in trader sentiment. However, the level remains elevated compared to industry rivals, highlighting ongoing debate over the stock's valuation amid shifting consumer trends.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

O'Donnell Financial Bets $6.8 Million on AAA CLO ETF, Signaling Confidence in Income Strategy

A major stake increase by O'Donnell Financial in the iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) highlights institutional interest in high-grade, actively managed securitized credit as a source of yield in a complex rate environment.

Feb 2, 2026