Corporate Lending

Business

Franklin Templeton Posts Record Inflows, Touts AI and Blockchain as Key Growth Drivers

Franklin Templeton reported robust first-quarter results, with record long-term inflows of $118.6 billion, driven by strong demand across public and private markets. CEO Jenny Johnson highlighted the firm's strategic positioning in AI, blockchain tokenization, and integrated portfolio solutions as investors seek resilience amid ongoing market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Covenant Logistics Eyes 2026 Turnaround, Citing Early Rate Gains and Strategic Fleet Reshaping

Despite posting a Q4 net loss, Covenant Logistics signals a shift in market dynamics, with executives pointing to rising spot rates, secured contract increases, and a disciplined fleet strategy as precursors to a stronger performance by late 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Insider Confidence: High-Ownership Growth Stocks to Watch as Markets Navigate Uncertainty

Amid a cautiously optimistic market backdrop, companies where executives hold significant stakes are drawing investor attention. We examine three such firms where insider buying and strategic moves signal confidence in long-term growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Meta's Strategic Pivot: Scaling Back Metaverse Ambitions to Fuel AI and AR

Meta Platforms announces a 10% workforce reduction in its Reality Labs division, signaling a strategic shift away from its massive metaverse investments toward artificial intelligence and augmented reality, raising questions about the company's future profitability and stock performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Exodus: Major Miner Bit Digital Joins Industry Shift Away from Crypto Mining

In a significant industry pivot, Nasdaq-listed Bit Digital announces plans to completely exit Bitcoin mining, citing capital inefficiency and redirecting focus to Ethereum infrastructure and AI. This move follows a broader trend of crypto firms abandoning mining operations post-halving and amidst the AI boom.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Tesla's Driverless Taxis Hit Austin Streets as Berkshire's New CEO Charts a Course and Markets Eye 24/7 Trading

A pivotal week in business saw Tesla's long-awaited robotaxis begin operations without safety drivers, signaling a new phase in autonomous mobility. Meanwhile, Greg Abel's early moves at Berkshire Hathaway hint at a potential strategic shift, and a push for tokenized, round-the-clock stock trading raises questions about the future of finance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Scout Motors' South Carolina EV Plant Hits $150M Overrun, Taxpayers Asked to Cover Costs

Three years after securing $1.3 billion in state incentives, Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors' planned electric vehicle factory faces mounting public costs amid wetland mitigation and inflation, raising questions about risk allocation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

FDA Greenlights Spectrum Dynamics' AI-Powered Imaging Platform, Boosting Nuclear Medicine Precision

The FDA clearance of Spectrum Dynamics' Veritas.AI platform marks a significant step forward for nuclear imaging, promising to cut scan times in half and enhance image clarity for critical applications like cancer theranostics.

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

Beyond the Hype: Five Stocks Poised to Define the 2026 Investment Landscape

As 2026 unfolds, the AI investment thesis is maturing beyond initial skepticism, creating opportunities in both leading tech giants and overlooked sectors. We analyze five companies, from semiconductor powerhouses to regional e-commerce leaders, positioned for a pivotal year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Illinois Sees Dip in New Jobless Claims Amid Broader National Stability

Initial unemployment filings in Illinois fell last week, reflecting a modest improvement in local labor market conditions even as national numbers held steady.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Scotts Miracle-Gro Sheds Cannabis Unit in Strategic Pivot, Announces $500 Million Buyback

Scotts Miracle-Gro is selling its Hawthorne gardening subsidiary to focus on its core lawn and garden business, while launching a significant share repurchase program to return capital to shareholders.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

eBay's Fee Shift and Green Push: A Strategic Pivot or Seller Squeeze?

eBay is navigating a complex transition, implementing new ad fees and AI restrictions while doubling down on sustainability. These moves are reshaping the marketplace dynamics for sellers and investors alike.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

TSMC's Arizona Megafab Signals AI Boom, But Investors Question Valuation Amid Massive Expansion

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's planned Arizona gigafab cluster, backed by a US$250 billion U.S.-Taiwan initiative, underscores its pivotal role in powering the AI revolution while raising questions about capital intensity and long-term returns in the reshoring era.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Japan Bets Big on AI Sovereignty with $6.3 Billion Public-Private Push

In a strategic move to reduce reliance on foreign tech giants, Japan launches a national AI initiative, combining SoftBank's leadership with substantial government backing to develop a domestic foundational model.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Musk Weighs Unifying Empire: SpaceX in Talks for Potential Mergers with Tesla or xAI

Elon Musk is exploring strategic mergers for SpaceX, with discussions underway for potential combinations with either Tesla or his AI startup xAI, as the billionaire seeks to consolidate his sprawling technological ventures ahead of a landmark public offering.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

South African Startup Lift Airlines Gains IATA Membership, Paving Way for International Expansion

South African low-cost carrier Lift has secured membership in the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a key milestone that validates its business model and facilitates its planned regional expansion into Mauritius and Reunion.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Markets Dip on Trump's Surprise Fed Pick: Kevin Warsh Tapped to Replace Powell

U.S. stock futures turned lower Friday morning following President Trump's announcement nominating former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve, replacing Jerome Powell. The move injects fresh uncertainty into monetary policy outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SoFi Shatters Records with First $1 Billion Quarter, Charts Aggressive Crypto and AI Expansion

The digital financial services giant SoFi reported blockbuster Q4 2025 results, surpassing $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time. Fueled by explosive member growth and a booming tech platform, CEO Anthony Noto outlined an ambitious roadmap into crypto, stablecoins, and AI, signaling a new phase of aggressive expansion beyond traditional banking.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI's Double-Edged Sword: Software Stocks Slump as Innovation Fuels Investor Anxiety

A wave of selling has hit enterprise software giants, with sector leaders like SAP and Salesforce shedding billions in market value. The trigger? Microsoft's latest earnings revealed a slowdown in its cloud growth, but the deeper unease stems from AI's potential to disrupt the very foundations of the SaaS business model.

Jan 30, 2026