Cost Management

Business

Mondelez Consolidates Power: CFO Luca Zaramella Takes Helm as COO Amid Scrutiny Over Costs and Growth

Mondelez International merges financial and operational oversight under veteran CFO Luca Zaramella, who assumes the additional role of Chief Operating Officer. The strategic move aims to tighten cost discipline across global commercial units but raises questions about succession planning and cash flow pressures as the snack giant navigates a challenging market.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Pony AI's Cost Breakthrough Fuels Optimism for Autonomous Vehicle Rollout in Asia

As Pony AI Inc. slashes hardware costs by 70% and plans a major fleet expansion, investors are weighing its potential as a high-stakes bet on the future of self-driving cars in key Asian markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trade Tensions Fuel Construction Costs: Tariffs Drive 3.2% Surge in Nonresidential Building Expenses

New data reveals tariffs imposed on key materials like steel and aluminum pushed nonresidential construction costs up 3.2% in 2025, with economists warning of continued pressure and broader impacts on equipment prices in the year ahead.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Heavy Industry's New Power Play: Rooftop Solar Emerges as Key Tool for Cost and Carbon Reduction

Driven by falling costs and strong incentives, heavy manufacturing is increasingly turning to on-site solar power. This shift is transforming large factory roofs from passive structures into strategic assets for cutting energy bills and emissions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Waste Management Boosts Shareholder Returns Amid Renewable Energy Push

Waste Management (NYSE:WM) announced a significant 14.5% dividend hike and a new $3 billion share buyback program, signaling confidence in its cash flow strength despite competitive pressures. The move comes as the waste giant continues to invest in renewable natural gas and automation to drive future growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

RIA Roll-Up Momentum Continues: Corient and Carson Lead Latest Wave of Wealth Management Deals

The wealth management sector kicks off the year with strategic acquisitions and rebranding moves. Corient expands its Silicon Valley footprint, Carson integrates a long-time partner, and Cetera lures a team from Raymond James, highlighting the ongoing consolidation and competition for advisor talent.

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

U.S. Wholesale Inflation Surges in December, Fueled by Jump in Service Costs

U.S. producer prices rose more than expected in December, driven by the largest increase in service costs in months, complicating the inflation outlook as the Federal Reserve weighs its next policy move.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Realty Income Diversifies: Enters Mexican Industrial Market and Launches Asset Management Arm

Realty Income, the renowned monthly dividend payer, is making a strategic pivot by acquiring industrial assets in Mexico and establishing a new fee-based asset management business for institutional investors, signaling a significant expansion beyond its core U.S. retail net-lease portfolio.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Mortgage Math: What a $400K Home Really Costs at Today's 6.1% Rate

While mortgage rates have inched up slightly this week, homebuyers are still facing significantly lower borrowing costs compared to last year's peak. We break down the monthly and long-term savings on a typical home purchase.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Navigating Market Uncertainty: Vanguard's Low-Cost Utility ETF Offers a Defensive Haven for 2026

As equity markets show signs of fatigue after a prolonged bull run, defensive sectors like utilities are gaining attention. The Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU), with its low cost and stable dividend yield, presents a compelling option for investors seeking to buffer their portfolios against potential volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Analysts Bullish on Zscaler's Cybersecurity Dominance, Citing High Client Switching Costs as Key Moat

Citizens and Mizuho reaffirm positive ratings for Zscaler, highlighting its formidable competitive advantages rooted in complex implementation and high switching costs that lock in enterprise clients.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Producer Prices Surge in December, Fueled by Rising Service Costs

U.S. producer prices rose more than anticipated in December, driven primarily by increasing costs in the services sector. The data suggests businesses are beginning to pass on tariff-related expenses to consumers, potentially signaling a reacceleration of inflationary pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Wholesale Inflation Accelerates in December, Fueled by Surging Service Costs

Producer prices rose 0.5% last month, exceeding forecasts and marking the quickest pace in three months, as a sharp jump in services costs offset stable goods prices, signaling persistent inflationary pressures in the pipeline.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

HSBC Downgrades CoreWeave Outlook, Citing Mounting Debt Costs and Funding Pressures

HSBC has cut its price target for AI infrastructure firm CoreWeave, warning that rising borrowing costs and significant future funding needs could strain the high-flying company's financial runway.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Partner Default in Otway Basin Puts ConocoPhillips' Project Costs and Strategy Under Scrutiny

3D Energi's failure to meet a payment obligation on the ConocoPhillips-operated Otway Basin exploration project has triggered a trading halt and raised questions about cost impacts, partnership structures, and the oil major's valuation resilience.

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

Lazard Posts Record Advisory Revenue in 2025, Citing Strategic Gains and Asset Management Turnaround

Lazard Ltd. reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, driven by record financial advisory fees and a rebound in assets under management. Executives framed the performance as validation of the firm's long-term 'Lazard 2030' strategy, highlighting talent investments and a robust pipeline for future growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Vanguard Slashes Fees Again: Investors to Save Nearly $600 Million as Fund Giant Flexes Scale

In a move that deepens its cost leadership, Vanguard has reduced expense ratios on dozens of funds, marking the second major round of cuts under CEO Salim Ramji and highlighting the intense pressure on fees in the asset management industry.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Rafah Crossing Reopens Under EU Management After Two-Year Closure, Allowing Limited Movement

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt partially reopened Monday under European Union operation, permitting restricted passage for Palestinians after a near two-year Israeli closure. The move is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, though high costs and tight quotas severely limit access.

Feb 2, 2026