DeFi

Business

From Hurricanes to Sentiment: Wintermute Predicts Crypto Prediction Markets Will Upend Insurance by 2026

A new report from crypto market maker Wintermute Ventures forecasts a seismic shift, arguing that blockchain-based prediction markets will begin displacing traditional insurance by making hyper-specific risks tradable. The firm outlines a future where decentralized infrastructure becomes the new clearing layer for a programmable global economy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hess Midstream Charts Course for Cash Flow Surge as Major Infrastructure Build Nears Completion

Hess Midstream Partners LP (HESM) signals a pivotal shift towards robust free cash flow generation, forecasting a 40% drop in capital expenditures for 2026 as its core system build-out concludes. Despite near-term weather headwinds, strong minimum volume commitments underpin financial targets through 2028.

Feb 2, 2026

World

France's 2026 Budget Set for Final Approval After Political Showdown

After months of political gridlock and a series of no-confidence votes, France's parliament is poised to adopt the contentious 2026 budget. The survival of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's government hinges on Monday's vote, marking a critical juncture for the nation's fiscal and political stability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Devon and Coterra Forge $58 Billion Shale Giant in Major All-Stock Merger

Devon Energy and Coterra Energy have agreed to combine in a landmark all-stock deal, creating a premier large-cap operator in the prolific Delaware Basin with an enterprise value of approximately $58 billion.

Feb 2, 2026

Consensus Builder or Status-Quo Echo? Kevin Warsh's Leadership Style Draws Scrutiny Ahead of Fed Chair Nomination

As Kevin Warsh emerges as a frontrunner for Federal Reserve Chair, former colleagues paint a picture of a consensus-seeking listener. But with the Fed facing internal divisions and external pressure, questions remain: Is his collaborative style the steady hand needed, or a potential liability in times of crisis?

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Forrestania Resources Consolidates Control of High-Grade Mt Palmer Gold Project in Strategic $18m Deal

Forrestania Resources moves to 100% ownership of the historic Mt Palmer gold project in Western Australia through a share-based acquisition, aiming to fast-track development and feed its Lake Johnston processing facility.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Aptiv Caps Strong 2025 with Record Q4 Revenue, Sets Stage for Versagen Spin-Off

Aptiv reported record fourth-quarter revenue of $5.2 billion, a 3% increase, as the automotive technology leader prepares to spin off its Electrical Distribution Systems business as the independent company Versagen on April 1, 2026.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Coastal Financial's Stock Slide Sparks Debate: Is the Pullback a Buying Opportunity or a Warning Sign?

Shares of Coastal Financial (CCB) have retreated sharply from recent highs, reigniting the debate over the fintech-focused bank's premium valuation. While long-term performance remains strong, current momentum is fading, leaving investors to weigh high growth expectations against traditional valuation metrics.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kinsale Capital's Niche Strategy Fuels Robust Growth Amid Valuation Scrutiny

Specialty insurer Kinsale Capital Group continues to outpace broader industry growth in key metrics, driven by its focus on underserved, higher-risk markets. However, its premium valuation and recent stock volatility have intensified debate among investors about its long-term sustainability.

Feb 2, 2026

From Coffee to Cookies: How New Tariffs Are Driving Up Prices on Imported Grocery Staples

Shoppers are bracing for another wave of price increases as new import taxes take effect, targeting a range of everyday items from spirits to seafood. Experts warn the hikes will squeeze household budgets and force tough choices at the supermarket.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Coterra and Devon Seal $58 Billion Merger, Forging a U.S. Shale Powerhouse

The all-stock deal creates one of the nation's largest independent oil and gas producers, headquartered in Houston, with combined assets poised to reshape the competitive landscape of the shale sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Iger's Parting Wisdom to Next Disney CEO: Embrace Change, Shun the Status Quo

As Bob Iger prepares for his second departure, the Disney CEO outlines a forward-looking mandate for his successor during an earnings call, emphasizing evolution in a dynamic media landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IDEXX Laboratories Posts Strong Q4 2025, Driven by Diagnostic Innovation and Global Expansion

IDEXX Laboratories reports robust fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, with double-digit revenue growth fueled by record instrument placements and strategic innovations like InVue DX and CancerDx. The company provides a confident outlook for 2026, targeting continued organic growth despite sector headwinds.

Feb 2, 2026

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

Piper Sandler Trims Price Target for Black Diamond Therapeutics Amid Model Review, Despite Recent Clinical Wins

Analyst Piper Sandler has lowered its price target on Black Diamond Therapeutics (BDTX) while maintaining an Overweight rating, following a broad review of its biotech coverage. The adjustment comes even as the company recently reported encouraging Phase 2 data for its lead oncology drug candidate.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Pressure Mounts on Lord Mandelson to Resign from House of Lords Amid Deepening Epstein Scandal Fallout

Former UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, faces intensifying political and public pressure to relinquish his lifetime seat in the House of Lords following new revelations about his financial and personal ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for his resignation, as documents suggest payments and close correspondence between the two.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Vatican Announces Major Restoration of Michelangelo's 'Last Judgment' in Sistine Chapel

The Vatican has launched a meticulous three-month restoration of Michelangelo's iconic 'Last Judgment' fresco in the Sistine Chapel, aiming to revive the masterpiece's original chromatic brilliance obscured by decades of grime.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Lexeo Therapeutics Faces Market Skepticism Despite Positive PKP2 Gene Therapy Data

H.C. Wainwright maintains a Buy rating on Lexeo Therapeutics but slashes its price target, citing persistent market doubts over the company's PKP2 cardiomyopathy program despite encouraging early clinical results.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Aptiv Gains Analyst Favor as Strategic Shift Yields 'More Realistic' Growth Outlook

Aptiv PLC sees mixed but upwardly revised price targets from major analysts, with Piper Sandler upgrading the auto tech supplier to Overweight and naming it a top pick for 2026, citing its pragmatic strategy and attractive valuation.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Gymshark Founder Ben Francis on Billionaire Status: 'It's Just a Number on Paper'

From delivering pizzas to building a global sportswear empire, Ben Francis's journey to a $1.4 billion net worth is a modern business fable. Yet, in a candid podcast interview, the Gymshark CEO argues that equating self-worth with wealth is a 'wildly unproductive way to live,' offering a rare glimpse into the mindset behind the paper fortune.

Feb 2, 2026