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Business

Ioneer's $72 Million Equity Raise: A Strategic Lifeline or Dilution Dilemma for Nevada's Rhyolite Ridge?

Australian miner ioneer has secured A$72 million in fresh capital to advance its flagship Nevada lithium-boron project. While the funds de-risk near-term construction, the discounted share placement sparks debate over strategic leverage versus shareholder dilution in a critical minerals race increasingly shaped by U.S. industrial policy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Huntington Bancshares Completes Cadence Bank Merger, Solidifying Southern Expansion Strategy

Huntington Bancshares has finalized its merger with Cadence Bank, a move that significantly extends its regional footprint into Texas and the Southern U.S. and reshapes its competitive standing.

Feb 2, 2026

From Wheat Pennies to Beanie Babies: The 2026 Collectibles That Have Lost Their Luster

Once-coveted items, from vintage vinyl to limited-edition toys, are now gathering dust in attics and failing to sell online as market saturation and shifting tastes redefine what's truly collectible.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cotton Futures Extend Slide Amid Weak Export Outlook and Stronger Dollar

Cotton markets opened the week under renewed pressure, with prices falling for a second consecutive session. The decline comes as export commitments lag significantly behind historical averages and managed money traders increase their bearish bets.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Lean Hog Futures Slump to Close Out Week, Traders Eye March for Rebound

Lean hog futures extended losses into Friday's session, pressured by a dip in the national cash market. Despite the weekly decline, a significant build in managed money net-long positions suggests some traders are betting on a near-term recovery as the calendar turns.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Corn Market Stumbles into February as Prices Slip Amid Mixed Fundamentals

Corn futures extended their recent slide to start the week, pressured by a stronger dollar and ongoing adjustments in trader positioning. Despite robust export commitments, concerns over South American harvest progress and speculative activity are keeping the market on the back foot.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Soybean Futures Extend Slide into February, Pressured by Export Concerns and Harvest Progress

Soybean markets opened February on a weaker note, extending losses from the previous week as sluggish export sales and advancing harvests in South America weigh on prices. Analysts are watching key USDA data for further direction.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Wheat Futures Extend Losses Amid Dollar Strength, Mixed Export Signals

Wheat markets opened the week under pressure, with futures across Chicago, Kansas City, and Minneapolis exchanges trading lower. A stronger U.S. dollar and mixed fundamental data, including a key Taiwanese purchase, set the tone for a cautious start.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cattle Futures Stumble as USDA Report Reveals Shrinking Herd

Live cattle futures closed mostly lower Friday, pressured by a key government report showing a slight decline in the national cattle inventory. While cash markets showed some resilience, the data points to ongoing tightness in beef supplies.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

American Express Rides High on Luxury Spending Surge, CEO Criticizes Proposed Rate Caps

American Express reports a significant 15% year-over-year jump in cardholder spending at luxury merchants in Q4, as the premium card network doubles down on its affluent customer base and weighs in on political debates over credit card interest rates.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Silver's Shine Dims, But This Streaming Giant Remains a Top Bet for Investors

Despite recent volatility in silver prices, Wheaton Precious Metals' unique streaming model positions it to generate robust cash flow, making it a standout choice for exposure to the precious metal.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Wells Fargo CEO's Pay Soars to $40 Million as Bank Emerges from Regulatory Shadow

Wells Fargo's board has approved a 28% compensation increase for CEO Charlie Scharf, bringing his total package to $40 million for the past year. The move comes as the bank, under Scharf's leadership since 2019, has recently shed major regulatory penalties stemming from its fake accounts scandal.

Feb 2, 2026

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

Business

Analysts Maintain Cautious Optimism for Colgate-Palmolive Despite Market Underperformance

While Colgate-Palmolive's stock has trailed the S&P 500 over the past year, Wall Street analysts see a resilient business model and strong international presence supporting long-term growth, maintaining a 'Moderate Buy' consensus.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

New Leadership Era Begins at Target and Walmart as Industry Giants Navigate Shifting Retail Landscape

Target's Michael Fiddelke and Walmart's John Furner step into the CEO role, outlining priorities to reinvigorate growth and customer loyalty amid operational and social challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Wells Fargo CEO's Pay Soars to $40 Million as Bank Emerges from Regulatory Shadow

Wells Fargo's board has approved a 28% compensation increase for CEO Charlie Scharf, bringing his total package to $40 million for the past year. The move comes as the bank marks a pivotal turnaround, with major federal penalties lifted and its transformation under Scharf's leadership cited as justification for the raise.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Snowflake Inks Major $200M AI Pact with OpenAI, Embedding Models Directly Into Data Cloud

Snowflake announces a strategic $200 million partnership with OpenAI to integrate its AI models natively into the data cloud platform. The move aims to let enterprises query and analyze proprietary data using natural language, intensifying competition in the AI-infused data management sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Manchester's Tree Accountancy Acquires Pomegranate Consulting UK Client Base in Strategic Expansion Move

Tree Accountancy strengthens its regional footprint by absorbing Pomegranate Consulting's UK portfolio and key staff, marking its second strategic acquisition in three years as it expands advisory services.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Meta's AI Ambitions Fuel Record Capital Spending, With $135 Billion Forecast for 2026

Meta Platforms' relentless investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure is set to drive capital expenditures to unprecedented levels in 2026, raising questions about long-term returns for the cash-rich tech giant.

Feb 2, 2026