Employee Benefits

Business

American Express Shares Dip After Q4 Earnings Narrowly Miss Estimates; Long-Term Outlook Remains Bullish

American Express reported fourth-quarter earnings that slightly trailed analyst forecasts, prompting a share price decline. Despite the near-term miss, the company issued strong forward guidance for 2026 and announced a significant dividend hike, underscoring confidence in its long-term growth trajectory driven by card member spending and fee growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Wisconsin Sees Uptick in Jobless Claims Amid Mixed National Picture

New unemployment filings in Wisconsin edged higher last week, diverging from a slight national decline and highlighting ongoing labor market fluctuations across states.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Regeneron Aims to Redefine Obesity Treatment with Dual-Action Drug Targeting Weight and Cholesterol

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is positioning its experimental obesity drug, olatorepatide, as a potential game-changer by combining significant weight loss with a dramatic reduction in 'bad' cholesterol. The company believes this dual benefit could carve out a unique niche in the competitive $150 billion market, currently led by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa Doubles Down on Digital Frontiers: Stablecoin Settlements and Crypto Access Take Center Stage

Visa is aggressively expanding its footprint beyond traditional card payments, launching new initiatives in stablecoin settlements, renter-focused commerce, and streamlined crypto-to-fiat conversions. These partnerships aim to embed Visa's network into the burgeoning worlds of blockchain-based finance and essential housing expenditures.

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

Broadcom's AI Chip Dominance Fuels Investor Optimism Amid Data Center Boom

As demand for AI infrastructure surges, Broadcom's custom chip business positions it for sustained growth, with analysts highlighting its potential for long-term portfolio gains despite its absence from some top stock lists.

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

IonQ's Strategic Buyout of SkyWater: A Quantum Leap Towards Vertical Integration

IonQ's acquisition of semiconductor foundry SkyWater Technology marks a pivotal shift, granting it a unique edge in chip manufacturing and positioning it as a frontrunner for lucrative government contracts in the nascent quantum computing race.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

American Express Caps 2025 with Record Revenue, Eyes Continued Premium Growth in 2026

American Express reported a 10% revenue surge to $72 billion for 2025, driven by strong premium card demand and disciplined credit. Executives project 9-10% growth for 2026, betting on younger customers and strategic tech investments to sustain momentum.

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

Presidential Endorsement Sends French Eyewear Maker Soaring, But Can It Revive a Fading Industry?

A pair of aviator sunglasses worn by French President Emmanuel Macron during a high-profile moment at Davos has triggered a global sales frenzy for the historic brand Henry Jullien. While the Italian-owned company sees its stock and orders surge, industry veterans question whether the presidential spotlight can stem the long-term decline of French eyewear manufacturing.

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

Potential Devon-Coterra Merger Poised to Reshape U.S. Shale Landscape

Advanced talks between Devon Energy and Coterra Energy could culminate in one of the largest shale oil deals on record, signaling a new wave of consolidation as producers seek scale and efficiency amid market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Verizon Charts Aggressive Turnaround After Strong Q4, Unveils $25 Billion Buyback and Dividend Hike

Under new leadership, Verizon posts its best subscriber growth in years, outlines a massive cost-cutting plan, and signals a strategic pivot towards customer retention and convergence, backed by the completed Frontier acquisition.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Funeral Financing: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Borrowing to Say Goodbye

As funeral costs rise, many grieving families face a difficult financial decision. This article explores the realities of funeral loans, alternative funding sources, and the long-term implications of taking on debt during a time of loss.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

7 Leaves Cafe Brews Up a Tech Upgrade: Partners with Square to Streamline Operations Across All 44 U.S. Stores

The popular Vietnamese-American beverage chain is implementing Square's commerce platform to unify in-store and drive-thru experiences, enhance loyalty programs, and scale its growing national footprint.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Business Touts Record Capital Recycling, Nears Corporate Reorganization Milestone

Brookfield Business Partners reported a robust 2025, generating over $2 billion from asset sales, reducing debt, and making strategic acquisitions. The firm is on the cusp of a major corporate restructuring into a single listed entity, aiming to boost liquidity and investor appeal in a shifting global landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

World

U.S. and Guatemala Seal Reciprocal Trade Deal, Aiming to Strengthen Western Hemisphere Ties

The United States and Guatemala have formally signed a reciprocal trade agreement designed to dismantle barriers for American exporters and deepen economic integration in the region, officials announced Friday.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Maryland Sees Sharp Drop in Weekly Jobless Claims, Outpacing National Trend

New unemployment filings in Maryland fell significantly last week, offering a spot of positive news for the state's labor market as national claims also edged lower.

Jan 30, 2026