Executive Appointments

Business

Valero Energy Caps Record Year with Soaring Q4 Profits, Eyes Policy Shifts and Venezuelan Crude

Valero Energy reported a robust fourth quarter, with net income surging to $1.1 billion, driven by strong refining margins and record operational performance. While renewable diesel faced headwinds, ethanol profits soared. The company outlined disciplined capital plans and highlighted potential tailwinds from policy clarity and increased access to discounted heavy crude.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK PM Starmer Lands in Shanghai Amid US Trade Tensions, Leading Largest Business Delegation in Years

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai Friday with over 50 business leaders, aiming to deepen UK-China commercial ties. The visit, the first by a UK premier in eight years, comes against a backdrop of renewed US skepticism over Western engagement with Beijing.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

ResMed Founder's Prestigious Honor Casts Spotlight on Company's Enduring Growth Narrative

The Horatio Alger Award bestowed upon ResMed founder Dr. Peter Farrell underscores the company's decades-long leadership in sleep and respiratory care, bringing its financial performance and competitive strategy into sharper focus for investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

United Rentals Caps Record 2025, Eyes Another Year of Growth Fueled by Mega-Projects

United Rentals reported strong Q4 results, driven by data center and power sector demand, and issued 2026 guidance forecasting continued revenue growth. Management highlighted a robust project pipeline while navigating margin pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Thermo Fisher Scientific Caps 'Strong Year' with Robust Q4, Eyes Strategic Growth Amid Market Headwinds

Thermo Fisher Scientific reported a strong finish to 2025, with Q4 results exceeding expectations. While navigating currency volatility and tariffs, the life sciences giant highlighted growth in core biopharma sectors, strategic acquisitions like Clario, and a solid 2026 outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Atour Emerges as a Premium Contender in China's Hotel Wars, Says CLSA

Brokerage firm CLSA initiates coverage on Atour Lifestyle Holdings with an 'Outperform' rating and a $49 price target, highlighting its unique brand ecosystem and asset-light model as key differentiators in a competitive market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bargain Hunt: UK Stocks Trading at Steep Discounts Amid Market Jitters

As the FTSE indices reel from weak Chinese trade data, a screen of undervalued UK equities reveals potential opportunities. We examine three companies trading significantly below their estimated cash flow value.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Asia's Insurance Gap: A $64 Billion Climate Risk to Global Supply Chains

Despite bearing the brunt of costly natural disasters, Asia-Pacific remains the world's least insured region, with a staggering $64 billion protection shortfall in 2024 alone, threatening economic stability and vulnerable communities.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Robert Half Sees Green Shoots in Q4, But Recovery Remains Fragile Amid Year-Over-Year Declines

Robert Half International reports a pivotal return to sequential revenue growth in Q4 2025, signaling a potential turning point after a prolonged slump. However, the staffing giant continues to grapple with significant year-over-year declines, highlighting an uneven recovery path for the broader professional labor market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Royal Caribbean Charts Aggressive Expansion on Record Demand, Unveils New Ship Class

Buoyed by record bookings and strong financial performance in 2025, Royal Caribbean Group projects double-digit revenue growth for 2026. The cruise giant announced a major fleet expansion, including a new 'Discovery Class' and ten additional river cruise ships, signaling confidence in sustained consumer appetite for experiential travel.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

PulteGroup Navigates Market Volatility to Post Strong 2025, Eyes Growth Amid Elevated Incentives

Despite facing what its CEO called "highly variable" housing demand in 2025, PulteGroup reported another year of robust revenue and earnings, driven by its diversified buyer mix and strength in the active-adult segment. While Q4 profitability softened, the homebuilder is betting on strategic land investments and a resilient spring selling season to fuel its 2026 outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fractyl Health Charts Path for Revita as Potential Solution to Post-GLP-1 Weight Regain

Fractyl Health's Revita procedure shows promise in maintaining weight after stopping GLP-1 drugs, with new six-month data prompting the company to seek a streamlined FDA pathway. A packed 2026 roadmap aims for a U.S. submission, but financial pressures loom.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Plains All American Doubles Down on Crude with EPIC Pipeline Deal, Sparking Investor Debate

Plains All American Pipeline's strategic pivot—selling its Canadian NGL unit for $3.8 billion to fund the acquisition of the EPIC Crude Oil Pipeline—has sharpened its focus on oil transportation. While a 10% distribution hike signals confidence, analyst downgrades and heightened options volatility ahead of earnings reveal deep divisions over the company's risk-reward profile.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CFTC Chair Charts New Course for Prediction Markets, Vowing Clarity for Polymarket and Kalshi

In a major policy shift, the CFTC under new Chairman Michael Selig is drafting a comprehensive rulebook for event contracts, aiming to bring regulatory certainty to the fast-growing prediction market industry while fostering 'permissionless innovation.'

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Murphy Oil Navigates Price Volatility, Bets Big on Vietnam and Offshore Growth in 2026

Despite a challenging price environment, Murphy Oil (MUR) reported strong operational execution for 2025 and laid out a capital plan focused on funding key international and offshore projects. While near-term production is set to dip, CEO Eric Hambly highlighted a transformative discovery in Vietnam and strategic portfolio expansion as pillars for future growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Meritage Homes Navigates 'Softer' Housing Market, Prioritizes Margins Over Volume

Meritage Homes concluded a challenging 2025, citing affordability pressures and waning buyer confidence. While maintaining a cautious stance on incentives, the homebuilder is expanding its community footprint and boosting shareholder returns, betting on long-term demographic demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

NextPower Soars on Strong Earnings, Lands Major Saudi Deal as Analyst Target Jumps

NextPower Inc. sees its price target raised by TD Cowen following a robust third-quarter earnings beat and a landmark joint venture in Saudi Arabia, signaling growing confidence in the solar technology firm's trajectory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Australia Vows to Press Ahead with Critical Minerals Strategy Despite U.S. Policy Shift

Australia reaffirms its commitment to building resilient critical mineral supply chains and a strategic reserve, undeterred by the U.S. stepping back from plans to guarantee minimum prices for such projects.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Western Digital Posts Strong Q2 Growth, Bolsters Future with Long-Term Deals Amid AI Storage Surge

Western Digital Corp (WDC) announced a robust 25% year-over-year revenue increase for its fiscal second quarter of 2026, driven by strategic long-term agreements and a favorable product mix. While consumer segment challenges persist, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on the burgeoning data storage demands from artificial intelligence.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

GSI Technology Posts Q3 Revenue Growth Amid Strategic Pivot to Defense and Edge AI

GSI Technology Inc. reports a 12% year-over-year revenue increase for Q3 2026, driven by defense sector adoption of its Gemini-II APU. While R&D investments pressure margins, the company highlights a strong cash position and expanding applications in smart cities and robotics.

Jan 30, 2026