EY Item Club

Business

Ares Management Doubles Down on Alternative Assets: From Football Clubs to Personal Care Giant

In a strategic push beyond traditional lending, Ares Management has seized operational control of a multi-club football group and orchestrated a $1.6 billion financing to create a new global personal care platform, Evermark. The moves signal the firm's aggressive expansion into high-profile, control-oriented credit opportunities.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Disney Sports Unit Loses $110 Million in Profits Following YouTube TV Blackout

A two-week carriage dispute between Disney and YouTube TV last November resulted in a significant financial blow to Disney's sports division, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the streaming and traditional cable landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Six More Weeks of Winter: Punxsutawney Phil Sees Shadow in 139th Groundhog Day Forecast

Punxsutawney Phil emerged to see his shadow at Gobbler's Knob this morning, predicting an extended winter season as the annual tradition draws crowds and online viewers amidst modern forecasting debates.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Weyerhaeuser Navigates Brutal Lumber Markets, Bets on Land and Climate for Growth

Despite posting a quarterly loss in its core wood products unit amid 'extremely challenging' markets, Weyerhaeuser closed 2025 with strategic pivots. The forestry giant is doubling down on its land management and nascent 'Climate Solutions' business, while managing a disciplined capital return to shareholders.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

LendingClub Shares Tumble 19.7% Amid Accounting Overhaul and Strategic Pivot

Despite reporting stronger annual profits and lower charge-offs, LendingClub's stock faces significant pressure following its shift to fair value accounting and the launch of new growth initiatives like home improvement loans.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Medtronic's Growth Outlook Tempered by Survey on Renal Denervation Adoption

A recent physician survey on renal denervation procedure volumes has prompted analysts to adopt a more measured view of Medtronic's near-term growth potential, even as the medical device giant remains a favored long-term holding.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Primis Financial Navigates 'Noisy' Quarter, Eyes 1% ROA Goal for 2026

Primis Financial (FRST) posted Q4 earnings of $29.5M, buoyed by a one-time gain. Management pegs core quarterly earnings near $8M, citing mortgage growth and deposit mix improvements as key drivers for its 2026 profitability target.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Financial Institutions Caps 'Strong' 2025 with Robust Earnings, Eyes Growth from Micron-Led Upstate NY Boom

Financial Institutions (FISI) reported solid Q4 and full-year 2025 results, beating guidance on key profitability metrics. Management highlighted disciplined loan growth, a strengthened capital position, and strategic shifts, while pointing to long-term opportunities from major industrial investments in its Upstate New York footprint.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

LendingClub Shares Plunge 16% as Accounting Change Overshadows Strong Earnings

LendingClub Corp. (LC) shares tumbled sharply this week, extending losses for a third consecutive session after the company announced a shift to fair value accounting. The move, aimed at aligning revenue with credit costs, spooked investors despite the fintech firm reporting a 164% surge in annual net income.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

FAT Brands' Bankruptcy Triggers Second Wave of Smokey Bones Closures, Accelerating Shift to Twin Peaks

Amid Chapter 11 proceedings, FAT Brands and its affiliate Twin Hospitality are shuttering an additional 14 Smokey Bones BBQ restaurants nationwide. The move follows earlier closures and conversions, highlighting a strategic pivot toward the more profitable Twin Peaks sports bar concept as the parent company restructures.

Jan 30, 2026

World

From Across the Border: Iranian Exiles in Turkey Watch Homeland's Turmoil with Fear and Hope

In a cafe in eastern Turkey, Iranian exiles gather, their eyes fixed on news from home. As a new wave of protests meets a severe crackdown, those who fled earlier unrest watch, wait, and voice a desperate mix of anguish, anger, and fragile hope.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hilltop Honey Appoints Tom Delaney as CEO to Spearhead Ambitious £100m Growth Plan

Founder Scott Davies steps into executive chairman role as the Welsh honey maker rebrands to Hilltop Food Group and targets doubling turnover within five years through international expansion and new product categories.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney's Long-Term Cash Flow in Focus as Ashva Capital Weighs In

Investment firm Ashva Capital Management outlines its investment case for The Walt Disney Company in its Q4 2025 letter, highlighting the entertainment giant's enduring value proposition amid near-term market volatility.

Feb 2, 2026

From Alley to Empire: Three Decades On, New York's Tech Scene Has Outgrown Its Moniker

A recent anniversary event for 'Silicon Alley' highlighted how New York's technology sector has evolved from a concentrated downtown community into a vast, decentralized force spanning finance, AI, and e-commerce.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond Nvidia: Why Broadcom's Custom AI Chip Strategy Is Gaining Serious Investor Attention

As the AI arms race intensifies, Broadcom (AVGO) is emerging as a formidable challenger to Nvidia's dominance, fueled by a surging custom chip business and a compelling growth narrative that's catching Wall Street's eye.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney Parks Power Record Q1 Revenue Amid CEO Search, While Rising Costs Pressure Profits

Disney's theme parks and cruise lines delivered a historic $10 billion quarter, driving overall revenue past expectations. However, surging costs across its media and sports divisions squeezed profits as the entertainment giant nears a decision on its next chief executive.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ripple Secures Full EU Electronic Money License, Cementing European Ambitions

Ripple has obtained a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg's CSSF, granting it passporting rights across the European Union. This marks a significant regulatory milestone following recent UK approval and a period of aggressive fundraising and acquisitions.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Barrell Craft Spirits Sells Kentucky Facility as Whiskey Market Cools

Barrell Craft Spirits has sold a contract bottling plant in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, consolidating operations back to its Louisville site amid shifting consumer demand and a broader slowdown in the US whiskey category.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney's ESPN Valued at $30 Billion in Landmark NFL Partnership Deal

The Walt Disney Company has placed a $30 billion valuation on ESPN as part of its newly finalized strategic partnership with the National Football League, which includes complex future equity options and a major integration of NFL media assets.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Insider Bets Pay Off Despite Bed Bath & Beyond's Stock Slide

While Bed Bath & Beyond shares fell 13%, insiders who bought in the last year remain in profit, highlighting a potential disconnect between internal confidence and market sentiment.

Feb 2, 2026