EY Item Club

Business

Voyager Breaks Ground on Major Pueblo Defense Complex, Signaling U.S. Industrial Base Push

Voyager Technologies has commenced a significant expansion of its defense manufacturing facility in Pueblo, Colorado, marking one of the region's largest military-industrial investments in recent years. The project aims to bolster domestic production for missile defense and munitions, integrating advanced automation and AI-driven logistics.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Threatens 50% Tariff, Decertification of Canadian Aircraft in Escalating Trade Dispute

In a late-night social media post, former President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on all Canadian aircraft sold in the U.S. and decertify new planes, citing Canada's alleged refusal to certify Gulfstream jets. The move, targeting Bombardier, risks disrupting U.S. regional aviation and corporate travel.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dollar, Yields Climb as Trump Nears Fed Chair Pick, With Warsh Seen as Front-Runner

The U.S. dollar and Treasury yields advanced amid reports President Trump is set to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next central bank chief, a choice markets interpret as leaning hawkish and likely to slow the pace of interest rate cuts.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Hubbell's Rally Tests Valuation Ceiling: Is the Electrical Giant Still a Buy?

Hubbell Incorporated's stock has surged over 11% in the past month, closing near $498 and prompting a fresh debate among analysts over whether its current price fully reflects future growth potential amidst industry headwinds.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Midwest Gas Prices Climb for Second Straight Week, Nearing $2.70 per Gallon

Drivers across the Midwest are feeling the pinch as average gasoline prices rose for a second consecutive week, with regional costs now sitting significantly below the national average.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Tap Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as Next Central Bank Chief, Signaling Policy Shift

President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor with a notably more open stance toward Bitcoin, to lead the central bank. The anticipated move has already triggered market reactions and reshaped expectations for U.S. monetary policy.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

El Salvador Doubles Down on Gold, Acquires $50 Million in Bullion Amid Global Rush

The Central American nation makes its second major gold purchase in months, fortifying reserves as it balances pioneering Bitcoin bets with traditional safe-haven assets during a period of market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Solana Sees Surge of 10 Million New Addresses, But Can It Translate to Price Momentum?

Solana's network is attracting new users at a rapid pace, adding over 10 million first-time transaction addresses daily. However, conflicting signals from ETF outflows and a cautious macro environment are testing whether this growth can fuel a sustained price rally for SOL.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Shein Forced to Revamp Climate Pledges Following German NGO's Legal Challenge

Fast-fashion giant Shein has been compelled to alter its public climate commitments after a German environmental watchdog issued a formal warning over 'misleading' claims. The move highlights growing scrutiny of the industry's environmental footprint.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Real Matters Posts Strong Q1 Growth, Returns to Profitability in Sluggish Mortgage Market

Real Matters Inc. (TSE: REAL) kicked off its 2026 fiscal year with robust double-digit revenue growth and a return to profitability, defying typical seasonal headwinds. The company's performance was fueled by market share gains, new client launches, and improved operational efficiency across its U.S. and Canadian segments.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Exco Technologies Navigates Market Shifts with Strong Automotive Performance, Offsetting Tooling Weakness

Exco Technologies Ltd. (TSE:XTC) kicked off its fiscal 2026 with a solid first quarter, posting higher profits despite a mixed demand environment. Robust growth in its Automotive Solutions segment successfully countered softer demand in its die-cast tooling business, showcasing the resilience of its diversified model amid ongoing trade policy and economic uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Volvere's Meteoric Rise: How a Niche Player Delivered 35% Annual Returns to Shareholders

While market volatility rattles investors, Volvere plc (LON:VLE) has quietly engineered a remarkable three-year run, with its share price soaring 148%. We examine the fundamentals behind the surge and ask if the momentum can hold.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Public Sector Pension Bill Soars to £39bn, Placing Growing Burden on Taxpayers

Official figures reveal a sharp 26% increase in the annual cost of public sector pensions, now reaching £39bn, with taxpayers covering the bulk of the expense as employer contribution rates rise.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

A £25m Question: Why Is the UK Government Investing in Octopus's 'Powerhouse' Tech Firm?

The UK government's £25m investment in Octopus Energy's Kraken Technologies through the British Business Bank raises critical questions about the use of taxpayer funds to back an already scaled, global, and recently loss-making platform.

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

Fed Contender Kevin Warsh's Hawkish Past Sparks Bitcoin Sell-Off

Bitcoin tumbled toward $81,000 as markets reacted to the potential nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, whose history of monetary hawkishness is viewed as a headwind for risk assets like cryptocurrency.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Volatility Surges to 8-Month High as Traders Brace for Turbulence

Bitcoin's volatility gauge spiked sharply during Thursday's sell-off, signaling heightened trader anxiety and a rush for downside protection, though metrics suggest the market is not yet in extreme fear territory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Latham & Watkins Tops 2025 TMT M&A Legal Rankings, Kirkland & Ellis in Close Pursuit

A new industry report reveals Latham & Watkins advised on a record $370bn in tech, media, and telecom deals last year, narrowly edging out rivals in a highly competitive legal advisory market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fast-Casual Dining Stocks Stage a Surprising Rebound Amid Shifting Consumer Habits

After a brutal 2025, fast-casual restaurant stocks are rallying sharply in early 2026. Analysts debate whether this marks a genuine recovery or a temporary bounce, as consumers pivot towards grocery and convenience store meals, forcing a reckoning on value and quality.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI Infrastructure Showdown: Can IREN and APLD Sustain Their Meteoric Rise?

Once crypto miners, IREN and Applied Digital have pivoted to AI infrastructure, delivering staggering returns. But as valuations soar, investors face a critical choice between predictable cash flow and high-growth optionality.

Jan 30, 2026