Freight Demand

World

Starmer's Diplomatic Gamble Backfires: Ex-Ambassador Mandelson Under Police Probe Over Epstein Ties

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting political pressure as his former Washington envoy, Peter Mandelson, is investigated for alleged misconduct and leaking sensitive documents to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer has expressed deep regret over the appointment, accusing Mandelson of repeated lies and betrayal.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Analysts Boost Primerica Target as Insurer Navigates Mixed Landscape

TD Cowen raises its price target for Primerica (PRI) to $326, citing strength in its investment segment despite challenges in term life sales. The adjustment comes amid a cautiously optimistic preview of the life insurance sector.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Analysts Split on Mattel's Outlook as Morgan Stanley Raises Price Target

Wall Street firms offer diverging views on Mattel Inc. (MAT) ahead of key industry earnings, with Morgan Stanley lifting its price target while highlighting a more favorable setup for rival Hasbro.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Azenta Tops Q4 Revenue Forecasts, but Flat Sales and Lingering Profitability Questions Weigh on Market Sentiment

Life sciences firm Azenta (AZTA) edged past Wall Street's revenue expectations for its fiscal fourth quarter, though year-over-year sales remained stagnant. While adjusted earnings met consensus, the company's long-term growth trajectory and path to sustained profitability remain key investor concerns.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Morgan Stanley Cuts NetApp to Underweight, Citing Historic Slowdown in IT Hardware Spending

Morgan Stanley downgraded NetApp (NTAP) and slashed its price target, pointing to a CIO survey revealing the weakest hardware budget growth in 15 years. The move contrasts with a recent bullish initiation from Goldman Sachs.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Diamond Hill Bets on Apartment REIT Centerspace Amid Market Volatility

Diamond Hill Capital's Small Cap Strategy added Centerspace (CSR) to its portfolio in Q4 2025, highlighting a focus on resilient real estate assets. The REIT's performance and future potential are analyzed against a backdrop of mixed market gains and ongoing economic uncertainty.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Nintendo Shares Plunge on Profit Margin Squeeze, Despite Strong Switch 2 Sales

Nintendo's stock tumbled over 11% as quarterly earnings revealed pressure from rising component costs and thinner margins on its new console, even as Switch 2 sales exceeded expectations.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Devon Energy's HQ Departure Leaves a Void in Oklahoma City's Heart and Economy

The relocation of Devon Energy's headquarters to Houston following its merger strips Oklahoma City of a key corporate citizen, with ripple effects expected across the local economy, philanthropy, and civic influence.

Feb 4, 2026

World

Oman to Host U.S.-Iran Talks Amidst Rising Tensions and Domestic Crackdown

Iranian media reports confirm high-stakes talks between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled for Friday in Oman, a familiar neutral ground, as regional hostilities escalate and international scrutiny intensifies over Tehran's harsh response to recent protests.

Feb 4, 2026

US

The Invisible Handcuffs: How Outdated Building Codes Stifle Affordable Housing

Beyond zoning, a labyrinth of construction rules and fire safety mandates treats apartments as commercial hazards, driving up costs and deepening the U.S. housing shortage. Reform advocates are pushing back against a century of bias embedded in policy.

Feb 4, 2026

US

Loudoun County Schools' Security Training Involving Parent 'Terrorist' Scenario Sparks Outrage Following Student Tragedy

A Virginia school board's closed-door staff training, which used actors to simulate parents as 'terrorist' threats, has drawn fierce criticism. The controversial session occurred shortly after a fatal accident claimed a student's life, further inflaming tensions in a district already grappling with heated debates over transgender policies.

Feb 4, 2026

US

Federal Judge Restricts Tear Gas Use by Agents at Portland ICE Protests

A federal judge in Oregon has issued a temporary restraining order limiting federal officers' use of tear gas and projectile munitions against protesters at a Portland ICE facility, citing constitutional concerns over the treatment of peaceful demonstrators and journalists.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Elevance Health's Capital Efficiency Raises Questions Amid Growth Push

While the healthcare giant continues to expand its revenue base, a declining trend in its return on capital employed (ROCE) suggests management's aggressive reinvestment strategy may be coming at the cost of near-term profitability. Analysts are divided on whether this signals long-term vision or inefficient capital allocation.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Accel Bets Big on Fibr AI's Vision to Personalize the Static Corporate Website

With $7.5M in total funding, Fibr AI uses autonomous AI agents to transform generic enterprise webpages into dynamic, one-to-one experiences, challenging the traditional agency-driven personalization model.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

California Defies National Trend as Homebuyers Still Pay Above Asking in Key Markets

While most U.S. buyers now secure discounts, a new analysis reveals three major California metro areas remain outliers where premiums are the norm, underscoring the state's persistent affordability crisis.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Fortive Beats Street Expectations in Q4, Outlines Confident Path Forward

Industrial technology conglomerate Fortive (NYSE:FTV) reported fourth-quarter revenue and profit that topped analyst forecasts, driven by strong execution and disciplined capital allocation, even as broader market headwinds loom.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Arkema and Senior Forge Strategic Pact to Accelerate Next-Generation Battery Materials

French specialty chemicals leader Arkema and China's Senior Technology have entered a comprehensive collaboration to fast-track the development and industrial-scale production of advanced materials for lithium-ion batteries, targeting the booming electric vehicle and energy storage markets.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

AI Won't Steal Your Job, Says VC Ben Horowitz — History Suggests It Will Create New Ones Instead

Andreessen Horowitz cofounder Ben Horowitz pushes back against dire predictions of AI-driven mass unemployment, arguing that technological shifts have always created unforeseen new roles and that the future of work is inherently unpredictable.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Parker-Hannifin Soars on Industrial Strength, Outpacing Broader Market in Q4

Aristotle Capital's latest investor letter reveals Parker-Hannifin (PH) as a standout performer, driven by robust organic growth and resilience in industrial and aerospace markets, even as the fund's overall strategy lagged behind major indices.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

AbbVie Outlines Robust Growth Trajectory Through 2026, Powered by Immunology Blockbusters

The pharmaceutical giant AbbVie projects profits exceeding analyst expectations for 2026, buoyed by the stellar performance of its newer immunology drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which are successfully offsetting the decline of its former top-seller Humira.

Feb 4, 2026