Geopolitics of Technology

Business

NetEase Cloud Music Strikes Major Deal with Universal Music Group, Gaining Distribution Rights and Vowing to Boost Chinese Artists

NetEase Cloud Music has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with Universal Music Group, securing licensing and distribution rights for UMG's vast catalog in China. The deal aims to expand music access for Chinese listeners while creating new global promotion channels for domestic talent.

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

Producer Prices Surge, Undermining Trump's 'Solved' Inflation Claim

A sharp, unexpected jump in wholesale prices complicates the White House's economic narrative and its pressure campaign on the Federal Reserve for rate cuts.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UN Faces 'Imminent Financial Collapse,' Guterres Warns in Dire Letter to Member States

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued his starkest warning yet, stating the United Nations' deepening liquidity crisis threatens its operations and risks a financial meltdown, driven by unpaid dues and an antiquated budget rule.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Analysts Trim Targets on Antero Resources Amid Shifting Energy Outlook, But Bullish Stance Remains

Morgan Stanley and Barclays have both lowered their price targets for Appalachian Basin natural gas leader Antero Resources (AR), citing revised commodity forecasts. Despite the cuts, Morgan Stanley maintains an 'Overweight' rating, signaling continued confidence in the stock's long-term trajectory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Piper Sandler Trims Price Target for Expand Energy (EXE) Amid Shifting Natural Gas Landscape

Analysts at Piper Sandler have slightly lowered their price target for Expand Energy (EXE), the natural gas giant formed from a recent mega-merger, reflecting near-term pressures but maintaining a bullish long-term outlook for the sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Chevron Ramps Up Venezuelan Oil Shipments to U.S., Nearing 300,000 Barrels Per Day

Chevron is significantly increasing crude exports from Venezuela to the United States, capitalizing on a special U.S. license and growing demand from Gulf Coast refineries, while new competitors enter the recently reopened market.

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

Market Mismatch: Three Undervalued Stocks Trading at Steep Discounts

Amidst a choppy market, value investors are hunting for bargains. We spotlight three companies—Dingdong, Origin Bancorp, and ATRenew—whose current share prices appear significantly disconnected from their estimated intrinsic value, presenting potential opportunities for the discerning investor.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Covenant Logistics Eyes 2026 Turnaround, Citing Early Rate Gains and Strategic Fleet Reshaping

Despite posting a Q4 net loss, Covenant Logistics signals a shift in market dynamics, with executives pointing to rising spot rates, secured contract increases, and a disciplined fleet strategy as precursors to a stronger performance by late 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Blue Chips: Three Small-Cap Stocks Gaining Investor Attention

While major indices hold steady, a search for growth is turning the spotlight onto smaller companies. We examine three small-cap stocks—from insurance to banking to luxury watches—that are posting strong results and navigating unique challenges in the current market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Administration Shifts Course, Scraps Price Guarantees for Critical Minerals Projects

The White House has backed away from plans to set minimum prices for domestic critical minerals projects, telling industry leaders that ventures must stand on their own financially. The policy reversal, driven by funding uncertainties and market concerns, marks a significant shift in strategy for bolstering the U.S. supply chain.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SkyWest Secures Long-Term Deals with Major Carriers, Anchoring E175 Fleet Expansion Through 2028

Regional airline SkyWest, Inc. has locked in multi-year contract extensions with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines for its Embraer E175 aircraft, providing a stable foundation for growth and improved financial visibility. The agreements solidify the company's fleet strategy and partnership with Embraer amid a competitive landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Carnival Stock Surges 9.3% on Record Earnings, Dividend Return, and NYSE Unification Plan

Carnival Corporation & plc sees its shares rally after posting a record $4.5 billion in operating income for fiscal 2025, reinstating a quarterly dividend, and announcing plans to consolidate its dual-listed structure into a single NYSE entity, signaling a renewed focus on shareholder returns and corporate simplicity.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Amneal Pharmaceuticals: A Deep Value Play After Stellar Run?

Amneal Pharmaceuticals' shares have surged over 64% in the past year, prompting investors to question if the rally still has room to run. A closer look at valuation metrics suggests the generic drugmaker may still be trading at a significant discount to its intrinsic value.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Paramount Skydance Bets on Live Sports Ads and Dividends to Steady Its Course

Paramount Skydance is launching a new programmatic advertising platform for live sports on Paramount+ and initiating a quarterly dividend, signaling a strategic shift towards monetizing its existing audience amid ongoing financial pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SSR Mining Shares Retreat from 15-Year High as Gold Prices Cool

Despite a sharp pullback following gold's price dip, analysts remain bullish on SSR Mining, citing strong earnings potential and attractive valuation metrics even after its stellar run.

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

KLA Shares Tumble 11.5% as Supply Chain and Tariff Concerns Overshadow Strong Earnings

Despite posting quarterly results that beat analyst expectations, KLA Corporation's stock plunged Friday as investors focused on management warnings about component shortages, tariff impacts, and operational constraints.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Wholesale Inflation Surges in December, Fueled by Jump in Service Costs

U.S. producer prices rose more than expected in December, driven by the largest increase in service costs in months, complicating the inflation outlook as the Federal Reserve weighs its next policy move.

Jan 30, 2026