Global South Strategy

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

Business

Whirlpool Navigates a 'Difficult Year,' Eyes Margin Recovery in 2026

Facing headwinds from tariffs, a soft housing market, and intense promotions, Whirlpool reported flat organic revenue for 2025. Executives outlined a plan to improve margins and cash flow in the coming year, banking on pricing normalization and new product launches.

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

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

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

Business

Trump Poised to Tap Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair, Signaling Hawkish Shift

President Trump is expected to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as Jerome Powell's successor, a move markets interpret as a tilt toward more hawkish monetary policy and an end to months of uncertainty over the central bank's leadership.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Coca-Cola's Enduring Appeal: Why the Beverage Giant Remains a Cornerstone Investment

Amidst market volatility, Coca-Cola (KO) stands out with its formidable brand moat and a 63-year dividend growth streak, offering investors a blend of stability and reliable income.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Corebridge Financial Taps Into Tech and Bitcoin Trends with New Annuity Product, But Is the Stock a Buy?

Corebridge Financial (CRBG) has launched a novel index annuity linked to the Invesco New Economy Index, offering exposure to tech themes and Bitcoin. The move comes as analysts debate whether the company's current share price fully reflects its growth potential amid mixed recent performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Microsoft's AI Bet Pays Off: Q2 Profits Soar 60% to $38.5 Billion as Cloud Demand Accelerates

Microsoft's second-quarter earnings smashed expectations, fueled by a 26% surge in cloud revenue that crossed the $50 billion mark for the first time. The tech giant's aggressive AI investments are now driving significant growth across its enterprise stack.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cardinal Energy Secures CA$95M in Upsized Equity Financing to Fuel Reford 2 Project and Trim Debt

Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX:CJ) has successfully upsized its bought deal financing to CA$95.15 million, capitalizing on robust investor appetite. The proceeds are earmarked to accelerate development of its key Reford 2 thermal oil project and strengthen its balance sheet, even as its valuation metrics present a complex picture for investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

DuPont Unveils AmberLite FPA57 Resin, Targeting Efficiency Gains in Key Industries

DuPont de Nemours launches a new ion exchange resin designed to boost productivity for organic acid producers in food, pharma, and bioplastics, as its stock shows sustained momentum.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Unity Integrates Coda for Direct Web Stores, Aiming to Reshape Developer Monetization

Unity Software's new in-app web store integration with Coda could empower developers to bypass traditional marketplace fees, potentially altering the company's revenue streams and addressing its persistent valuation gap amid volatile stock performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Luster Fades Against Gold, Revisiting 2017 Ratio as Debate Over Digital Haven Intensifies

The Bitcoin-to-gold ratio has slumped close to its 2017 level, fueling a fresh round of scrutiny over the cryptocurrency's viability as a long-term store of value amidst a resurgent precious metals market and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa Posts Strong Q1 Results as Consumer Spending Holds Steady, Digital Services Fuel Growth

Visa's fiscal first-quarter earnings surpassed expectations, driven by robust cross-border transactions and a surge in high-margin digital services. The payments giant signals confidence in sustained consumer resilience despite some moderation in U.S. debit volumes.

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

Schneider National Navigates Tough Q4 as Freight Demand Falters, Eyes Supply-Driven Recovery

Schneider National's Q4 2025 earnings fell short of expectations, pressured by a sharp late-year drop in freight demand and severe weather. While acknowledging near-term challenges, executives pointed to early signs of market normalization and detailed strategic cost actions aimed at positioning the carrier for an eventual upcycle.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Sherwin-Williams Navigates 'Softer for Longer' Market to Post Strong Q4, Eyes Modest 2026 Growth

Despite a persistently muted demand environment, Sherwin-Williams reported robust fourth-quarter earnings, driven by cost discipline and strategic acquisitions. The paint giant forecasts low-to-mid single-digit sales growth for 2026 while reinstating employee benefits, signaling cautious optimism amid ongoing economic headwinds.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Freedom Capital Trims Li Auto Target Amid Intensifying China EV Price War

Freedom Capital Markets has lowered its price target for Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) from $34 to $25, citing a mixed quarterly performance and a challenging outlook as China's electric vehicle sector grapples with a fierce price war and softening demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BofA Doubles Down on Hesai Group, Boosts Price Target on Lidar Leadership and Regulatory Tailwinds

Bank of America Securities has reaffirmed its Buy rating on Hesai Group (HSAI), raising its price target to $32, citing the lidar maker's technological milestones, strategic partnership with NVIDIA, and favorable regulatory developments for autonomous driving.

Jan 30, 2026