Grade Inflation

Business

Kirby Caps Record 2025 with Strong Momentum, Eyes Steady Growth Amid Market Headwinds

Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX) reported record annual earnings for 2025, fueled by robust free cash flow and strategic capital returns. While Q4 faced seasonal pressures, management highlighted a late-quarter rebound in inland marine and surging demand in power generation, setting the stage for what they project as a year of steady financial performance in 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Small-Caps Defying Geopolitical Turbulence

As regional tensions weigh on major Gulf indices, a closer look reveals resilient investment opportunities among smaller, financially sound companies. From energy giants to niche manufacturers, these picks highlight value where many fear to tread.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Applied Optoelectronics Shares Tumble 12.5% as Investors Cash In on Eight-Year High

Shares of Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) retreated sharply Thursday, shedding 12.5% as a wave of profit-taking followed the stock's surge to its highest level in nearly eight years. The pullback comes despite analyst optimism around the company's role in powering AI data centers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Hycroft Mining Shares Tumble Over 11% as Precious Metals Retreat from Peaks

Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (HYMC) fell sharply for a second consecutive session, mirroring a pullback in gold and silver prices after their record-breaking rallies. The decline highlights the stock's sensitivity to commodity price swings despite recent positive operational updates.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Group 1 Automotive Posts Record 2025 Revenue, Navigates Market Shifts with Portfolio Reshaping and Shareholder Returns

Group 1 Automotive capped off 2025 with record revenue and profits, driven by robust aftersales and F&I performance. While navigating affordability concerns and a challenging UK market, the company aggressively reshaped its dealership portfolio and returned significant capital to shareholders through buybacks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Equity Lifestyle Properties Posts Steady 2025 Growth, Eyes Continued Expansion in 2026 Amid RV Segment Volatility

Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) reported solid 2025 results with NOI and FFO growth, driven by its core manufactured housing communities. While forecasting further growth for 2026, management acknowledged ongoing fluctuations in its seasonal RV business and provided detailed guidance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gold's Historic Surge Prompts Warning of 'Historic Bear Market' in Stocks, Schiff Says

As gold spot prices post their largest single-day dollar gain on record, economist Peter Schiff warns that U.S. equities are in a deep, prolonged bear market when measured against the precious metal, highlighting a stark divergence in asset performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Tech Jitters, Gold Retreat Rattle Asian Markets as Geopolitical Tensions Simmer

Asian equities faced broad declines Friday, pressured by renewed investor skepticism over the AI investment boom and a sharp pullback in precious metals. The sell-off unfolded against a backdrop of easing oil prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainties.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cardinal Energy's C$95M Equity Raise Fuels Thermal Ambitions, Tests Investor Patience

Cardinal Energy Ltd. has upsized its equity offering to C$95.15 million, with proceeds aimed at debt repayment and accelerating its thermal oil projects, including the Reford 2 SAGD development. The move highlights the company's strategic pivot but raises questions about dividend sustainability and shareholder dilution in a capital-intensive sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oregon Sees Dip in Weekly Jobless Claims Amid Mixed National Picture

Initial unemployment filings in Oregon fell last week, reflecting a slight easing in layoffs, while national figures held steady and other states experienced sharp swings.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Markets on Edge: Bitcoin Plunges 7%, Stocks Mixed as Trump Teases Fed Pick and Shutdown Deal

Asian markets opened to a volatile session Friday, with Bitcoin leading a sharp crypto sell-off and stocks swinging as traders weighed President Trump's signals on a key Fed nomination and a deal to avert a government shutdown.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Carpenter Technology Soars on Aerospace Demand, Posts Record Q2 Profit and Raises Outlook

Driven by surging demand in aerospace and defense, Carpenter Technology (CRS) announced record-breaking quarterly profitability and raised its full-year forecast, citing constrained supply and favorable long-term pricing agreements.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Celestica Soars on AI Demand, Unveils Aggressive $1B Capex Plan for Hyperscale Growth

Celestica's Q4 2025 results shattered guidance, fueled by its Connectivity & Cloud unit. The company announces a massive capital expenditure surge to over $1 billion in 2026, betting big on sustained demand from hyperscalers for AI and networking infrastructure.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name Kevin Warsh as Next Federal Reserve Chair, Sources Say

President Trump is preparing to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank, according to people familiar with the discussions, a move that triggered immediate market reactions as investors assessed the potential policy shift.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The $2 Million Question: Can a 50-Year-Old Renter Afford to Retire in Today's Economy?

Amid corporate restructuring fears, a professional with a substantial nest egg but no home equity grapples with the daunting math of early retirement, soaring healthcare costs, and an uncertain housing market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Golden Burden: Soaring Prices Crush Borrowers, Enrich Savers in Vietnam

As global gold prices hit historic highs, Vietnam's deep-rooted culture of gold ownership is creating starkly divided fortunes, turning traditional family loans into crushing debts while minting paper billionaires among long-term holders.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair, Setting Stage for Monetary Policy Shift

President Trump is expected to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair, a move that could signal a pivot toward aggressive rate cuts paired with a reduction of the central bank's balance sheet, reshaping the landscape for markets and cryptocurrencies.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Surge Sparks Rush to Buy, Sell, and Hunt for Hidden Treasure

As gold breaches $5,000 an ounce and silver soars past $120, a trading frenzy grips markets and sends individuals rummaging through attics for forgotten valuables.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Infrastructure Posts Record Year, Boosts Payout as AI Demand Fuels Data Center Boom

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners capped a strong 2025 with double-digit FFO growth, a record capital recycling program, and a raised distribution. Management highlighted a massive, disciplined expansion in data infrastructure to meet AI-driven demand, forecasting a return to 10%+ growth targets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Powell's Parting Counsel: In Final Stretch, Fed Chair Urges Successor to Steer Clear of Politics

With his term winding down, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell offered rare, pointed advice to his eventual successor during a recent press conference, emphasizing the imperative of maintaining the central bank's independence from political influence.

Jan 30, 2026