Grade Inflation

Business

GitLab's AI Ambitions Meet Market Skepticism as Analysts Sound Caution

GitLab's strategic pivot to become an AI-centric development platform is facing heightened scrutiny from Wall Street. Recent analyst downgrades, citing competitive pressures and execution risks, have cast a shadow over the company's transformation efforts, even as its stock struggles to recover from significant declines over the past year.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

NIO Accelerates Global Expansion and Tech Rollout Amidst Domestic Market Pressures

Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO reports a near-doubling of January deliveries year-over-year, surpassing one million cumulative vehicles. The company is pushing into new markets in Europe and Asia while rolling out a major driver-assistance system upgrade to its existing fleet, even as it navigates subsidy reductions and intensifying competition at home.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Minerals 260's Bullabulling Gold Resource Surges to 4.5Moz, Setting Stage for Critical 2026 Milestones

Minerals 260 (ASX:MI6) has significantly upgraded the resource estimate at its Bullabulling gold project to 4.5 million ounces, bolstered by strong drilling results and a solid cash position. The expansion shifts focus to the upcoming pre-feasibility study and execution risks as the company targets key development decisions by 2026.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

O'Donnell Financial Bets $6.8 Million on AAA CLO ETF, Signaling Confidence in Income Strategy

A major stake increase by O'Donnell Financial in the iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) highlights institutional interest in high-grade, actively managed securitized credit as a source of yield in a complex rate environment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Li Auto Navigates Delivery Slump and Strategic Pivot as Investors Question Valuation

Facing an eighth consecutive month of declining deliveries, Li Auto is restructuring its R&D and betting on its upgraded L9 model. Amid a falling share price, analysts debate whether the current valuation presents a buying opportunity or reflects deeper challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Euro's Surge Casts Shadow Over ECB Policy Meeting

The European Central Bank convenes this week with a resurgent euro presenting a fresh dilemma, threatening to dampen inflation and undermine the export engine of the eurozone's largest economies just as recovery gains momentum.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts Bullish on Applied Materials as Chip Spending Surge Lifts Equipment Giant

Driven by a global wave of semiconductor investment, Applied Materials (AMAT) has received a series of analyst upgrades. Mizuho and Deutsche Bank are among those highlighting the company's strategic position to benefit from expansive fab construction in the U.S., Taiwan, and Japan, and its key role in next-generation chip technologies.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Japan's Manufacturing Sector Roars Back: PMI Hits 3.5-Year High on Surging Demand

Japan's manufacturing activity expanded at its fastest pace since mid-2022 in January, a key private survey shows, driven by robust domestic and international orders. While the sector's revival is clear, rising input costs and inflation concerns temper the optimism.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AXIS Capital Holdings Gains Investor Attention Amid Strong Price Momentum and Valuation Debate

AXIS Capital Holdings (AXS) shares have surged 15% over the past year, closing at $103.18 and reigniting discussions about its valuation. Analysts see a potential upside to $121, but the market weighs risks from cyber claims and social inflation.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Analysts Bullish on Applied Materials as AI Spending Fuels Semiconductor Equipment Demand

A wave of analyst upgrades for Applied Materials underscores growing confidence in global semiconductor capital expenditure, driven by the AI infrastructure boom and demand for advanced manufacturing tools. The company's strategic position in wafer fabrication equipment places it at the heart of the industry's next growth phase.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Oil Surge, Adding Pressure to Bitcoin's Struggles

As crude prices spike on Middle East tensions, fears of reignited inflation and subsequent Fed action cast a shadow over risk assets, with Bitcoin failing to capitalize on its perceived 'safe-haven' narrative.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Colgate-Palmolive Caps 2025 with Strong Finish, Braces for Uncertainty as New Strategy Launches

The consumer goods giant reported stronger-than-expected Q4 results, citing growth across key metrics despite inflationary pressures. As it rolls out its ambitious 2030 growth plan, management warns of a volatile global operating environment in the year ahead.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deutsche Bank's Bold Bet: CoreWeave Price Target Soars 40% on Nvidia Partnership and AI Boom

A major analyst upgrade, fueled by Nvidia's deepening investment and strategic alignment, projects significant upside for the AI cloud infrastructure leader CoreWeave, despite recent stock volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Altria's Q4: Revenue Surge Overshadowed by Profit Squeeze as Smokeless Push Accelerates

Altria Group (MO) posted stronger-than-expected Q4 revenue, driven by its core tobacco brands and oral nicotine products, but saw its shares fall as profit margins contracted sharply. The company is betting on a national rollout of its ON! Plus pouches and manufacturing upgrades to fuel its smoke-free future.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fed's Musalem: Rate Cuts Off the Table With Policy at 'Neutral,' Economy on Solid Footing

St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem argues the current interest rate stance is appropriate, signaling a pause in the central bank's easing cycle unless the labor market weakens or inflation drops unexpectedly.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Moonshot AI's Latest Model Claims Edge Over U.S. Rivals as China's Tech Giants Secure Critical Nvidia Chips

Alibaba-backed Moonshot AI has unveiled an upgraded flagship model, Kimi K2.5, asserting superiority in video generation and agentic capabilities against leading U.S. models. The development coincides with Beijing's approval for major tech firms, including Alibaba, to import advanced Nvidia H200 AI chips, signaling a dual-track strategy in the intensifying global AI race.

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

Elevation Capital Makes Strategic $9.8 Million Move Into 'Fallen Angel' Bond ETF

Investment firm Elevation Capital has significantly increased its stake in the VanEck Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF (ANGL), a fund targeting corporate bonds downgraded from investment grade, signaling a strategic bet on higher yields in a shifting credit environment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

ING Groep Raises Income Outlook on Strong Fee Growth, Fuels Investor Debate

ING Groep's latest financial results reveal a strategic pivot gaining traction, with fee income now accounting for a fifth of total revenue. The bank has upgraded its income guidance for 2026 and 2027, alongside a robust shareholder return policy, prompting analysts to reassess its growth narrative in a challenging European banking landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Minerals 260's Valuation in Focus After Bullabulling Gold Resource Boost to 4.5M Ounces

Minerals 260 (ASX:MI6) has significantly upgraded the resource estimate at its flagship Bullabulling gold project to 4.5 million ounces, sparking renewed investor interest. Despite recent share price volatility, the long-term outlook appears buoyed by upcoming study milestones and a substantial intrinsic value gap, raising questions about whether the market is undervaluing its potential.

Jan 30, 2026