Independent Reserve

Business

Mastercard Caps Off 'Very Strong' 2025, Eyes Growth in Services and New Tech for 2026

Mastercard reported robust Q4 and full-year 2025 results, driven by double-digit revenue growth and surging value-added services. Executives expressed confidence for 2026, highlighting strategic wins, investments in digital assets like stablecoins, and a focus on 'agentic commerce,' even as they plan a restructuring affecting 4% of staff.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Liberty Energy Navigates Market Turbulence, Bets Big on Power Infrastructure Expansion

Despite a challenging year marked by oil price volatility and softer demand for completion services, Liberty Energy (LBRT) closed 2025 with a resilient Q4 performance. The company is aggressively scaling its distributed power solutions business, targeting 3 GW of projects by 2029, even as it manages pricing pressures in its core fracking operations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Lazard Posts Record Advisory Revenue in 2025, Citing Strategic Gains and Asset Management Turnaround

Lazard Ltd. reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, driven by record financial advisory fees and a rebound in assets under management. Executives framed the performance as validation of the firm's long-term 'Lazard 2030' strategy, highlighting talent investments and a robust pipeline for future growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookdale Senior Living Stock Surges to 8-Year Peak After Analyst Upgrade, Strong Outlook

Shares of Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) rallied sharply, reaching their highest level since 2016, fueled by a significant price target increase from RBC Capital and optimistic preliminary earnings guidance for 2025.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Surges 10% as Industry Optimism Rises

Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) soared over 10% Thursday, buoyed by robust industry-wide demand and positive spillover from a rival's record earnings, signaling a potential turnaround for the cruise sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Blackstone Explores Sale of Interplex's ICT Unit in Potential $1 Billion-Plus Deal

Blackstone Inc. is weighing a sale of Interplex's information and communications technology business, with early-stage talks suggesting a valuation exceeding $1 billion, sources familiar with the matter said.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Allegro MicroSystems Soars to Two-Year High on Strong Quarterly Turnaround and Upbeat Guidance

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGM) surged nearly 10% to a two-year peak after reporting a profitable third quarter and raising its sales forecast, fueled by robust demand in automotive and industrial sectors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Carnival Corp Shares Surge 8.6% on Strong Industry Tailwinds and Corporate Restructuring Plan

Carnival Corporation & PLC saw its stock price climb sharply Thursday, buoyed by robust earnings from rival Royal Caribbean and the company's own announcement of a planned corporate unification and dividend payment.

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

Thai Beverage's Five-Year Slump: Shareholders Grapple with 29% Loss Amid Market Outperformance

Despite modest earnings growth, Thai Beverage (SGX:Y92) has seen its share price tumble 40% over five years, leaving long-term investors with a significant total return deficit. We examine the disconnect between fundamentals and market sentiment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SAP Shares Hit 52-Week Low as AI Disruption Fears Rattle Software Sector

SAP SE's stock plunged to a yearly low following a cautious sector outlook from JPMorgan, which highlighted AI's potential to disrupt traditional SaaS business models, despite the company reporting robust annual earnings.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Vizsla Silver Shares Plunge 14.9% Following Abduction of 10 Employees in Mexico

Vizsla Silver Corp. (VZLA) shares tumbled sharply Thursday after reports that 10 of its employees were abducted from company housing in Mexico, forcing a temporary halt to operations and rattling investor confidence amid broader weakness in silver prices.

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

Dolby Laboratories Surpasses Expectations in Q1 2026, Driven by Automotive and Streaming Growth

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) kicked off fiscal 2026 with robust first-quarter results, exceeding its own revenue and earnings forecasts. The audio-visual technology leader credits strong deal timing and highlighted significant momentum in automotive, television, and mobile partnerships, including expanded ties with Qualcomm and major social media platforms.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Hexcel Eyes Sustained Aerospace Rebound After Challenging 2025, Outlines Growth Plan

Following a year hampered by supply chain issues and inventory adjustments, advanced materials maker Hexcel signals a turning point, forecasting stronger sales and profitability in 2026 as commercial aircraft production is poised for a multi-year upswing.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Eagle Materials Navigates Mixed Construction Landscape with Strong Heavy Materials Performance in Q3

Eagle Materials (NYSE: EXP) posted resilient fiscal Q3 2026 results, with revenue reaching $556 million and EPS at $3.22. While wallboard sales softened, robust growth in cement and aggregates, fueled by infrastructure spending, highlights a strategic pivot. The company also outlined operational efficiency drives and a fortified balance sheet.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Five Point Holdings Caps 'Record Year' Amid Housing Headwinds, Eyes Growth Through Land Banking and Entitlements

Despite a challenging housing market, Five Point Holdings (NYSE:FPH) reported record annual net income for 2025, driven by strategic land sales and the integration of its Hearthstone platform. The company navigated economic uncertainty with disciplined pricing and secured major entitlement approvals to fuel its long-term pipeline.

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

AI Anxiety Triggers Selloff: ServiceNow Shares Plunge Nearly 10% Amid Broader SaaS Sector Jitters

Despite posting strong quarterly earnings, ServiceNow (NOW) tumbled for a third consecutive session as investor focus shifts to the long-term disruptive potential of AI on the traditional SaaS subscription model.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Equities Defying Geopolitical Gloom

While regional tensions weigh on Gulf bourses, a closer look reveals resilient companies with strong fundamentals poised for growth. We analyze three under-the-radar stocks from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel that are navigating the volatility.

Jan 30, 2026