Influence Peddling

Business

Gen Z's Sobering Reality: Just 4% of U.S. Alcohol Sales in 2025 as Industry Grapples with Shifting Tastes

New market data reveals a stark generational divide in American drinking habits, with Gen Z contributing a mere 4% to total alcohol sales last year. The findings challenge long-held industry assumptions and highlight the enduring spending power of older consumers amid a broader shift toward premiumization and alternative beverages.

Jan 30, 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

QuantumScape Bolsters Board with Semiconductor Finance Expert as Commercialization Push Intensifies

Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape appoints former NVIDIA CFO Geoffrey Ribar to its board, signaling a strategic shift towards manufacturing discipline and capital allocation as it transitions from R&D to pilot production.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Capgemini's ICE Contract Controversy: A Test of Ethics and Investor Confidence

Capgemini faces mounting scrutiny after its U.S. subsidiary signed a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking ethical debates in France and raising questions about governance risks for the IT consulting giant.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SEC Overhauls Accounting Watchdog Leadership, Appoints New PCAOB Chair and Board Members

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed Demetrios Logothetis as the new chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, alongside three new board members, marking a significant leadership shift at the key audit regulator.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Plunge: Gold Tumbles Below $4,900, Silver Crashes 25% in Historic Sell-Off

Gold and silver futures suffered a dramatic reversal Friday, erasing significant gains from a massive rally. The sharp decline coincided with broader market jitters and a key Federal Reserve nomination.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Texas Energy Jobs Bounce Back in December, Fueling State's Record Employment Surge

After a November dip, Texas's upstream oil and gas sector added 2,000 jobs in December, contributing to the state's record-breaking employment figures and underscoring the industry's pivotal role in the Texan economy and tax base.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Analysts Bullish on Datadog's Long-Term Cloud Prospects, Despite Near-Term Headwinds

Wall Street firms are increasingly optimistic about Datadog's (DDOG) trajectory toward 2026, with Stifel upgrading the stock to Buy and highlighting strong Q4 expectations, even as the company navigates sector-wide pricing and competitive pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Minimum: How Your Credit Score Truly Shapes Your First Home Purchase

For aspiring homeowners, a credit score is more than just a gateway to a mortgage—it's a key determinant of long-term affordability. This guide breaks down the nuanced impact of credit on loan options, interest rates, and the strategic moves buyers can make to strengthen their financial position.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Binance Under Fire: Unpacking the Lingering Distrust on Crypto Twitter

Months after the 'Crypto Black Friday' crash, allegations of platform instability and market manipulation continue to dog Binance, sparking fierce debate about trust and power in the digital asset space.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Bullish Calls: One Stock Backed by Fundamentals, Two Facing Skepticism

While Wall Street analysts are overwhelmingly bullish on several stocks, their optimistic price targets often come with a caveat. We examine one company where the enthusiasm appears justified and two where underlying challenges suggest a more cautious approach.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

From Bitcoin to Bullion: Tether Stashes Billions in Gold Inside Swiss Nuclear Bunker

In a striking pivot, crypto giant Tether is now stockpiling over a ton of gold weekly in a fortified Swiss vault—a move echoing crypto's early days but signaling a profound shift towards traditional safe-havens as digital assets falter.

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

EQT Diversifies with Secondaries Push and Critical Minerals Research as Market Questions Valuation

Swedish investment giant EQT is expanding its footprint through a strategic partnership in the private equity secondaries market with Coller Capital, while its foundation launches a science grant program targeting substitutes for critical minerals. The dual moves signal a broader strategy to tap into new fee streams and align with long-term sustainability trends, even as the firm's shares trade at levels some analysts consider undervalued.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Atlassian Faces Dual Threat: Security Breach Fears and AI Rivalry Compound Stock Woes

Atlassian confronts a mounting identity theft campaign targeting its systems while rival Anthropic launches a competing AI collaboration tool, adding pressure to a stock already down over 50% in the past year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Reed Jobs Launches $200M+ Venture Fund Aiming to Turn Cancer into a Manageable Condition

Reed Jobs, son of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has secured over $200 million for Yosemite, a venture fund dedicated to pioneering cancer treatments. Backed by major institutions, the fund seeks to transform cancer from a fatal diagnosis to a chronic, manageable disease within a generation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Wall Street's Bold Bets: One Stock Poised to Shine, Two Facing Headwinds

Analysts have pinned high hopes on several names, but a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture. We examine one company likely to justify the optimism and two where significant risks may be overshadowing the bullish price targets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dredging Deep: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Leads Mixed Bag of Q3 Results for Construction Services Sector

As earnings season winds down, the construction and maintenance services sector showed resilience. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock posted solid results despite a revenue miss, while peers like Primoris soared. We analyze the key drivers and what's next for these industrial players.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

UK Court Greenlights $900 Million Class Action Against Valve, as Epic Games CEO Slams Steam's "30% Junk Fee"

A UK tribunal has allowed a massive lawsuit accusing Valve of anti-competitive practices to proceed, drawing vocal support from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, who calls Steam the last major platform clinging to restrictive payment rules.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Hidden Tax of Sales Tech: Why Feature Adoption Isn't ROI

A new report reveals a staggering 67% of purchased sales software features go unused, spotlighting a critical disconnect between tech spending and revenue impact. As IT budgets swell, C-suite leaders are urged to shift from measuring adoption to calculating true dollar-for-dollar returns.

Jan 30, 2026