Investment Alternatives

Business

CN's Investor Relations Chief Stacy Alderson to Retire After Three Decades; Jamie Lockwood Named Successor

Canadian National Railway announced the retirement of veteran investor relations executive Stacy Alderson, capping a 30-year career. Vice President of Engineering Jamie Lockwood will assume the expanded role of VP, Investor Relations and Special Projects, as the railway giant navigates a strategic transition.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Independent Bank Boosts Dividend to $0.28, Signaling Financial Strength and Shareholder Commitment

Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) announces a dividend increase to $0.28 per share, continuing its decade-long track record of shareholder returns. Analysts highlight the payout's sustainability amid solid earnings growth projections.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Exelon Stock: A Cautious Bet as Analysts Weigh Steady Earnings Against Growth Concerns

While Exelon's recent earnings beat expectations, the utility giant continues to face investor skepticism over its long-term growth trajectory. Wall Street maintains a guarded optimism, but the stock's performance tells a more nuanced story.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Panama Canal Ports Shift to Maersk After Court Annuls Chinese-Linked Firm's Concession

Panama's Supreme Court has annulled the long-term concession of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate key ports at the Panama Canal, appointing Denmark's Maersk as temporary administrator. The move follows geopolitical tensions and allegations of unpaid fees.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Amazon Quietly Courts Shippers for New LTL Service, Morgan Stanley Report Reveals

A new Morgan Stanley report indicates Amazon is in early discussions with select shippers about its planned Less-Than-Truckload service, set to launch this summer, posing a potential long-term challenge to established carriers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Robert Half Stock Soars 26% as Recruitment Giant Signals Long-Awaited Turnaround

Shares of the staffing leader surged after its Q4 earnings hinted at a potential end to a multi-year slump, with management pointing to positive sequential growth for the first time since 2021.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates 'Deepest Downturn' with Cost Cuts and Strategic Shifts Amid Trade Volatility

Facing what CEO Peter Vanacker calls the 'deepest and longest downturn' of his career, LyondellBasell reported Q1 2025 results while detailing a new $500 million cash improvement plan. The chemical giant is leaning into portfolio restructuring and its global supply network to weather trade policy uncertainty and weak demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for Top Central Bank Job

President Trump nominates Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor with Wall Street ties, to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair. His confirmation faces scrutiny amid questions over monetary policy direction and the central bank's political independence.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates Prolonged Downturn with Strategic Cash Preservation and Portfolio Reshaping

Facing one of the longest downturns in industry history, LyondellBasell reported Q2 2025 earnings of $0.62 per share, outlining a disciplined strategy focused on cash conservation, portfolio optimization in Europe, and a pivot towards circular and low-carbon solutions to emerge stronger from the cycle.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oil Giants Exxon, Chevron Post Lower Annual Profits Amid Price Slump, Pivot to New Ventures

Exxon Mobil and Chevron reported declines in full-year earnings as a sustained oil surplus pressured prices, though both companies highlighted strategic shifts toward LNG, chemicals, and power projects to fuel future growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Crossroads: Navigating the Sub-$90,000 Waters as Bulls and Bears Clash

With Bitcoin consolidating below $90,000, a significant retreat from its October highs, investors are weighing whether this is a strategic entry point or a warning sign. We examine the competing narratives shaping the market's next move.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Wholesale Price Surge Signals Persistent Inflation Pressure, Squeezing Businesses and Consumers Alike

An unexpected jump in the Producer Price Index for December underscores the stubborn nature of inflation, with rising wholesale costs threatening to ripple through the economy and sustain higher prices for households.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Rivian's Rocky Road: Can the EV Underdog Deliver a Turnaround by 2029?

From post-IPO darling to a stock trading near historic lows, Rivian faces a critical five-year window. With new models on the horizon and a major Volkswagen partnership, analysts see a path to growth—if it can navigate fierce competition and persistent losses.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Morgan Stanley Doubles Down on Nvidia: $250 Target Signals 30% Upside Amid AI Arms Race

Morgan Stanley reaffirms its Overweight rating on Nvidia with a $250 price target, citing the company's systemic advantage through its Vera Rubin platform and robust hyperscaler spending, despite acknowledging competitive and demand risks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Debt Trap: How Millions of Americans Fall into Negative Net Worth and Strategies to Stay Afloat

While retirement planning often focuses on savings, a critical financial metric—net worth—reveals a more precarious reality for many households. We examine the causes and consequences of negative net worth, offering actionable steps to build a stronger financial foundation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

7 Brew Launches Monthly Featured Drinks Program to Deepen Customer Loyalty

The drive-thru coffee chain 7 Brew debuts a monthly rotating menu of featured beverages, starting with five options for February including a new Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cold Brew, as it leverages its strong rewards membership to boost visit frequency.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Musk's Master Plan? SpaceX Weighs Pre-IPO Merger with Tesla or xAI in Historic $1.5 Trillion Move

As SpaceX targets a record-shattering IPO for mid-2026, reports indicate Elon Musk is exploring a potential merger with either Tesla or his AI startup, xAI. The move could create a unified tech and industrial behemoth but faces significant regulatory and operational hurdles.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Eli Lilly Bets $3.5 Billion on Pennsylvania as Pharma Giants Shift Production Stateside

Eli Lilly announces a massive new manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, part of a strategic pivot by major drugmakers to onshore production amid trade tensions and soaring demand for weight-loss drugs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fed Contender Kevin Warsh: From 'Coolest Software' Skeptic to Digital Dollar Advocate

The potential nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh has sent ripples through financial markets, spotlighting his complex history with cryptocurrency—from early-stage investor to critic of Bitcoin as money, and now a proponent of a U.S. digital dollar.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BlackRock's Strategic Bet: Why the World's Largest Asset Manager Is Doubling Down on Sibanye-Stillwater

BlackRock has increased its stake in the diversified precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater beyond 5%, signaling strong institutional confidence amid a historic rally in gold and platinum group metals. We examine the drivers behind the surge and what it means for investors.

Jan 30, 2026