Lower Atlantic

Business

Lockheed Martin Posts Record Backlog, Unveils Major Investment Push Amid Global Defense Demand Surge

Lockheed Martin capped a year of robust sales growth with a historic $194 billion order backlog, driven by soaring demand for its advanced defense systems. The aerospace giant announced plans for a significant 'step function' increase in capital investment for 2026 to ramp up production of missiles and next-generation capabilities.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Southwest Airlines Charts Aggressive Course After 'Year of Transformation,' Forecasts Earnings Surge in 2026

Southwest Airlines capped off 2025 with record revenue and improved operations, positioning the carrier for what executives project will be a dramatic earnings acceleration next year, driven by new initiatives like assigned seating and a refined loyalty program.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

International Paper Unveils Major Split: To Form Two Regional Packaging Giants

In a strategic overhaul, International Paper announced plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies focused on North America and EMEA markets, marking the next phase of its multi-year transformation.

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

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

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

World

Panama's Top Court Strikes Down CK Hutchison Port Deals, Casting Uncertainty Over Canal Terminals

Panama's Supreme Court has nullified long-held port contracts operated by a CK Hutchison subsidiary, declaring them unconstitutional. The landmark ruling throws the future of key container terminals at both ends of the Panama Canal into doubt and reverberates amid broader geopolitical tensions over global trade chokepoints.

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

Asian Markets Retreat as Wall Street's Wild Ride Casts a Shadow

Asian equities broadly declined on Friday, taking cues from a volatile U.S. session marked by a historic plunge in Microsoft shares. The sell-off extended to commodities, with oil and precious metals also losing ground.

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

Deckers Outdoor Soars on HOKA Momentum, UGG Resilience; Raises Full-Year Outlook

Fueled by record-breaking demand for its HOKA and UGG brands, Deckers Outdoor posts a robust Q3, beating expectations. The company credits disciplined full-price selling and strategic marketplace management for driving growth across all regions, leading to an upward revision of its fiscal 2026 guidance.

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

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

Elevra Lithium Posts Record North American Results While Navigating Short-Term Headwinds

Elevra Lithium reports record quarterly revenue from its flagship North American operation but tempers near-term production guidance, highlighting the complex balancing act facing lithium miners as they expand amid market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Everest Group Shares: A Deep Value Play or Priced for Perfection?

Despite a recent pullback, Everest Group's stock appears significantly undervalued based on one fundamental model, yet its premium P/E ratio tells a more nuanced story. We break down the conflicting signals for the insurance giant.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CBIZ Stock Plummets 55% in a Year: Value Trap or Buying Opportunity?

CBIZ shares have nosedived over 55% in the past 12 months, starkly contrasting its five-year gain. As the business services sector faces headwinds, investors are split on whether the steep decline signals a deep value play or a fundamental deterioration.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions, Opens Door for American Firms to Revive Crude Sector

The Trump administration has issued a broad license allowing U.S. entities to engage in key oil activities in Venezuela, a major sanctions relief step aimed at jumpstarting the nation's crippled energy industry under its new U.S.-backed leadership.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

California's Housing Crunch: In Major Metros, Mortgages Now Devour Over Half of Paychecks

A new analysis reveals the stark reality of homeownership in California, where residents in its largest cities are spending a historically high share of income on housing, pushing the dream of owning a home out of reach for many.

Jan 30, 2026