Made in USA

Business

Chicago's Metropolitan Capital Bank Fails, Marking Second Consecutive Year of Early U.S. Banking Collapse

For the second year running, a Chicago financial institution has become the nation's first bank failure. Regulators shuttered Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust on Friday, citing unsafe practices and depleted capital. The FDIC facilitated a swift takeover by Detroit's First Independence Bank, ensuring depositors are protected.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Microsoft's $750M Perplexity Deal Highlights Azure's AI Ambitions Amid Investor Jitters

Microsoft secures a major cloud agreement with AI search firm Perplexity, even as its stock faces pressure following a post-earnings selloff. The deal underscores Azure's growing appeal to AI startups, but questions linger over the tech giant's capacity constraints and investment priorities.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Super Bowl Ad Prices Soar to Record $10 Million, Testing the Limits of Marketing Budgets

As the Super Bowl approaches, the cost of a 30-second commercial spot has reached an unprecedented $10 million, driven by intense demand and bundled packages with the Olympics. Major brands are betting big with celebrity-studded campaigns, but analysts question the long-term value of such staggering investments.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Political Strategist James Carville Picks His Early Favorite for 2028 Democratic Nomination

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has named Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as his top potential contender for the party's 2028 presidential ticket, citing fundraising prowess and grassroots appeal.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Bet Sinks Underwater, Raising Questions on Funding Strategy

MicroStrategy's massive Bitcoin holdings have fallen below their average purchase price, resulting in over $900 million in paper losses. This development intensifies scrutiny on the company's reliance on equity markets to fund its crypto acquisitions as financial conditions tighten.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nutanix Shares Slide as Analysts Flag Growth Concerns, Clouding Near-Term Outlook

Nutanix (NTNX) shares fell sharply this week following downgrades from Barclays and Morgan Stanley, which pointed to slowing growth and reduced visibility. While analysts maintain a long-term view on the hybrid cloud software firm, the near-term path appears more turbulent as investors reassess risks.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Arista Networks: AI Infrastructure Bet Delivers Stellar Returns, But Valuation Questions Loom

Giverny Capital hails Arista Networks as its top performer since inception, crediting its pivotal role in AI data center and cloud networking. As demand for AI capacity soars, Arista's strategic position with hyperscale clients fuels both impressive gains and a heated debate on whether its stock price has run too far, too fast.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Starbucks Trims Menu by 25%, Axing 13 Drinks in Efficiency Push

Starbucks accelerates its 'Back to Starbucks' turnaround plan by removing 13 underperforming and complex drinks from its permanent menu, a move aimed at streamlining operations and reducing waste, despite risking the ire of loyal fans of discontinued items.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Starbucks Faces Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Alleged Safety Cover-Up and Retaliatory Firing

A former Starbucks executive alleges in a lawsuit that she was terminated after reporting maggot infestations and fire risks in new equipment, and refusing to falsify safety data.

Feb 2, 2026

World

U.S. and India Forge Trade Truce, Slashing Tariffs in Deal Tied to Energy and Ukraine

The United States and India have announced a significant trade agreement, dramatically reducing tariffs after months of tension. The deal, linked to India halting Russian oil purchases, aims to boost bilateral trade and supply chain diversification.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Florida Tops U.S. in Home Foreclosures as Rates Surge Nationwide

A new report reveals a sharp 14% annual increase in U.S. foreclosure filings, with Florida experiencing the highest rate in the nation. Analysts point to post-pandemic affordability pressures, rising insurance costs, and economic strain as key drivers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Leaked Emails Reveal Former Windows Chief Sought Epstein's Counsel During Surface RT Crisis

Newly unsealed court documents show Steven Sinofsky, former head of Windows, shared confidential Microsoft strategy emails and sought personal advice from Jeffrey Epstein amid the failing launch of Surface RT in 2012.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Flight Attendant Seeks $30 Million from Airbus Over Toxic Fume Exposure, Citing Lasting Health Damage

A former American Airlines crew member has filed a high-stakes lawsuit against Airbus, alleging that exposure to contaminated cabin air during a ground incident left her with debilitating neurological symptoms and unable to work, echoing broader industry concerns.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Beaver Nuggets: Inside Buc-ee's High-Wage Strategy and Its Workforce Impact

The Texas-born travel center giant Buc-ee's is renowned for massive stores and spotless restrooms. But its most disruptive industry practice might be its pay scale, which far exceeds typical convenience store wages and fuels intense competition for jobs.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Opera Stock Surges as MiniPay Wallet Embraces Tether's USDT, Signaling Deeper Crypto Push

Opera's shares soared nearly 18% after the browser company integrated Tether's dominant USDT stablecoin into its MiniPay wallet, highlighting investor optimism around its Web3 strategy despite unanswered questions on long-term monetization.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AI Model Projects Cloudflare Stock Could See Near-Term Pullback, Despite Long-Term Edge Computing Optimism

An AI-driven analysis suggests Cloudflare (NET) shares may face headwinds over the next two months, projecting an average price near $168. The forecast contrasts with bullish long-term analyst views, highlighting the tension between immediate technical signals and the company's strategic positioning in edge security and AI infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From Oil to Minerals: U.S. Revives Cold War-Era Stockpile Strategy for Critical Resources

The Trump administration is launching a strategic reserve for rare earths and critical minerals, echoing the 1970s response to the oil crisis, as global competition for tech supply chains intensifies.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The 'Peanut Butter' Pay Revolution: Why Companies Are Spreading Raises Evenly in 2026

Nearly half of U.S. employers are shifting from merit-based raises to flat, across-the-board pay increases—a move that could provide crucial relief for lower-wage workers amid economic uncertainty.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Energy Sector Outperforms: Two Dividend Powerhouses for Steady Income in 2026

As the energy sector leads the market in early 2026, ConocoPhillips and Kinder Morgan emerge as compelling picks for investors seeking reliable, growing dividends backed by strong fundamentals and strategic positioning.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AI Boom Ignites Memory Chip 'Supercycle', Sending Storage Stocks Soaring

A severe, AI-driven shortage of memory chips is creating a windfall for storage manufacturers, with analysts predicting a multi-year upcycle as data center demand overwhelms supply.

Feb 2, 2026