The investment giant Vanguard has cut management fees on 53 of its mutual funds and ETFs, a move projected to save investors nearly $250 million in 2026 and marking the latest salvo in an industry-wide race to lower costs for everyday savers.
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) reported a robust fourth quarter, highlighted by a 13% return on equity and strategic advancements in its securitization business. Executives outlined a confident outlook for 2026, emphasizing disciplined risk management and growth in targeted lending segments.
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.
In a major strategic pivot, Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) is shedding its issuer processing business to focus on merchant acquiring, fueled by its planned acquisition of Worldpay. The move aims to reshape its revenue streams and competitive edge in the evolving payments landscape.
The British government's move to retroactively alter leasehold ground rent contracts is undermining a foundational pillar of its investment landscape: trust in the rule of law. This erosion of contractual certainty risks deterring the long-term capital essential for growth, from energy to AI infrastructure.
PGIM India Asset Management, the underperforming local arm of the U.S. financial giant, has drawn acquisition interest from domestic rivals Groww and Edelweiss as its parent considers an exit from the competitive market.
SEI Investments (SEIC) has delivered impressive returns for shareholders over the past five years, but a closer look at its current valuation suggests the stock may have run ahead of its fundamentals. With shares trading near $88, analysis indicates potential overvaluation, prompting investors to weigh future growth against present price.
Despite an 8.3% year-over-year revenue dip, First Merchants Corporation reported resilient fourth-quarter earnings, buoyed by disciplined deposit strategies and robust loan expansion. CEO Mark Hardwick pointed to strong commercial activity as a key driver, even as analysts probe the sustainability of growth and integration challenges ahead.
HSBC Holdings is aggressively rebuilding its investment banking operations in Hong Kong and key Asian hubs, reallocating senior talent and capital to capture growth in IPOs and capital markets, as its strategic focus shifts decisively eastward.
A significant purchase of the Invesco BulletShares 2027 Corporate Bond ETF by BCS Wealth Management highlights a strategic move to build predictable cash flows within a multi-year portfolio, emphasizing capital preservation over speculative yield chasing.
A cluster of insider purchases at Singapore-listed Sing Investments & Finance is drawing investor attention, as executives put their own money behind the company's stock. Analysts view such coordinated buying as a potentially bullish signal, though caution it's just one piece of the investment puzzle.
In a strategic push beyond traditional lending, Ares Management has seized operational control of a multi-club football group and orchestrated a $1.6 billion financing to create a new global personal care platform, Evermark. The moves signal the firm's aggressive expansion into high-profile, control-oriented credit opportunities.
Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) reported strong fourth-quarter results, meeting revenue expectations with a 13.3% year-over-year increase to $4.26 billion. The cruise giant's performance, driven by record passenger volumes and strategic investments, signals robust health in the leisure travel sector.
As earnings season winds down, the waste management sector reveals a tale of resilience and regulatory reckoning. While Enviri's results disappointed, others like Perma-Fix surprised to the upside, highlighting the industry's complex dance between steady demand and economic sensitivity.
Waste Management's fourth-quarter revenue fell short of Wall Street forecasts, yet the company demonstrated robust margin expansion through disciplined cost management and strategic integration of acquisitions, setting a firm foundation for its 2026 outlook.
The global professional services giant reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, with revenue climbing 8.7% to $6.60 billion. Strategic investments in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence are credited for driving growth despite headwinds in insurance pricing.
Waste Management (NYSE:WM) announced a significant 14.5% dividend hike and a new $3 billion share buyback program, signaling confidence in its cash flow strength despite competitive pressures. The move comes as the waste giant continues to invest in renewable natural gas and automation to drive future growth.
The wealth management sector kicks off the year with strategic acquisitions and rebranding moves. Corient expands its Silicon Valley footprint, Carson integrates a long-time partner, and Cetera lures a team from Raymond James, highlighting the ongoing consolidation and competition for advisor talent.
London-based Silphium Asset Management has liquidated its entire $6.2 million position in the Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT), a move that raises questions about institutional appetite for long-duration credit amid shifting economic forecasts.
As 2026 unfolds, the AI investment thesis is maturing beyond initial skepticism, creating opportunities in both leading tech giants and overlooked sectors. We analyze five companies, from semiconductor powerhouses to regional e-commerce leaders, positioned for a pivotal year.
