First Bank Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Russellville-based First State Bank, a strategic move set to deepen the holding company's roots in the Arkansas River Valley region while preserving the community bank's local identity.
As speculation intensifies over a potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix, short sellers are rapidly retreating from the stock, signaling market confidence in both the deal's completion and regulatory approval.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking from Istanbul, stated Iran's conditional willingness to engage in "fair and just" nuclear diplomacy with the United States, while firmly rejecting negotiations on its missile program and any external "dictation." The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed U.S. military threats.
Iran's foreign minister stated readiness for 'fair' negotiations with Washington but firmly ruled out discussing its defense capabilities, as regional powers intensify diplomacy to avert a military confrontation.
Amazon is reportedly negotiating a landmark investment of up to $50 billion in OpenAI, a move that would reshape the AI landscape and intensify its cloud rivalry with Microsoft and Google. The potential deal highlights the soaring costs of competing in generative AI and could redefine Amazon Web Services' strategy.
Colony Bankcorp (CBAN) reported improved operating performance in Q4 2025, with executives detailing on-track integration of TC Federal and momentum in fee-based businesses. The bank targets a 1.20% return on assets for 2026 and signals appetite for further acquisitions.
Hardman Johnston Global Advisors has sold its entire stake in Corteva Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) following management discussions about potentially splitting the company's Seeds and Crop Protection units. The move highlights growing investor unease over strategic direction, liability concerns, and the unclear path to value creation, casting a shadow over the agricultural giant's recent strong performance.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy notes a 24-hour pause in targeted Russian strikes on energy grids, yet civilian casualties mount in frontline regions. The reported lull follows a disputed, short-term truce brokered by the U.S., as both sides prepare for talks in Abu Dhabi.
Fueled by a wave of blockbuster transactions and renewed executive optimism, the global mergers and acquisitions landscape is heating up for a robust 2026. Major consulting firms report a significant shift in sentiment, with U.S. CEOs leading the charge in pursuing strategic deals despite lingering market uncertainties.
As Smurfit Westrock navigates the complex post-merger landscape, its share price tells a conflicted story. While recent gains hint at optimism, a deeper look reveals a stock trading at a significant discount to some intrinsic value models, even as its P/E ratio suggests a premium. The market appears to be weighing integration execution risks against long-term synergy potential.
Insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher raises its quarterly dividend, rewarding shareholders even as it continues to pursue an active mergers and acquisitions pipeline, signaling confidence in its dual strategy of capital returns and growth.
Guggenheim Securities has initiated coverage of clinical-stage biopharma AtaiBeckley with a Buy rating and an $11 price target, highlighting its leadership in next-generation psychiatric treatments following its merger with Beckley Psytech.
Paramount Skydance has appointed seasoned Capitol Hill and private sector strategist Ted Lehman as its top U.S. policy executive, a move signaling an intensified government relations focus as the media giant navigates a complex merger landscape and regulatory battles.
Analysts at Piper Sandler have slightly lowered their price target for Expand Energy (EXE), the natural gas giant formed from a recent mega-merger, reflecting near-term pressures but maintaining a bullish long-term outlook for the sector.
Stockholders of CSG Systems International have overwhelmingly approved a slate of key proposals, including governance changes and merger-related actions, during a recent virtual Extraordinary General Meeting. The approvals pave the way for the company's next phase of strategic growth.
In a significant diplomatic gesture, China has agreed to remove travel restrictions on a group of sanctioned British lawmakers, Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed following talks with President Xi Jinping. The move comes during the first UK leader's visit to China in eight years, aimed at thawing bilateral relations.
Goldman Sachs raises its price target for Zeta Global (ZETA), citing strategic positioning ahead of an expected surge in software sector mergers and acquisitions driven by valuation gaps and synergy potential.
Analyst Jason Seidl lowered CP's target to C$112 from C$116, citing reasonable valuation post-KCS merger but noting headwinds from negative estimate revisions and investor capital flowing toward U.S. rail M&A opportunities.
Lawmakers are negotiating a short-term deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, aiming to avoid a partial government shutdown this weekend. The talks occur against the backdrop of heightened political pressure following recent violence in Minneapolis and a shift in the administration's enforcement rhetoric.
Origin Bancorp (OBK) executives detailed strong profitability gains and a strategic hiring push, positioning the bank to capitalize on merger-driven market shifts and surpass $10 billion in assets.
