Middle East Politics

Business

Olin's Q4 2025 Earnings Fall Short Amid Operational Woes and Market Slump; Management Outlines Cost-Cutting Path

Chemical and ammunition manufacturer Olin Corporation reported fourth-quarter results that missed internal forecasts, pressured by plant disruptions, supply issues, and a sharp year-end drop in chlorine demand. Executives emphasized cash preservation and cost control while navigating what they term an extended market downturn.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Verizon Soars on Strong Wireless Growth, Unveils $25 Billion Buyback

Verizon shares surged nearly 12% after quarterly results and guidance exceeded expectations, highlighting robust subscriber gains and a massive new share repurchase program aimed at rewarding investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Pony AI's Cost Breakthrough Fuels Optimism for Autonomous Vehicle Rollout in Asia

As Pony AI Inc. slashes hardware costs by 70% and plans a major fleet expansion, investors are weighing its potential as a high-stakes bet on the future of self-driving cars in key Asian markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Frontier: Is Undervalued Telecom Giant VEON Poised for a Digital Breakout?

Amidst a challenging macro landscape, telecom operator VEON Ltd. is posting robust growth in its core frontier markets while aggressively expanding its digital ecosystem. With a valuation significantly below peers, analysts are debating whether the market is overlooking a hidden gem or rightly pricing in geopolitical risks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

MKS Instruments Stock Jumps 9% on Favorable Debt Refinancing Deal

Shares of semiconductor equipment maker MKS Instruments surged this week after the company secured a €1 billion debt offering at a competitive 4.25% interest rate, a move analysts see as a strategic step to strengthen its balance sheet.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Midwest Gas Prices Climb for Second Straight Week, Nearing $2.70 Per Gallon

Drivers across the Midwest are feeling another pinch at the pump as regional gasoline averages rose for a second consecutive week, now sitting just below the national average.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bessent Defends 'Trump Accounts' as 'Rainy Day' Savings, Dismisses Wealth Gap Critics as Major Banks Join Initiative

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent champions the new 'Trump Accounts' as a crucial savings tool for future generations, brushing aside concerns they may exacerbate inequality. The program gains momentum with backing from JPMorgan, Bank of America, and high-profile philanthropists.

Jan 30, 2026

World

From Barcelona to Phoenix: The Global Tourism Boom's Hidden Cost in Neighborhoods and Housing

As global travel surges past pre-pandemic records, the influx of visitors is straining infrastructure and reshaping communities worldwide. From European protests to quiet American suburbs, the quest for authentic experiences is colliding with local life, fueling a housing crisis and raising a critical question: can cities belong to both residents and tourists?

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gold's Glitter Outshines Bitcoin as 'Digital Gold' Thesis Faces Scrutiny

As gold and silver surge to record highs, Bitcoin's recent slump reignites debate over its viability as a modern safe-haven asset, challenging its long-touted 'digital gold' narrative.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Quiet Revolution in RIA Exits: How ESOPs and 1042 Rollovers Are Redefining Succession

Facing a looming wave of retirements, independent advisory firms are increasingly turning to employee ownership and sophisticated tax strategies to secure their futures, offering an alternative to the private equity buyout.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Trump Declares National Emergency Over Cuba, Threatens Tariffs on Oil Suppliers; Strikes New Trade Deal with Guatemala

The Trump administration has escalated pressure on Cuba by declaring a national emergency and threatening punitive tariffs on countries supplying it with oil, while simultaneously finalizing a reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala aimed at bolstering Western Hemisphere supply chains.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Department Stores Reinvent Men's Shopping: Casualwear Dominates as Retailers Bet on Sports and Experiences

A new IADS report reveals how luxury's slowdown and a permanent shift to casual styles are forcing major retailers to pivot. The response: doubling down on athleisure, accessible price points, and in-store experiences to attract customers and sustain growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Chevron Caps 'Year of Execution' with Record Output, Dividend Hike, and Strategic Gains

Chevron reported robust fourth-quarter results, emphasizing record global production, major project startups, and increased shareholder returns. Executives detailed progress in the Permian Basin, Gulf of Mexico, and international ventures while outlining a confident outlook for 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CN Rail Posts Strong 2025 Results but Adopts Cautious Stance for 2026 Amid Trade Uncertainty

Canadian National Railway reported robust fourth-quarter earnings and improved operational efficiency for 2025, yet management offered a more guarded, volume-dependent outlook for the coming year, citing persistent headwinds from tariffs and a volatile trade environment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Renewable Posts Record Year, Sees 'Structural Shift' in Power Markets Fueled by AI and Electrification

Brookfield Renewable (BEPC) reported robust 2025 financial results, deploying a record $8.9 billion in capital. CEO Conor Teskey outlined a pivotal market transition, driven by surging electricity demand from data centers and industrial activity, positioning the company's diversified portfolio of hydro, wind, solar, and storage for accelerated growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Renewable Posts Record Year, Sees 'Material Shift' in Global Power Markets

Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP) reported robust 2025 financial results, highlighted by record deployment and a strategic pivot to capitalize on surging global electricity demand driven by AI and reindustrialization.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Miners Face Perfect Storm: Profits Plunge to 14-Month Low Amid Price Slump and Winter Havoc

A critical measure of Bitcoin mining profitability has collapsed to its lowest level since late 2024, as miners grapple with falling BTC prices and severe operational disruptions from a major U.S. winter storm, according to analytics firm CryptoQuant.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Palantir Earnings Preview: Options Traders Brace for 9%+ Stock Swing

As Palantir Technologies prepares to report Q4 results, options markets signal significant volatility ahead, with the stock's AI-driven rally facing a reality check amid shifting investor focus.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cocoa Market Slump Deepens as Supply Glut Meets Consumer Resistance

Cocoa futures have plunged to multi-year lows, pressured by a global surplus and weakening demand as high chocolate prices curb consumption. Analysts point to favorable harvests in West Africa and falling processing volumes as key factors extending the market's month-long decline.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Hong Kong Fund Takes Major $39 Million Stake in Webull, Betting Big on Fintech Turnaround

Yong Rong (HK) Asset Management has placed a concentrated bet on online brokerage Webull Corporation, making it the fund's largest U.S. equity holding and signaling confidence in the platform's long-term prospects amid a challenging market.

Jan 30, 2026