National Insurance

Business

Real Matters Posts Strong Q1 Growth, Returns to Profitability in Sluggish Mortgage Market

Real Matters Inc. (TSE: REAL) kicked off its 2026 fiscal year with robust double-digit revenue growth and a return to profitability, defying typical seasonal headwinds. The company's performance was fueled by market share gains, new client launches, and improved operational efficiency across its U.S. and Canadian segments.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Waste Management Posts Record 2025 Results, Fuels Growth Through Efficiency and Sustainability Push

Waste Management capped off a strong 2025 with record cost performance and margin expansion, driven by operational discipline and its growing sustainability portfolio. The company forecasts continued growth for 2026, backed by robust cash flow and ambitious capital return plans.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

A £25m Question: Why Is the UK Government Investing in Octopus's 'Powerhouse' Tech Firm?

The UK government's £25m investment in Octopus Energy's Kraken Technologies through the British Business Bank raises critical questions about the use of taxpayer funds to back an already scaled, global, and recently loss-making platform.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fast-Casual Dining Stocks Stage a Surprising Rebound Amid Shifting Consumer Habits

After a brutal 2025, fast-casual restaurant stocks are rallying sharply in early 2026. Analysts debate whether this marks a genuine recovery or a temporary bounce, as consumers pivot towards grocery and convenience store meals, forcing a reckoning on value and quality.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Unity Integrates Coda for Direct Web Stores, Aiming to Reshape Developer Monetization

Unity Software's new in-app web store integration with Coda could empower developers to bypass traditional marketplace fees, potentially altering the company's revenue streams and addressing its persistent valuation gap amid volatile stock performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa Posts Strong Q1 Results as Consumer Spending Holds Steady, Digital Services Fuel Growth

Visa's fiscal first-quarter earnings surpassed expectations, driven by robust cross-border transactions and a surge in high-margin digital services. The payments giant signals confidence in sustained consumer resilience despite some moderation in U.S. debit volumes.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Stryker Caps Strong 2025 with Record Robotics Growth, Eyes Further Expansion Amid Tariff Headwinds

The medical technology giant reported double-digit organic sales growth and robust profitability for 2025, driven by record installations of its Mako surgical robots. While projecting continued strength for 2026, management acknowledged incremental tariff pressures but expressed confidence in the company's ability to sustain margin expansion.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Freedom Capital Trims Li Auto Target Amid Intensifying China EV Price War

Freedom Capital Markets has lowered its price target for Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) from $34 to $25, citing a mixed quarterly performance and a challenging outlook as China's electric vehicle sector grapples with a fierce price war and softening demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Atour Emerges as a Premium Contender in China's Hotel Wars, Says CLSA

Brokerage firm CLSA initiates coverage on Atour Lifestyle Holdings with an 'Outperform' rating and a $49 price target, highlighting its unique brand ecosystem and asset-light model as key differentiators in a competitive market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Regulatory Headwinds Cloud Outlook for PDD Holdings Amid Broader China Internet Crackdown

While Morgan Stanley maintains an Overweight rating on PDD Holdings, the firm has removed the e-commerce giant from its Top Picks list, citing heightened regulatory scrutiny and a slower-than-expected consumer recovery in China.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

RBC Lifts Price Target on Ascendis Pharma, Backs Growth Trajectory Through 2026

RBC Capital has reaffirmed its confidence in Ascendis Pharma, raising its price target following the company's ambitious 2026 strategic goals, which hinge on sustained momentum for its lead therapy and significant long-term revenue targets.

Jan 30, 2026

World

France Blocks Eutelsat's Ground Antenna Sale, Citing Strategic Sovereignty Concerns

The French government has intervened to stop satellite operator Eutelsat from selling its ground antenna assets, framing the move as a defense of European strategic autonomy against rivals like SpaceX's Starlink.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Landlords' Tax Return Deadline Looms: A Guide to Navigating Reliefs and Avoiding Penalties

With key self-assessment deadlines approaching, property investors must navigate a changed landscape of tax reliefs and allowable expenses to minimise their liabilities. Experts urge early preparation to avoid costly surprises.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Exclusive: China Grants Conditional Nod for DeepSeek to Procure Nvidia's H200 AI Chips

Chinese regulators have conditionally approved leading AI startup DeepSeek to purchase Nvidia's advanced H200 artificial intelligence chips, sources tell Reuters, as Beijing navigates competing pressures to advance its tech sector while managing geopolitical tensions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gold's Meteoric Rise: Safe Haven or Speculative Frenzy?

Gold prices have surged past $5,500, driven by geopolitical tensions and fiscal fears. Yet, analysts caution that its reputation as a stable store of value may be overstated, pointing to inherent volatility and shifting market dynamics.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Insider Bets in a Shaky Market: Three Undervalued European Small-Caps Drawing Executive Confidence

As European indices face headwinds, a select group of small-cap companies are seeing executives put their own money on the line. We examine three firms where insider buying signals conviction amidst broader uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Altria Navigates Smoke-Free Shift Amid Illicit Vape Headwinds, Posts Steady Growth

Altria Group reported adjusted earnings growth and robust shareholder returns for 2025, even as it grapples with a rapidly transforming nicotine market dominated by illicit flavored vapes and intense competition in oral tobacco.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

OSI Systems Beats Expectations, Raises Outlook Despite Sector Headwinds

OSI Systems posts record Q2 revenue and lifts full-year EPS guidance, navigating softness in security bookings and healthcare challenges with optimism for a stronger second half.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Archer Aviation Secures Key European Foothold with Serbia eVTOL Deal Ahead of Expo 2027

Archer Aviation has inked a strategic partnership with Serbia to supply its electric air taxis, positioning the company as the official urban air mobility partner for the 2027 Belgrade Expo. The agreement marks a significant expansion into Europe and includes options for fleet sales and local industrial collaboration.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

KKR's Stock Slump: A Buying Opportunity or a Valuation Trap?

KKR & Co.'s shares have retreated over 10% this year, prompting investors to question if the alternative asset manager's long-term growth story justifies its premium valuation. We analyze key metrics and expert narratives to gauge the stock's true appeal.

Jan 30, 2026