NATO Defense Spending

Business

American Express Caps Strong 2025 with Record Revenues, Eyes Sustained Premium Growth in 2026

American Express reported record full-year revenues of $72 billion for 2025, driven by robust card member spending and a strategic shift towards premium products. The company forecasts continued momentum for 2026, targeting 9-10% revenue growth and a significant dividend hike, while navigating a competitive landscape and macroeconomic uncertainties.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bilt's Rewards Overhaul Puts Renters at a Crossroads: To Keep or Cancel the Card?

Bilt's transition to a tiered rewards system forces its user base, largely comprised of renters, to recalculate the card's value. The changes, which require higher spending to unlock points on rent, have sparked confusion and a critical decision ahead of a fast-approaching deadline.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Iran Draws Red Line on Missile Program as Regional Tensions Simmer

Iran's foreign minister has unequivocally declared the nation's missile and defense capabilities non-negotiable, even as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent a military escalation with the United States. The statement comes amid a complex backdrop of regional mediation and internal unrest.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Iran Signals Openness to U.S. Talks, Draws Red Line on Missile Program

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Salesforce Secures Major Army AI Contract, Launches Wildfire Tech Venture in Strategic Pivot

Salesforce expands beyond its CRM roots with a landmark $5.6 billion U.S. Army deal and a new joint venture, EMBERPOINT LLC, aiming to apply its AI and cloud platforms to national defense and wildfire response, signaling a major shift into mission-critical public sector infrastructure.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Mizuho Upgrades Applied Materials to Outperform, Citing Strong Global Chip Equipment Demand

Mizuho Securities raised its rating on Applied Materials (AMAT) to Outperform, with a $370 price target, forecasting accelerated growth in global wafer fab equipment spending driven by major chipmakers' capital expenditure plans.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fate of IRS Agent Rests with Jury as Murder Trial Nears Dramatic Close

Brendan Banfield's murder trial reaches its climax Friday with closing arguments after he testified he shot a man he found stabbing his wife. Prosecutors allege an elaborate murder-for-hire plot, while the defense claims a tragic act of self-defense.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

MarineMax Navigates Choppy Waters: Premium Sales Buoy Q4 Revenue as Margins Face Squeeze

MarineMax's Q4 2025 results surpassed revenue forecasts, driven by robust premium boat sales, but profitability was hampered by industry-wide discounting and cautious consumer spending, leading to a wider-than-expected loss per share.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Rubrik's Stock Slump Sparks Debate: Is the Cybersecurity Firm Now a Value Play?

Shares of data security company Rubrik have faced significant pressure, declining over 25% in the past month. While the sell-off has pushed its valuation below some fair value estimates, analysts point to stiff competition and cautious IT spending as key headwinds. We examine whether the weakness presents a buying opportunity or a sign of deeper challenges.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI Bubble Fears Loom Over 2026 Markets, But This S&P 500 ETF Remains a Bedrock Strategy

As trillion-dollar AI infrastructure spending fuels concerns of a market bubble, long-term investors are questioning whether broad index funds like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF still offer a safe harbor.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Royal Caribbean Soars on Record Earnings, Forecasts Smooth Sailing Ahead

Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) shares surged nearly 19% after posting a 48% jump in annual profit, driven by robust ticket sales and onboard spending. The cruise giant's bullish outlook for 2026 signals continued strong demand in the travel sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

L3Harris Declares "Best Year Ever," Charts Course with Missile Unit IPO and Strategic Portfolio Shift

Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies capped off a record 2025 with surging orders and a strategic pivot, announcing plans to take its high-growth Missile Solutions unit public in 2026 while securing a novel $1 billion investment from the Department of War to accelerate production.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Meta's $135 Billion AI Bet Signals Accelerating Arms Race, With CoreWeave Poised to Capitalize

Meta Platforms' staggering capital expenditure forecast for 2026, heavily weighted toward AI infrastructure, underscores the intensifying tech investment cycle. Specialized cloud provider CoreWeave emerges as a likely key beneficiary, its fortunes tied to the hyperscaler spending spree.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Eagle Materials Navigates Mixed Construction Landscape with Strong Heavy Materials Performance in Q3

Eagle Materials (NYSE: EXP) posted resilient fiscal Q3 2026 results, with revenue reaching $556 million and EPS at $3.22. While wallboard sales softened, robust growth in cement and aggregates, fueled by infrastructure spending, highlights a strategic pivot. The company also outlined operational efficiency drives and a fortified balance sheet.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Carpenter Technology Soars on Aerospace Demand, Posts Record Q2 Profit and Raises Outlook

Driven by surging demand in aerospace and defense, Carpenter Technology (CRS) announced record-breaking quarterly profitability and raised its full-year forecast, citing constrained supply and favorable long-term pricing agreements.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Apple's iPhone Powers Record Revenue Amid Mac, Wearables Slowdown

Apple's latest quarterly earnings reveal a tale of two halves: blockbuster iPhone sales, particularly in emerging markets like India, drove revenue to a new high, while Mac and wearables segments saw notable declines. The tech giant also faces questions over its AI strategy and conservative spending.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Ondas Secures Coveted Pentagon 'Blue List' Approval for Optimus Drone, Fueling Investor Debate on Valuation

Ondas Holdings' flagship Optimus drone system has received the Defense Contract Management Agency's critical 'Blue List' certification, clearing it for broader U.S. defense and national security deployment. The milestone has ignited a surge in the company's stock while prompting analysts to scrutinize its long-term path to converting regulatory approval into sustainable revenue.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Budgeting Blind Spot: How Meticulous Tracking Failed to Fix a $68k Salary's Financial Leak

A detailed four-month audit of every expense left one individual perplexed: despite a solid income and no major debt, their bank account was perpetually near empty. The experience underscores a critical gap between tracking spending and controlling it, a common pitfall in personal finance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

California's Housing Crunch: In Major Metros, Mortgages Now Devour Over Half of Paychecks

A new analysis reveals the stark reality of homeownership in California, where residents in its largest cities are spending a historically high share of income on housing, pushing the dream of owning a home out of reach for many.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

U.S. Bets on Rare Earths Diversity with $1.6 Billion Rival Backing, MP Materials Navigates New Policy Landscape

The U.S. government's $1.6 billion commitment to USA Rare Earth signals a strategic pivot towards fostering competition in the critical minerals sector, reducing price supports and introducing new volatility. As policy shifts, industry leader MP Materials counters with record production and expanded magnet manufacturing, highlighting the intensifying race to secure a domestic supply chain for EVs and defense.

Jan 30, 2026