African tech startups secured a record $1.64 billion in debt financing last year, a pivotal shift as mature firms seek alternative capital to fuel growth while retaining ownership, according to a new industry report.
With major indices treading water after the Fed's steady rates, savvy investors are turning to overlooked small-cap stocks where insider buying signals conviction. We examine three companies where executives are backing their firms with their own capital.
The German sportswear giant reports preliminary figures showing robust growth for the Adidas brand, driven by double-digit expansion across all regions, and unveils a major capital return program to shareholders.
The drilling services firm Foraco International (TSE:FAR) is demonstrating a powerful trend of improving capital efficiency, with its Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) jumping 53% over five years. This signals a company that's generating significantly more profit from each dollar invested, a key marker often sought by long-term investors.
BEN finalizes a landmark AI licensing framework for Africa and a university wellbeing pilot while bolstering its balance sheet through capital raises and debt conversion, prompting analysts to question if execution is now the priority.
Axos Financial's recent acquisition of Verdant Commercial Capital and its deepening investment in artificial intelligence are translating into tangible financial gains, with robust loan growth and surging share prices highlighting the digital bank's evolving strategy.
Valero Energy reported a robust fourth quarter, with net income surging to $1.1 billion, driven by strong refining margins and record operational performance. While renewable diesel faced headwinds, ethanol profits soared. The company outlined disciplined capital plans and highlighted potential tailwinds from policy clarity and increased access to discounted heavy crude.
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.
The resignation of CITIC Telecom International Holdings' CFO and Executive Director Luan Zhenjun, effective January 2026, marks a significant change in the company's financial leadership. While the immediate operational impact may be limited, the move raises questions about governance continuity and capital allocation discipline at a time when the stock trades at a perceived discount to its fair value.
Cisco Systems has inked a major 15-year virtual power purchase agreement for solar energy in Poland, a move that extends its environmental commitments into one of Europe's more fossil-fuel-dependent grids and underscores its long-term capital allocation strategy beyond core tech.
Microsoft posts record cloud and AI-driven revenue for Q2, fueled by new partnerships and its custom AI chip. However, a significant surge in capital expenditures for AI infrastructure and a slight deceleration in Azure growth triggered the stock's worst single-day drop since 2020, testing investor resolve on the long-term payoff.
Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX:CJ) has successfully upsized its bought deal financing to CA$95.15 million, capitalizing on robust investor appetite. The proceeds are earmarked to accelerate development of its key Reford 2 thermal oil project and strengthen its balance sheet, even as its valuation metrics present a complex picture for investors.
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.
As demand for specialist education soars, private investors—from Abu Dhabi to private equity firms—are capitalizing on a strained system, drawing criticism for extracting profits from vulnerable children and cash-strapped councils.
Antero Resources moves to finance its planned purchase of HG Energy II Production Holdings through a senior notes offering, a deal-contingent move that reframes its capital structure while introducing near-term execution risks for investors to watch.
Fueled by a landmark $20 billion funding round for AI firm Anthropic, infrastructure provider IREN is seeing its strategic shift from cryptocurrency mining to AI data centers validated by investors. With a key Microsoft partnership and surging capital flows into AI, the company's stock performance reflects a broader market reassessment of its role in high-performance computing.
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.
Despite a weaker-than-expected volume environment, Norfolk Southern reported in-line cost performance for Q4 and highlighted significant strides in operational safety and efficiency. Executives pointed to a pivotal year of structural change while outlining cost and capital expenditure guidance for 2026.
Despite a challenging price environment, Murphy Oil (MUR) reported strong operational execution for 2025 and laid out a capital plan focused on funding key international and offshore projects. While near-term production is set to dip, CEO Eric Hambly highlighted a transformative discovery in Vietnam and strategic portfolio expansion as pillars for future growth.
As the STOXX Europe 600 stumbles under geopolitical and trade pressures, a focus on companies with significant insider ownership reveals where leadership is putting its own capital on the line. We examine three firms where high insider stakes coincide with robust growth forecasts.
