Powell Industries

Business

The Vanishing Numbers: How America's Fraying Economic Data Infrastructure Threatens Jobs and Stability

A quiet crisis is eroding the foundation of U.S. economic decision-making. As key federal data agencies face budget cuts, political pressure, and operational challenges, the resulting information gap could leave policymakers and businesses 'flying blind,' increasing the risks of policy missteps, deeper recessions, and prolonged unemployment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Industrial Sector Outperforms, But These 3 Stocks Flash Caution Signals

While the industrial sector has surged ahead of the broader market, not all companies are positioned to weather an economic downturn. We examine three industrial stocks where valuation and business model concerns suggest investors should proceed with caution.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navigating Market Stability: One Defensive Stock to Consider and Two Facing Headwinds

While low-volatility stocks can anchor a portfolio, investors often sacrifice growth for safety. We analyze one steady performer with durable advantages and two companies where challenges may outweigh the stability premium.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Austria Extends Wolfsberg Lithium Mine License Amid Surging Global Demand

The Austrian government has granted a two-year renewal for the Wolfsberg lithium mining license, with a final decision on production expected by end-2026 as lithium prices rebound strongly.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Plunge: Gold and Silver See Sharpest Drop in Decades Amid Policy Shifts

Gold prices tumbled from a record $5,600 to $4,770 per ounce, while silver plummeted 31% in a single day—the steepest decline since 1980. Analysts point to shifting U.S. monetary policy expectations and eased geopolitical anxieties as key drivers behind the sudden sell-off.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

D-Wave Quantum Hits Defense Milestone, Inks Major Deals as Commercial Adoption Accelerates

D-Wave Quantum Inc. announces a tenfold speed boost in missile defense simulations with partners Anduril and Davidson, alongside a $20M academic deal and a Fortune 100 QCaaS contract, signaling broader quantum computing integration.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Trump's Dollar Gambit: A Calculated Weakening Strategy and Its Global Ripple Effects

President Trump's apparent endorsement of a weaker dollar is not mere rhetoric but a strategic pillar of his economic agenda, aimed at boosting US competitiveness and narrowing the trade deficit, with significant implications for global central banks and currency markets.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Starmer Warns Against UK Isolationism on China Amid Trump's Transatlantic Pressure

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer urges sustained engagement with Beijing, countering Donald Trump's call for Western disengagement and highlighting deepening geopolitical divides.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

D-Wave Quantum's 38% Plunge: A Buying Opportunity or a Value Trap?

Despite a meteoric long-term rise, D-Wave Quantum's recent sharp decline highlights the extreme risks and towering valuations inherent in the speculative quantum computing sector. Investors face a critical decision.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headline Drop: Five Analyst Probes That Defined Brown & Brown's Volatile Quarter

Despite posting robust year-over-year growth, Brown & Brown's Q4 revenue miss triggered a sharp sell-off. The earnings call revealed deeper pressures, from integration challenges and talent poaching to market normalization, setting the stage for a pivotal 2024.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Europe's $955 Billion Recovery Fund Faces Uphill Battle to Deliver Lasting Economic Transformation

As the EU's landmark 'Next Generation' fund nears its final payout deadlines, its ambitious goal of modernizing the bloc's economy is being hampered by bureaucracy, skills gaps, and questions over long-term sustainability, despite pockets of innovation.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Civilian Bus Struck by Russian Drone in Dnipropetrovsk, Killing 12 Miners

A Russian drone attack on a bus carrying Ukrainian miners home from work has left at least 12 dead and 8 wounded, officials say, in what is being condemned as a deliberate strike on civilians.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Russian Crypto Mining Mogul Igor Runets Placed Under House Arrest in Major Tax Evasion Case

Igor Runets, founder and CEO of Russia's largest Bitcoin mining operator BitRiver, has been detained and placed under house arrest on charges of large-scale tax evasion. The case unfolds against a backdrop of Western sanctions and operational challenges for the once-dominant firm.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Stabilus Earnings: A Deeper Look Beyond the Headline Numbers

While Stabilus SE's recent profit figures appeared subdued, a closer examination reveals underlying strength and potential for a rebound, as the market's positive reaction suggests.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Insider Bets on Asia's Growth Engines: Techwing, Graphy, and Nanjing Leads Biolabs in Focus

Amidst a cautiously optimistic Asian market, companies where executives and directors hold significant stakes are drawing investor attention. We examine three high-conviction plays in semiconductors, 3D printing, and biotech where insider ownership aligns with explosive growth forecasts.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Utah Banker Who Built a Wall: Marriner Eccles and the Battle for Fed Independence

As political pressure on the Federal Reserve intensifies, the legacy of Marriner Eccles—the Utah banker who architected its modern independence—offers a crucial lesson. A BYU expert explains why shielding monetary policy from politics remains vital for economic stability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Amphenol Doubles Down on AI Infrastructure with Major CommScope Acquisition

In a strategic move to solidify its position in the booming AI data center market, Amphenol has struck a deal to acquire CommScope's Connectivity and Cable Solutions division, marking one of its most significant acquisitions to date.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Salesforce Secures Major U.S. Army AI Contract, Joins Wildfire Tech Coalition

Salesforce expands its enterprise footprint with a landmark $5.6 billion defense contract and a new role in an AI-driven wildfire response initiative, signaling a strategic push into mission-critical government and infrastructure sectors.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Japan's Deep-Sea Breakthrough: Rare Earth Minerals Retrieved from 6,000-Meter Depths in Pacific

Japan has successfully retrieved sediment containing rare earth minerals from a depth of 6,000 meters in the Pacific Ocean, marking a world-first achievement in deep-sea resource exploration. The mission, part of a strategic push to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies, could reshape global supply chains for critical technology components.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Atkore Earnings Preview: Can the Electrical Safety Specialist Beat Expectations Again?

Atkore International is set to report its quarterly earnings Tuesday morning. Investors will be watching closely to see if the company can overcome recent headwinds in the electrical systems sector and meet Wall Street's forecasts.

Feb 2, 2026