Price Target Cut

Business

Valero Energy Caps Record Year with Soaring Q4 Profits, Eyes Policy Shifts and Venezuelan Crude

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.

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

World

UK PM Starmer Lands in Shanghai Amid US Trade Tensions, Leading Largest Business Delegation in Years

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai Friday with over 50 business leaders, aiming to deepen UK-China commercial ties. The visit, the first by a UK premier in eight years, comes against a backdrop of renewed US skepticism over Western engagement with Beijing.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

XRP Tumbles 7%, Wiping Out $70M in Bullish Bets as Ripple-Linked Token Feels Market Heat

A sharp sell-off triggered by broad crypto market weakness pushed XRP below key support levels, with traders now eyeing $1.74 as a critical near-term floor and the $1.79–$1.82 range as the next major resistance hurdle.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Volatility Surges to 8-Month High as Traders Brace for Turbulence

Bitcoin's volatility gauge spiked sharply during Thursday's sell-off, signaling heightened trader anxiety and a rush for downside protection, though metrics suggest the market is not yet in extreme fear territory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Latham & Watkins Tops 2025 TMT M&A Legal Rankings, Kirkland & Ellis in Close Pursuit

A new industry report reveals Latham & Watkins advised on a record $370bn in tech, media, and telecom deals last year, narrowly edging out rivals in a highly competitive legal advisory market.

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

Beyond Nvidia: Two AI Infrastructure Giants Poised for Growth as Tech Titans Ramp Up Spending

With hyperscalers projected to pour $500 billion into AI infrastructure by 2026, investors are looking beyond headline chipmakers to the essential, yet often overlooked, backbone providers of the AI revolution.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Tap Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair, Signaling Hawkish Shift

President Trump is expected to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as Jerome Powell's successor, a move markets interpret as a tilt toward more hawkish monetary policy and an end to months of uncertainty over the central bank's leadership.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Coca-Cola's Enduring Appeal: Why the Beverage Giant Remains a Cornerstone Investment

Amidst market volatility, Coca-Cola (KO) stands out with its formidable brand moat and a 63-year dividend growth streak, offering investors a blend of stability and reliable income.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Blue Owl Capital Navigates Legal Storm: Liquidity Lawsuits Clash with Analyst Confidence

Blue Owl Capital faces a wave of securities class actions alleging disclosure failures around liquidity and redemptions, casting a shadow over its robust alternative asset management platform. As legal pressures mount, the market weighs solid analyst backing against growing governance concerns, setting the stage for a pivotal earnings report.

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

Bitcoin's Luster Fades Against Gold, Revisiting 2017 Ratio as Debate Over Digital Haven Intensifies

The Bitcoin-to-gold ratio has slumped close to its 2017 level, fueling a fresh round of scrutiny over the cryptocurrency's viability as a long-term store of value amidst a resurgent precious metals market and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

United Rentals Caps Record 2025, Eyes Another Year of Growth Fueled by Mega-Projects

United Rentals reported strong Q4 results, driven by data center and power sector demand, and issued 2026 guidance forecasting continued revenue growth. Management highlighted a robust project pipeline while navigating margin pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Thermo Fisher Scientific Caps 'Strong Year' with Robust Q4, Eyes Strategic Growth Amid Market Headwinds

Thermo Fisher Scientific reported a strong finish to 2025, with Q4 results exceeding expectations. While navigating currency volatility and tariffs, the life sciences giant highlighted growth in core biopharma sectors, strategic acquisitions like Clario, and a solid 2026 outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Sherwin-Williams Navigates 'Softer for Longer' Market to Post Strong Q4, Eyes Modest 2026 Growth

Despite a persistently muted demand environment, Sherwin-Williams reported robust fourth-quarter earnings, driven by cost discipline and strategic acquisitions. The paint giant forecasts low-to-mid single-digit sales growth for 2026 while reinstating employee benefits, signaling cautious optimism amid ongoing economic headwinds.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AUTO1 Group's Three-Year Surge: Shareholders Still Up 239% Despite Recent Dip

Despite a recent 6.8% pullback, AUTO1 Group SE (ETR:AG1) has delivered a staggering 239% return to its shareholders over the past three years, highlighting the potential rewards of holding through market volatility. We examine the underlying business trends and investor sentiment behind the numbers.

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

Business

The £100k Tax Cliff Edge: How Britain's Stealth Tax Hits High Earners and What They Can Do

A quirk in the UK tax system means those earning between £100,000 and £125,140 face an effective 60% marginal tax rate, while also losing crucial childcare benefits. We examine the growing trap and the financial planning strategies to navigate it.

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