Recession Risk

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates 'Deepest Downturn' with Cost Cuts and Strategic Shifts Amid Trade Volatility

Facing what CEO Peter Vanacker calls the 'deepest and longest downturn' of his career, LyondellBasell reported Q1 2025 results while detailing a new $500 million cash improvement plan. The chemical giant is leaning into portfolio restructuring and its global supply network to weather trade policy uncertainty and weak demand.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Behind the $5.6 Billion Headline: Decoding Salesforce's Landmark Army Contract

Salesforce secures a potential 10-year, $5.6 billion IDIQ contract with the U.S. Army, a strategic win for its national security unit. Yet, analysts caution the headline figure is a ceiling, not a guarantee, with real value hinging on future task orders and AI integration.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oil Giants Exxon, Chevron Post Lower Annual Profits Amid Price Slump, Pivot to New Ventures

Exxon Mobil and Chevron reported declines in full-year earnings as a sustained oil surplus pressured prices, though both companies highlighted strategic shifts toward LNG, chemicals, and power projects to fuel future growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Plunge: Gold and Silver Suffer Historic Sell-Off as Rally Unravels

Gold and silver futures plummeted Friday, erasing recent gains in a dramatic reversal. The sharp decline coincided with broader market jitters and followed warnings that the metals' explosive rally had entered unsustainable territory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Crossroads: Navigating the Sub-$90,000 Waters as Bulls and Bears Clash

With Bitcoin consolidating below $90,000, a significant retreat from its October highs, investors are weighing whether this is a strategic entry point or a warning sign. We examine the competing narratives shaping the market's next move.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Musk's Grand Ambition: SpaceX and xAI in Merger Talks to Pioneer Space-Based AI Infrastructure

Elon Musk is reportedly in discussions to merge his aerospace giant SpaceX with his artificial intelligence venture xAI, aiming to create an integrated powerhouse for deploying AI data centers in orbit, powered by space solar energy.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

ArcBest Navigates Prolonged Freight Downturn with Cost Cuts and Tech Investments

Despite posting a Q4 net loss, ArcBest is streamlining operations and investing in technology, positioning for a market rebound while the broader LTL sector continues its slow climb from a prolonged slump.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Golden Dome Funding Clears Congress, But Pentagon's $23B Missile Defense Plan Remains a Mystery

Congress has approved $23 billion in initial funding for the ambitious Golden Dome missile defense initiative, yet the absence of a detailed spending blueprint from the Pentagon is stalling progress and clouding investment prospects for 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Rivian's Rocky Road: Can the EV Underdog Deliver a Turnaround by 2029?

From post-IPO darling to a stock trading near historic lows, Rivian faces a critical five-year window. With new models on the horizon and a major Volkswagen partnership, analysts see a path to growth—if it can navigate fierce competition and persistent losses.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fed's Musalem: Rate Cuts Off the Table With Policy at 'Neutral,' Economy on Solid Footing

St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem argues the current interest rate stance is appropriate, signaling a pause in the central bank's easing cycle unless the labor market weakens or inflation drops unexpectedly.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump's Medicare Advantage Payment Freeze Sends Healthcare Stocks Reeling, Threatens Insurer Profits

A proposed near-zero payment increase for Medicare Advantage plans by the Trump administration has blindsided Wall Street, erasing billions in market value and raising fears of a prolonged downturn for major health insurers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

China Reportedly Grants DeepSeek Approval to Procure Nvidia's H200 AI Chips

In a significant policy shift, Chinese authorities have reportedly cleared the AI startup DeepSeek to purchase Nvidia's advanced H200 processors, potentially easing a major hardware bottleneck for its competitive large language model.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

MicroStrategy Shares Hit 17-Month Low Amid Bitcoin Volatility and Analyst Concerns

Despite a major new Bitcoin purchase, MicroStrategy's stock has plunged to its lowest level since September 2024, as market turbulence and mixed analyst sentiment pressure the crypto-focused software firm ahead of its earnings report.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Markets React as Trump Taps Former Governor Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair

President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh, a known monetary policy hawk, to lead the Federal Reserve sent initial shockwaves through equities and bonds on Friday, raising questions about the future path of interest rates.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Palantir's AI Ambition: Can the Data Analytics Powerhouse Sustain Its Meteoric Rise?

From a $10 direct listing to a $150 S&P 500 constituent, Palantir's journey has been fueled by the AI boom. As government and commercial demand surge, analysts project staggering growth. But with sky-high valuations, the path forward requires navigating lofty expectations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

7 Brew Launches Monthly Featured Drinks Program to Deepen Customer Loyalty

The drive-thru coffee chain 7 Brew debuts a monthly rotating menu of featured beverages, starting with five options for February including a new Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cold Brew, as it leverages its strong rewards membership to boost visit frequency.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Mosaic's Valuation Puzzle: Is the Fertilizer Giant Undervalued or Overpriced After Recent Rally?

Mosaic Company's shares have surged over 16% in the past month, reigniting debate among investors. A deep dive into valuation metrics reveals a stark contradiction: while a discounted cash flow model flags the stock as overvalued, its rock-bottom P/E ratio suggests significant upside potential. We break down the numbers and what they mean for long-term investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Musk's Master Plan? SpaceX Weighs Pre-IPO Merger with Tesla or xAI in Historic $1.5 Trillion Move

As SpaceX targets a record-shattering IPO for mid-2026, reports indicate Elon Musk is exploring a potential merger with either Tesla or his AI startup, xAI. The move could create a unified tech and industrial behemoth but faces significant regulatory and operational hurdles.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fed Contender Kevin Warsh: From 'Coolest Software' Skeptic to Digital Dollar Advocate

The potential nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh has sent ripples through financial markets, spotlighting his complex history with cryptocurrency—from early-stage investor to critic of Bitcoin as money, and now a proponent of a U.S. digital dollar.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BlackRock's Strategic Bet: Why the World's Largest Asset Manager Is Doubling Down on Sibanye-Stillwater

BlackRock has increased its stake in the diversified precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater beyond 5%, signaling strong institutional confidence amid a historic rally in gold and platinum group metals. We examine the drivers behind the surge and what it means for investors.

Jan 30, 2026