Regions Financial

Business

First Merchants Navigates Rate Headwinds with Steady Loan Growth in Q4

Despite an 8.3% year-over-year revenue dip, First Merchants Corporation reported resilient fourth-quarter earnings, buoyed by disciplined deposit strategies and robust loan expansion. CEO Mark Hardwick pointed to strong commercial activity as a key driver, even as analysts probe the sustainability of growth and integration challenges ahead.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Market Momentum or Mirage? Three High-Flying Stocks That May Be Overheated

While trading near 52-week highs can signal strength, it can also precede a correction. We examine three stocks where current valuations may not justify the price tag, urging investors to look beyond the hype.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Buffett's Final Moves: A Pivot from Banks to Pizza Ahead of Berkshire CEO Transition

In the quarters leading to his retirement as CEO, Warren Buffett orchestrated a significant portfolio shift, slashing Berkshire's stake in Bank of America while steadily accumulating shares in Domino's Pizza, highlighting a strategic bet on consumer resilience and brand loyalty.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ethereum Tests Key $2,200 Support as Sell-Off Intensifies; Analysts Spot Potential Reversal Signal

Ethereum's price has plunged 27% in five days, bringing it perilously close to the $2,000 threshold. While fear-driven selling dominates, on-chain metrics suggest the sell-off may be nearing exhaustion, potentially setting the stage for a long-term recovery.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Markets Tumble Amid Hawkish Fed Signals, ETF Outflows

The cryptocurrency market extended its losses on Monday, with the global market cap falling 2.9% to $2.65 trillion. Major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum led the decline, while significant outflows from U.S. spot ETFs and shifting macroeconomic expectations fueled a wave of 'extreme fear' among investors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

NBT Bancorp's Q4: Analysts Probe Merger Benefits and Future Growth Amid Steady Earnings

NBT Bancorp met Q4 earnings expectations, driven by its Evans Bancorp merger and wealth management income. While the market reaction was muted, analysts pressed management on loan growth sustainability, deposit costs, and the competitive landscape in a challenging rate environment.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Portland Mayor Demands ICE Departure Following Use of Tear Gas on Protesters, Including Children

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has called for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave the city, condemning federal agents' deployment of tear gas and other crowd-control munitions against a weekend protest he described as peaceful.

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

BKV Seizes Majority Control of Texas Power Venture in $115M Deal, Betting on AI-Driven Energy Demand

U.S. energy firm BKV has completed a $115.1 million transaction to raise its stake in the BKV-BPP Power joint venture to 75%, gaining operational control as it positions to meet surging electricity needs from Texas's booming data center and AI sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

XRP's Rocky Road: Navigating Economic Headwinds and Fading Catalysts Over the Next Three Years

After a stellar 365% surge in the past three years, XRP faces a challenging horizon. Economic uncertainty, shifting investor sentiment, and the maturation of key growth drivers suggest a potentially turbulent period ahead for the digital asset.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Viasat Soars to 52-Week High, Fueled by Strategic Wins and Analyst Optimism

Satellite communications provider Viasat (VSAT) saw its shares hit a new 52-week peak of $46.49, capping a remarkable 12-month rally. The surge follows a significant price target upgrade from Morgan Stanley and the successful launch of a key global network for government clients.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Eli Lilly Doubles Down: $3.5 Billion Bet on Next-Gen Obesity Drugs and Gene Therapy Partnerships

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announces a major $3.5 billion manufacturing expansion for its weight-loss drugs and enters two strategic research collaborations in gene editing and immunology, signaling aggressive growth plans amid a recent stock valuation dip.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Venture Global Secures Key Arbitration Win Against Repsol, Easing Investor Concerns Over LNG Contract Stability

A final arbitration ruling in favor of Venture Global LNG against Spain's Repsol resolves a high-stakes contractual dispute, providing clarity on cash flows and bolstering confidence in the company's long-term project viability amid volatile energy markets.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

RB Global's Valuation Puzzle: Short-Term Dip Meets Long-Term Momentum

Shares of RB Global (RBA) have retreated slightly in recent trading, yet the industrial auction giant's stock remains on a strong upward trajectory over the past quarter and year. This divergence presents investors with a classic valuation conundrum: is the current price a buying opportunity, or does a lofty P/E ratio signal overextension?

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Klaviyo Bets on AI Integration to Strengthen Its CRM Platform Amid Market Pressures

Klaviyo deepens its AI capabilities with a new ChatGPT integration and a key partnership, aiming to enhance marketer tools and customer data—a strategic push as the company navigates profitability challenges and a depressed stock price.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Jacobs Secures Major Low-Carbon Infrastructure Contracts Amid Market Skepticism

Jacobs Solutions lands pivotal roles in California wastewater upgrades and UK nuclear project, reinforcing its position in sustainable infrastructure despite shares trading below analyst targets.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Small-Caps Poised for Growth Amid Market Volatility

While geopolitical tensions have rattled regional markets, a closer look reveals resilient smaller companies in the GCC and Turkey offering unique value propositions. We analyze three firms with market caps under $900 million in the education, packaging, and industrial sectors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chevron Navigates Price Headwinds as Q4 Earnings Dip, But Points to Record Production and Strategic Growth

Chevron's fourth-quarter profit fell 12.5% year-over-year, pressured by lower oil prices, but the energy giant highlighted robust operational cash flow, record production levels following its Hess acquisition, and significant progress in its long-term strategic projects.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From $100 to $27,100: The Nvidia Investment Journey That Defined a Decade

A $100 investment in Nvidia stock a decade ago would now be worth over $27,000, illustrating one of the most remarkable growth stories in modern market history, driven by the company's pivotal role in the AI revolution.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond Humira: How AbbVie Plans to Reign as a Biopharma Powerhouse by 2031

With its blockbuster Humira era in the rearview, AbbVie is betting big on its next-generation immunology drugs and a deep pipeline to drive growth and maintain its crown among Dividend Kings.

Feb 2, 2026