Retail Payment Systems

Business

Mastercard Caps Off 'Very Strong' 2025, Eyes Growth in Services and New Tech for 2026

Mastercard reported robust Q4 and full-year 2025 results, driven by double-digit revenue growth and surging value-added services. Executives expressed confidence for 2026, highlighting strategic wins, investments in digital assets like stablecoins, and a focus on 'agentic commerce,' even as they plan a restructuring affecting 4% of staff.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookdale Senior Living Stock Surges to 8-Year Peak After Analyst Upgrade, Strong Outlook

Shares of Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) rallied sharply, reaching their highest level since 2016, fueled by a significant price target increase from RBC Capital and optimistic preliminary earnings guidance for 2025.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Meta Stock Surges Over 10% as Analysts Boost Price Target, Citing AI Leadership

Shares of Meta Platforms soared Thursday, fueled by a significant price target upgrade from BofA Securities. The rally comes despite the company reporting a slight dip in full-year profit, as investors focus on strong revenue growth and the company's positioning in the artificial intelligence race.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Surges 10% as Industry Optimism Rises

Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) soared over 10% Thursday, buoyed by robust industry-wide demand and positive spillover from a rival's record earnings, signaling a potential turnaround for the cruise sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Tumbles to $82K Amid Policy Jitters, Triggering $1.7B in Market Liquidations

Bitcoin plunged to a nine-month low as a confluence of political uncertainty and geopolitical tensions sparked a broad market sell-off, forcing over $1.6 billion in leveraged positions to close.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Blackstone Explores Sale of Interplex's ICT Unit in Potential $1 Billion-Plus Deal

Blackstone Inc. is weighing a sale of Interplex's information and communications technology business, with early-stage talks suggesting a valuation exceeding $1 billion, sources familiar with the matter said.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Small-Caps Defying Geopolitical Turbulence

As regional tensions weigh on major Gulf indices, a closer look reveals resilient investment opportunities among smaller, financially sound companies. From energy giants to niche manufacturers, these picks highlight value where many fear to tread.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Thai Beverage's Five-Year Slump: Shareholders Grapple with 29% Loss Amid Market Outperformance

Despite modest earnings growth, Thai Beverage (SGX:Y92) has seen its share price tumble 40% over five years, leaving long-term investors with a significant total return deficit. We examine the disconnect between fundamentals and market sentiment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Musk's Empire Consolidation: SpaceX Eyes Mergers with Tesla or xAI Ahead of Anticipated IPO

Elon Musk is reportedly exploring a major consolidation of his business empire, with SpaceX considering mergers either with electric vehicle giant Tesla or his artificial intelligence startup xAI, as the space company prepares for a landmark public offering.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Joby Aviation Shares Plunge 16.7% on $1.38 Billion Capital Raise Plan

Shares of electric air taxi developer Joby Aviation tumbled sharply Thursday as the market reacted to the company's announcement of a major new fundraising effort, raising concerns over potential shareholder dilution.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

LendingClub Shares Plunge 16% as Accounting Change Overshadows Strong Earnings

LendingClub Corp. (LC) shares tumbled sharply this week, extending losses for a third consecutive session after the company announced a shift to fair value accounting. The move, aimed at aligning revenue with credit costs, spooked investors despite the fintech firm reporting a 164% surge in annual net income.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SAP Shares Hit 52-Week Low as AI Disruption Fears Rattle Software Sector

SAP SE's stock plunged to a yearly low following a cautious sector outlook from JPMorgan, which highlighted AI's potential to disrupt traditional SaaS business models, despite the company reporting robust annual earnings.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Celestica Shares Tumble 13% Post-Earnings as AI Hype Fails to Lift Stock

Despite reporting a near-doubling of annual net income and raising its 2026 outlook, electronics manufacturer Celestica saw its shares drop sharply Thursday as the market judged its stellar results to be already reflected in the price.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Applied Optoelectronics Shares Tumble 12.5% as Investors Cash In on Eight-Year High

Shares of Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) retreated sharply Thursday, shedding 12.5% as a wave of profit-taking followed the stock's surge to its highest level in nearly eight years. The pullback comes despite analyst optimism around the company's role in powering AI data centers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Hycroft Mining Shares Tumble Over 11% as Precious Metals Retreat from Peaks

Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (HYMC) fell sharply for a second consecutive session, mirroring a pullback in gold and silver prices after their record-breaking rallies. The decline highlights the stock's sensitivity to commodity price swings despite recent positive operational updates.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Plunges Below $82,000, Erasing $10,000 in 24 Hours as Market Braces for Potential Fed Shake-Up

A brutal sell-off wiped nearly $10,000 from Bitcoin's value, pushing it perilously close to its November low. The sharp decline, which triggered over $1.75 billion in liquidations, coincides with speculation of a major leadership change at the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

MarineMax Navigates Choppy Waters: Q1 Revenue Rises Amid Industry-Wide Margin Squeeze

Despite posting year-over-year revenue growth, MarineMax's first-quarter earnings reveal the persistent headwinds buffeting the recreational boating industry, from aggressive promotions to cautious consumers. Management points to early spring signals and a fortified balance sheet as reasons for cautious optimism.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Group 1 Automotive Posts Record 2025 Revenue, Navigates Market Shifts with Portfolio Reshaping and Shareholder Returns

Group 1 Automotive capped off 2025 with record revenue and profits, driven by robust aftersales and F&I performance. While navigating affordability concerns and a challenging UK market, the company aggressively reshaped its dealership portfolio and returned significant capital to shareholders through buybacks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

DXC Technology Charts Dual-Track Future: AI Push Gains Traction Amid Revenue Headwinds

DXC Technology's latest earnings reveal a company in transition, betting big on 'AI-native' products to offset declines in its legacy IT services. While revenue dipped, improved bookings and a strong cash position signal cautious optimism for its strategic pivot.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Middle Eastern Equities Defying Geopolitical Gloom

While regional tensions weigh on Gulf bourses, a closer look reveals resilient companies with strong fundamentals poised for growth. We analyze three under-the-radar stocks from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel that are navigating the volatility.

Jan 30, 2026