River Valley Economy

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

World

Singapore Charts New Frontier: National Space Agency to Launch Amid Global Investment Boom

Singapore will establish its National Space Agency on April 1st, aiming to leverage its technological prowess to secure a strategic position in the rapidly expanding global space economy, as global investments continue to soar.

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

NIO Accelerates Global Expansion and Tech Rollout Amidst Domestic Market Pressures

Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO reports a near-doubling of January deliveries year-over-year, surpassing one million cumulative vehicles. The company is pushing into new markets in Europe and Asia while rolling out a major driver-assistance system upgrade to its existing fleet, even as it navigates subsidy reductions and intensifying competition at home.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hong Kong Tightens Regulatory Grip on Major Payment Networks

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has detailed its enhanced oversight framework for key retail payment systems, designating networks like Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay for direct supervision to ensure security and stability in the city's rapidly digitizing economy.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

D-Wave Quantum's Strategic Pivot: Acquisition, Major Deals, and a Cross-Country Move Reshape Its Trajectory

D-Wave Quantum solidifies its dual-platform strategy with the acquisition of Quantum Circuits, announces multi-million dollar enterprise contracts, and relocates its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Florida, marking a significant shift in its operational and market focus.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Midwest Gas Prices Climb for Second Straight Week, Nearing $2.70 per Gallon

Drivers across the Midwest are feeling the pinch as regional gasoline prices rose for a second consecutive week, with the current average now sitting 9 cents higher than last month. While still below the national average, the steady increase signals potential pressure on household budgets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Midwest Gas Prices Climb for Second Straight Week, Nearing $2.70 Per Gallon

Drivers across the Midwest are feeling another pinch at the pump as regional gasoline averages rose for a second consecutive week, now sitting just below the national average.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

First Hawaiian Bank Navigates Shifting Tides: Q4 2025 Shows Strength, 2026 Outlook Cautious Amid Rate Uncertainty

First Hawaiian Bank reported a solid fourth quarter, driven by net interest margin expansion and loan growth, while outlining a cautious 2026 outlook. Executives highlighted Hawaii's resilient economy and strong credit quality, alongside a new, flexible $250 million share buyback program.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Zeta Global Gains Analyst Favor as Application SaaS Sector Shows Signs of Revival

Zeta Global Holdings (NYSE: ZETA) is drawing increased attention from Wall Street, with multiple firms raising price targets amid early 2026 momentum. Analysts point to strategic AI partnerships and sector recovery prospects as key drivers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Navigating the Financial Sector: Two Stocks to Watch, One to Avoid Amid Policy Uncertainty

While the financial sector remains the economy's cornerstone, policy headwinds have capped its recent performance. We analyze one credit rater and a fintech disruptor that show resilience, alongside a legacy asset manager facing challenges.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Himax Stock Under Pressure: Three Red Flags and a Preferred Alternative

Himax Technologies shares have significantly underperformed the broader market, declining 7.5% over the past six months. We examine the key challenges facing the display driver IC specialist and highlight a more compelling investment opportunity.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Standex Hits Inflection Point: Record Margins and $100M+ Growth Forecast Signal Strategic Pivot

Standex International Corporation (NYSE: SXI) capped off its fiscal 2025 with a powerful fourth quarter, announcing record adjusted operating margins of 20.6% and laying out an ambitious roadmap for over $100 million in revenue growth for the coming year. CEO David Dunbar declared a "turning point" for the diversified industrial manufacturer, citing scaled growth drivers in electronics, engineering technologies, and fast-growing markets like grid modernization and defense.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dredging Deep: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Leads Mixed Bag of Q3 Results for Construction Services Sector

As earnings season winds down, the construction and maintenance services sector showed resilience. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock posted solid results despite a revenue miss, while peers like Primoris soared. We analyze the key drivers and what's next for these industrial players.

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

Business

WeRide Unveils 'Genesis' AI Simulation Platform, Aiming to Accelerate Global Autonomous Vehicle Development

Chinese autonomous driving leader WeRide has launched its proprietary general-purpose simulation model, Genesis, designed to bridge the gap between real-world data and virtual testing. The platform promises to drastically cut development time and costs for AV systems, from advanced driver-assistance features to fully autonomous robotaxis.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Infrastructure's 17-Year Payout Streak and AI Focus Signal Strategic Pivot

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP) reports robust 2025 results, marking its 17th consecutive annual distribution increase while spotlighting data and AI infrastructure as core growth drivers. The update fuels debate on whether the firm's narrative is shifting from a pure income play to a growth-oriented infrastructure enabler.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gas Prices Climb for Second Straight Week in Lower Atlantic States

Drivers across the Southeast are feeling the pinch as average pump prices in the Lower Atlantic region rose to $2.75 per gallon this week, continuing an upward trend that analysts link to seasonal demand and refinery adjustments.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gold's Record Run: Is the Rally Built to Last, or a Bubble Ready to Burst?

As gold and the popular GLD ETF hit historic highs, retail and institutional investors alike are grappling with a critical question: is this a sustainable shift or a speculative peak? We examine the drivers behind the surge and the debate on what comes next.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Venezuela Overhauls Oil Laws, Throws Open Doors to Foreign Investment

In a landmark shift, Venezuela's parliament has passed sweeping reforms to its hydrocarbons law, aiming to lure private capital into its crippled oil industry. The move, backed by a new U.S. license, signals a potential turning point for the nation's economy.

Jan 30, 2026