Senior Finance

Business

Liberty Energy Navigates Market Turbulence, Bets Big on Power Infrastructure Expansion

Despite a challenging year marked by oil price volatility and softer demand for completion services, Liberty Energy (LBRT) closed 2025 with a resilient Q4 performance. The company is aggressively scaling its distributed power solutions business, targeting 3 GW of projects by 2029, even as it manages pricing pressures in its core fracking operations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Lazard Posts Record Advisory Revenue in 2025, Citing Strategic Gains and Asset Management Turnaround

Lazard Ltd. reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, driven by record financial advisory fees and a rebound in assets under management. Executives framed the performance as validation of the firm's long-term 'Lazard 2030' strategy, highlighting talent investments and a robust pipeline for future growth.

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

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

Expedia Announces Workforce Reduction Amid AI-Driven Restructuring

Expedia Group has filed a WARN notice confirming 162 job cuts at its Seattle headquarters and among remote staff, marking the latest in a series of layoffs as the company accelerates its AI transformation amid intensifying industry competition.

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

Meta's $135 Billion AI Bet Signals Accelerating Arms Race, With CoreWeave Poised to Capitalize

Meta Platforms' staggering capital expenditure forecast for 2026, heavily weighted toward AI infrastructure, underscores the intensifying tech investment cycle. Specialized cloud provider CoreWeave emerges as a likely key beneficiary, its fortunes tied to the hyperscaler spending spree.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dolby Laboratories Surpasses Expectations in Q1 2026, Driven by Automotive and Streaming Growth

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) kicked off fiscal 2026 with robust first-quarter results, exceeding its own revenue and earnings forecasts. The audio-visual technology leader credits strong deal timing and highlighted significant momentum in automotive, television, and mobile partnerships, including expanded ties with Qualcomm and major social media platforms.

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

Hexcel Eyes Sustained Aerospace Rebound After Challenging 2025, Outlines Growth Plan

Following a year hampered by supply chain issues and inventory adjustments, advanced materials maker Hexcel signals a turning point, forecasting stronger sales and profitability in 2026 as commercial aircraft production is poised for a multi-year upswing.

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

Equity Lifestyle Properties Posts Steady 2025 Growth, Eyes Continued Expansion in 2026 Amid RV Segment Volatility

Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) reported solid 2025 results with NOI and FFO growth, driven by its core manufactured housing communities. While forecasting further growth for 2026, management acknowledged ongoing fluctuations in its seasonal RV business and provided detailed guidance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Tech Jitters, Gold Retreat Rattle Asian Markets as Geopolitical Tensions Simmer

Asian equities faced broad declines Friday, pressured by renewed investor skepticism over the AI investment boom and a sharp pullback in precious metals. The sell-off unfolded against a backdrop of easing oil prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainties.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Symbotic Shares Slide 11.5% Amid Pre-Earnings Jitters: Valuation, Insider Sales in Focus

Shares of warehouse automation leader Symbotic tumbled sharply ahead of its Q2 2026 earnings report, as investors grapple with insider selling activity and questions over its premium valuation. The upcoming guidance on revenue growth and margins is seen as a critical test for the stock's near-term direction.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Atlas Copco Holds Dividend Steady Amid Earnings Dip, Signals Confidence with Extra Payout

The Swedish industrial giant reported lower sales and net income for 2025 but proposed maintaining its ordinary dividend and adding a special distribution, a move analysts interpret as a show of financial strength despite near-term headwinds.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Whirlpool's Credit Downgrade Casts Shadow Over Ambitious Product Revamp

S&P strips Whirlpool of its investment-grade rating, citing financial pressures, as the appliance giant books significant impairments while gearing up for a major 2026 product showcase.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name New Fed Chair on Friday, With Kevin Warsh Tipped as Front-Runner

President Donald Trump is set to announce his nominee for Federal Reserve Chair on Friday, with multiple reports indicating former Fed governor Kevin Warsh is the leading candidate to succeed Jerome Powell, a move already rippling through currency markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Three ASX Small-Caps Under $700M Drawing Investor Scrutiny Amid Market Recovery

As cautious optimism returns to Australian markets, investors are scanning the small-cap space for resilient companies with growth potential. We examine three ASX-listed firms, each with a market capitalisation below $700 million, that stand out for their financial health and strategic positioning.

Jan 30, 2026