Shareholder Alignment

Business

Valero Energy Caps Record Year with Soaring Q4 Profits, Eyes Policy Shifts and Venezuelan Crude

Valero Energy reported a robust fourth quarter, with net income surging to $1.1 billion, driven by strong refining margins and record operational performance. While renewable diesel faced headwinds, ethanol profits soared. The company outlined disciplined capital plans and highlighted potential tailwinds from policy clarity and increased access to discounted heavy crude.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Waste Management Posts Record 2025 Results, Fuels Growth Through Efficiency and Sustainability Push

Waste Management capped off a strong 2025 with record cost performance and margin expansion, driven by operational discipline and its growing sustainability portfolio. The company forecasts continued growth for 2026, backed by robust cash flow and ambitious capital return plans.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Latham & Watkins Tops 2025 TMT M&A Legal Rankings, Kirkland & Ellis in Close Pursuit

A new industry report reveals Latham & Watkins advised on a record $370bn in tech, media, and telecom deals last year, narrowly edging out rivals in a highly competitive legal advisory market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Coca-Cola's Enduring Appeal: Why the Beverage Giant Remains a Cornerstone Investment

Amidst market volatility, Coca-Cola (KO) stands out with its formidable brand moat and a 63-year dividend growth streak, offering investors a blend of stability and reliable income.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Corebridge Financial Taps Into Tech and Bitcoin Trends with New Annuity Product, But Is the Stock a Buy?

Corebridge Financial (CRBG) has launched a novel index annuity linked to the Invesco New Economy Index, offering exposure to tech themes and Bitcoin. The move comes as analysts debate whether the company's current share price fully reflects its growth potential amid mixed recent performance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Microsoft's AI Bet Pays Off: Q2 Profits Soar 60% to $38.5 Billion as Cloud Demand Accelerates

Microsoft's second-quarter earnings smashed expectations, fueled by a 26% surge in cloud revenue that crossed the $50 billion mark for the first time. The tech giant's aggressive AI investments are now driving significant growth across its enterprise stack.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Mitsubishi Forges Global Alliance with Aethon Energy to Accelerate LNG and Next-Gen Infrastructure Push

Mitsubishi Corporation and U.S.-based Aethon Energy have announced a strategic global alliance aimed at co-developing projects across liquefied natural gas (LNG), carbon capture, geothermal energy, and digital infrastructure, marking a significant step in the Japanese conglomerate's lower-carbon expansion.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Microsoft's AI Ambitions Fuel Record Cloud Revenue, But Heavy Spending Weighs on Shares

Microsoft posts record cloud and AI-driven revenue for Q2, fueled by new partnerships and its custom AI chip. However, a significant surge in capital expenditures for AI infrastructure and a slight deceleration in Azure growth triggered the stock's worst single-day drop since 2020, testing investor resolve on the long-term payoff.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cardinal Energy Secures CA$95M in Upsized Equity Financing to Fuel Reford 2 Project and Trim Debt

Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX:CJ) has successfully upsized its bought deal financing to CA$95.15 million, capitalizing on robust investor appetite. The proceeds are earmarked to accelerate development of its key Reford 2 thermal oil project and strengthen its balance sheet, even as its valuation metrics present a complex picture for investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Thyssenkrupp Considers Strategic Stake Sale in Rothe Erde Amid Valuation Concerns

German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp is exploring the sale of a significant minority stake in its Rothe Erde bearings division, a move analysts say could signal a broader portfolio reshuffle and highlight persistent valuation gaps within the conglomerate.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Krones AG Shares Surge: Strong Financials Fuel Investor Confidence

Krones AG (ETR:KRN) has seen its stock price climb 11% in the past quarter. Analysis points to robust fundamentals, particularly a healthy Return on Equity (ROE) of 14%, as a key driver behind the market's bullish sentiment and the company's impressive earnings growth trajectory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa Posts Strong Q1 Results as Consumer Spending Holds Steady, Digital Services Fuel Growth

Visa's fiscal first-quarter earnings surpassed expectations, driven by robust cross-border transactions and a surge in high-margin digital services. The payments giant signals confidence in sustained consumer resilience despite some moderation in U.S. debit volumes.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

United Rentals Caps Record 2025, Eyes Another Year of Growth Fueled by Mega-Projects

United Rentals reported strong Q4 results, driven by data center and power sector demand, and issued 2026 guidance forecasting continued revenue growth. Management highlighted a robust project pipeline while navigating margin pressures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Morgan Stanley Bullish on Full Truck Alliance, Sees 30%+ Transaction Revenue Surge by 2026

Despite a mixed analyst outlook, Morgan Stanley projects robust growth for Full Truck Alliance's core commission business, even as overall revenue faces headwinds. The digital freight platform's long-term strategy is gaining favor.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Truist Bullish on Amer Sports, Forecasts EPS Above $2.50 by 2030 on Strong Growth Strategy

Truist Securities has raised its price target for Amer Sports (NYSE: AS), citing the company's clear long-term roadmap and 'durable growth levers' across its portfolio of iconic sports brands. The firm sees a realistic path to earnings per share exceeding $2.50 by fiscal 2030.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bargain Hunt: UK Stocks Trading at Steep Discounts Amid Market Jitters

As the FTSE indices reel from weak Chinese trade data, a screen of undervalued UK equities reveals potential opportunities. We examine three companies trading significantly below their estimated cash flow value.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Navigating the Maze: A Self-Employed Guide to Tax and National Insurance as Digital Overhaul Looms

With the annual self-assessment deadline a perennial source of stress for freelancers and sole traders, this guide breaks down the essentials of income tax and National Insurance. The landscape is set for a significant shift with the incoming Making Tax Digital regime, making this a crucial year to get to grips with the current rules.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Royal Caribbean Charts Aggressive Expansion on Record Demand, Unveils New Ship Class

Buoyed by record bookings and strong financial performance in 2025, Royal Caribbean Group projects double-digit revenue growth for 2026. The cruise giant announced a major fleet expansion, including a new 'Discovery Class' and ten additional river cruise ships, signaling confidence in sustained consumer appetite for experiential travel.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Navigating Market Uncertainty: Three UK Dividend Stocks Offering Stability and Yield in Early 2026

As global economic headwinds persist, UK investors are turning to dividend-paying stocks for portfolio resilience. We analyze three FTSE-listed companies with strong income credentials and growth potential for the coming year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust Posts Strong Q4 on Securitization Surge, Navigates Production Headwinds

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) closed 2025 with robust earnings, driven by a dramatic expansion in its private-label securitization business. While this growth fueled returns, the company's correspondent lending segment faced pressure, and faster mortgage prepayments impacted servicing rights income.

Jan 30, 2026