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Business

Alphabet's AI Ambitions: Can Gemini Sustain Its Momentum Into 2026?

As Alphabet's stock demonstrates resilience amid market volatility, its Gemini AI platform emerges as a central driver. With deep integration across Google's ecosystem and new agentic capabilities, the tech giant is positioning itself not just to compete, but to lead the next phase of the AI race. We examine the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nomura Tightens Reins on Crypto Unit After Market Turmoil Hits Quarterly Profits

Nomura Holdings is implementing stricter risk controls at its digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital, following significant crypto-related losses that contributed to a nearly 10% drop in its fiscal third-quarter profit, the firm's CEO confirmed.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Weekend Bitcoin Plunge Leaves CME Futures With a 7% Gap – Will History Repeat Itself?

A sharp weekend sell-off in Bitcoin's spot market has left a significant pricing gap on the CME's futures exchange, a phenomenon traders are watching closely for a potential rebound signal.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Grubhub Bets Big on Super Bowl Debut: George Clooney Stars in Surreal Ad to Announce Fee-Free Orders

In a major Super Bowl play, Grubhub unveils a new 'No Fees' offer for large orders, backed by a bizarre ad directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and featuring George Clooney, aiming to reset its position in the competitive delivery market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Dollar General's Earnings Surge Fuels Q4 Rally, Defying Broader Market Trends

Amid a quarter dominated by mega-cap tech and AI fervor, Pzena Investment Management's value-focused fund highlighted discount retailer Dollar General as a key performer, driven by strong earnings that propelled its stock.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Uber's Valuation Faces Near-Term Pressure Amid Autonomous Vehicle Uncertainty, BofA Says

BofA Securities has trimmed its price target for Uber Technologies, citing near-term uncertainties in the autonomous vehicle sector, even as the company launches a new internal data initiative aimed at accelerating AV development.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Twist Bioscience Powers Ahead: Q1 2026 Revenue Jumps 17%, Fueled by AI-Driven Discovery Boom

Twist Bioscience kicks off fiscal 2026 with robust growth, reporting a 17% year-over-year revenue increase to $103.7 million. The company credits its semiconductor-based DNA synthesis platform and surging demand from AI-enabled drug discovery programs as key drivers, while reiterating its path to adjusted EBITDA breakeven within the year.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IBM Bolsters Enterprise AI Strategy with New Platform, Key Partnership, and PepsiCo CEO Joining Board

IBM intensifies its focus on the enterprise AI market with the launch of its governed deployment platform, a strategic collaboration with e& for regulated sectors, and the appointment of PepsiCo's Ramon Laguarta to its board of directors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Barclays Doubles Down on Meta, Lifts Price Target to $800 Amid Strong AI Investment Push

Barclays reaffirms its Overweight rating on Meta Platforms, raising its price target to $800, citing robust Q4 recovery and surging ad revenue. The upgrade follows CEO Mark Zuckerberg's announcement of a massive $115B-$135B AI infrastructure investment plan for 2026.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Iger's Parting Advice to Disney Successor: 'Preserving the Status Quo Is a Mistake'

In his final earnings call before stepping down, Disney CEO Bob Iger cautioned his likely successor against complacency, highlighting the company's improved financial health and the need for continued evolution in a fast-changing media landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

BitMine Amasses 4.28 Million ETH, Cementing Its Lead as World's Top Corporate Holder

Publicly-listed digital asset firm BitMine Immersion Technologies now holds over $10.7 billion in assets, with its massive Ethereum treasury positioning it to capture an estimated $374 million in annual staking rewards as it marches toward a controversial 5% supply goal.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Oracle's $50 Billion Gamble: Fueling AI Ambitions Amid Mounting Financial Risks

Oracle plans a massive $45-50 billion capital raise to expand its cloud infrastructure for AI, backed by a record $523 billion order backlog. While securing its future in the AI race, the aggressive move exposes the tech giant to significant execution and financial risks as cash flow turns negative.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Curreen Capital's 'Ugly Duckling' Strategy Delivers 31% Gain, Eyes VF Corp Amid Apparel Giant's Slump

Investment firm Curreen Capital posted strong 2025 results, crediting its focus on undervalued 'ugly duckling' stocks. The fund's latest letter spotlights VF Corporation (VFC), the embattled owner of Vans and The North Face, as a potential turnaround play despite its shares falling over 20% in the past year.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Plunges to $75K in Weekend Sell-Off, Sparking Market Jitters

A sharp weekend correction saw Bitcoin tumble over 7%, erasing billions in leveraged positions. While the immediate trigger appears tied to political uncertainty, analysts point to overheated market conditions as the deeper cause, even as institutional sentiment remains cautiously optimistic.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Microsoft's AI Bet Sends Spending Soaring, Cloud Growth Cools; Shares Tumble

Microsoft's aggressive investment in AI infrastructure led to a sharp rise in capital expenditures, while its flagship Azure cloud service showed signs of moderating growth. The mixed results triggered a significant after-hours sell-off, raising questions about the near-term profitability of its AI ambitions.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

SouthGobi Resources Stock Soars 486% Over Five Years, Highlighting Long-Term Value

Investors who held shares in SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (CVE:SGQ) since 2019 have seen a staggering 486% return, a powerful case study in long-term equity investing despite recent volatility.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

ADP's Shareholder Returns Outpace Earnings Growth, Raising Questions on Market Sentiment

While Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) has delivered solid earnings growth over five years, its share price appreciation has notably lagged the broader market. A deeper look reveals dividends have bolstered total returns, but recent underperformance highlights investor caution toward the payroll giant.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Baidu's Stock Surge: A 75% Annual Gain Defies Earnings Slump, Spotlighting AI Ambitions

While passive index funds track the broader market, selective stock picks can deliver outsized returns. Baidu's (NASDAQ: BIDU) shares have soared 75% in the past year, dramatically outpacing the market. This rally comes despite a significant drop in earnings, shifting investor focus towards the company's long-term strategic bets in artificial intelligence and autonomous driving.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fastenal's Steady Growth and Insider Confidence Draw Investor Scrutiny

While flashy, unprofitable startups often dominate headlines, disciplined investors are taking note of Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST). The industrial supplies distributor is attracting attention not for a speculative story, but for its consistent profitability, modest CEO pay, and a notable trend of insider share purchases—even as some executives sell.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Dr. Martens' Five-Year Slump: Shares Plummet 87% as Brand Struggles to Regain Footing

Iconic bootmaker Dr. Martens has seen its market value erode by over £80 million, with shares falling 87% over five years. The prolonged decline raises questions about the brand's strategy in a shifting retail landscape.

Feb 2, 2026