South Korea Fintech

Business

Grab's Path to Profitability: Analysts Split on Costs of Expansion into Quick Commerce and Fintech

Diverging analyst reports on Grab Holdings highlight the tension between its near-term margin pressures and long-term strategic shift. While Bernstein trimmed profit estimates, BofA Securities upgraded the stock, reflecting a debate on whether heavy investments in new verticals will ultimately pay off for the Southeast Asian super-app.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Grab Appoints New Independent Director as It Doubles Down on Grocery, Fintech and Autonomous Vehicle Ambitions

Southeast Asian super app Grab Holdings has appointed Laura Franco to its board, succeeding the retiring Ng Shin Ein. The move signals a governance refresh aimed at steering the company's aggressive expansion into on-demand grocery, financial technology, and next-generation mobility partnerships.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Cape Town Mayor Weighs Leadership Bid for South Africa's Democratic Alliance

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is considering a run for the leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA), a pivotal partner in South Africa's coalition government, following the incumbent's decision to step aside.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Five Analyst Questions That Defined Norfolk Southern's Challenging Quarter

Norfolk Southern navigated a softer-than-expected freight environment in Q4, leaning on cost discipline and operational improvements to offset volume weakness. Analysts probed management on the sustainability of these gains and the road ahead amid market uncertainty.

Feb 5, 2026

World

South Africa Seeks Closer Trade Ties with China as U.S. Tariffs Bite

Trade Minister Parks Tau is set to sign a key economic pact in Beijing this week, aiming to secure duty-free access for South African exports to the Chinese market amid strained relations with Washington.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Volkswagen's Tennessee Plant Reaches Tentative Labor Deal with UAW, Signaling Union Momentum in Southern U.S.

The United Auto Workers union announced a tentative agreement with Volkswagen at its Chattanooga, Tennessee assembly plant late Wednesday, marking a significant step in the union's campaign to organize auto factories in the traditionally union-resistant Southern United States.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Beyond Bookings: How Booking Holdings' Fintech Pivot Is Quietly Reshaping Its Future

Wall Street may still see an online travel agency, but a deeper transformation is underway at Booking Holdings. Its shift toward a payments infrastructure model is driving fintech-like margins and creating a durable competitive advantage, setting the stage for a potential re-rating.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Ryan Cos. Bolsters Southern Strategy with Key Leadership Hire, Tapping Healthcare Real Estate Veteran

Nathan Golik, a former NexCore Group executive, joins Ryan Cos. as President of its South Central region, bringing over $2 billion in development experience to steer the contractor's growing portfolio in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Market Veteran Sees Opportunity in Tech Rout: 'Nibble' on Fintech, Ignore the Panic

As tech stocks face a brutal sell-off, veteran trader Tom Sosnoff argues the resulting volatility creates a prime environment for selective buying, particularly in beaten-down fintech names and overlooked giants.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

South Bow Navigates Dividends and Debt as Blackrod Project Nears Finish Line

South Bow (TSX:SOBO) is walking a tightrope, balancing a lucrative dividend payout with an aggressive debt-reduction plan. With its flagship Blackrod Project nearing completion, the Calgary-based energy firm faces both opportunity and constraint in Western Canada's pipeline network.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

South Bow (TSX:SOBO): A Deep Value Play or Priced for Perfection?

South Bow's shares have surged 19% over the past year, catching the eye of energy sector investors. Yet, a closer look reveals a valuation puzzle: while a key cash flow model suggests a steep discount, traditional price-to-earnings metrics tell a more cautious story. We break down the numbers and the narratives shaping this Canadian energy stock.

Feb 4, 2026

World

MSF Hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei State Destroyed in Airstrike; Charity Points to Government Forces

A Médecins Sans Frontières hospital serving over 200,000 people in South Sudan's conflict-ridden Jonglei state was hit by an airstrike, destroying critical supplies. The charity suggests only government forces have aerial attack capability, as renewed violence displaces thousands and threatens a fragile peace.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Aspire Biopharma's Buzz Bomb Strikes Deal with Blue Shark Beverages for Southern California Push

Buzz Bomb Caffeine Company, a subsidiary of Aspire Biopharma (ASBP), has secured a strategic partnership with Blue Shark Beverages to manage and distribute its innovative sublingual caffeine product across Southern California, beginning with a Coachella Valley launch.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

South Bow Charts a New Course: Balancing High Yield with Ambitious Debt Reduction

South Bow (TSX:SOBO) is capturing investor attention by pairing a robust 7.2% dividend yield with a clear deleveraging roadmap. As the company consistently beats earnings estimates, the market is weighing its income appeal against execution risks tied to its balance sheet repair and key project timelines.

Feb 4, 2026

World

South Sudanese Forces Bomb MSF Hospital in Lankien, Destroying Vital Supplies

A Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in South Sudan's Jonglei State was struck by an aerial bombardment attributed to government forces overnight, destroying critical medical supplies and injuring staff, just hours after another MSF facility was looted.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Brookfield's Fintech Play: A Quiet Power Move Through Barclaycard Leadership

The appointment of fintech veteran Jason Lalor to lead Barclaycard Payments signals a strategic, long-term bet by Brookfield Asset Management, embedding its influence within a major UK bank's payment infrastructure.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Opera's Fintech Ambitions Take Center Stage: MiniPay's USDT Integration and Upgraded 2025 Outlook Signal Strategic Shift

Opera's strategic partnership with Tether to integrate USDT and Tether Gold into its MiniPay wallet, coupled with a significant upward revision of its 2025 revenue guidance, is positioning the browser company as a serious contender in the emerging markets fintech space. This move underscores a pivot from pure browsing to becoming a gateway for digital asset transactions.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Tiger Brokers (TIGR): The Undervalued Asian Fintech Powerhouse Poised for Growth

Despite posting explosive revenue and earnings growth, UP Fintech Holding Limited trades at a significant discount. Analysts point to its successful pivot to Singapore and Hong Kong, robust balance sheet, and a potential 87% upside as catalysts for a major re-rating.

Feb 4, 2026

US

Southern States Grapple with Dual Crises: Extended Blackouts and Water Safety Warnings After Historic Winter Storm

As a historic winter storm's aftermath lingers, tens of thousands across the South face a second week without power, now compounded by widespread boil-water advisories, creating a dire public health situation.

Feb 4, 2026

World

U.S. Rebukes South Africa Over Israeli Diplomat Expulsion, Citing 'Grievance Politics'

The United States has sharply criticized South Africa's decision to expel Israel's top envoy, framing the move as counterproductive. The diplomatic rift follows Pretoria's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and marks a further deterioration in bilateral ties.

Feb 4, 2026