Steel and Aluminum

Business

Chalco and Rio Tinto Forge Brazilian Alliance, Securing Pivotal Stake in Major Aluminum Producer

In a landmark deal set to reshape global aluminum supply chains, Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) and mining giant Rio Tinto have jointly acquired a controlling interest in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA). This strategic move marks Chalco's largest overseas investment to date, significantly expanding its international footprint and influence.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Rio Tinto and China's Chalco Forge Joint Venture to Seize Control of Brazil's CBA in $900M Deal

Mining giant Rio Tinto and state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) have entered a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling 68.6% stake in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) from Votorantim, valuing the deal at approximately $902.6 million. The move signals a major consolidation in the global low-carbon aluminum sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Champion Iron Navigates Flat Market, Eyes Growth with DRPF Launch and Strategic Rana Gruber Acquisition

Champion Iron reports steady Q3 operational performance with improved costs and significant progress on its high-grade DRPF project. The company also details the fully-financed plan to acquire Norway's Rana Gruber, aiming to strengthen its foothold in the European steelmaking market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Algoma Steel's $250M Defense Deal: A Watershed Moment or Distant Prospect for Investors?

Algoma Steel Group's binding agreement with Hanwha Ocean for Canada's submarine project could funnel up to $250 million into a new beam mill, bolstering national defense capacity. While promising, analysts urge investors to weigh this long-term potential against the company's immediate financial and operational challenges.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trade Tensions Fuel Construction Costs: Tariffs Drive 3.2% Surge in Nonresidential Building Expenses

New data reveals tariffs imposed on key materials like steel and aluminum pushed nonresidential construction costs up 3.2% in 2025, with economists warning of continued pressure and broader impacts on equipment prices in the year ahead.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Japan's Manufacturing Sector Roars Back: PMI Hits 3.5-Year High on Surging Demand

Japan's manufacturing activity expanded at its fastest pace since mid-2022 in January, a key private survey shows, driven by robust domestic and international orders. While the sector's revival is clear, rising input costs and inflation concerns temper the optimism.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The High Cost of Plastic: How Credit Card Rates Hit Record Highs and the Political Battle to Cap Them

As average credit card APRs soar past 20%, a proposed 10% rate cap ignites a fierce debate between consumer advocates and the banking industry over access to credit and the future of rewards.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Beyond the Hype: One Wall Street Darling with Real Potential, and Two Stocks Where Analysts May Be Too Optimistic

While lofty price targets can signal opportunity, a closer look reveals that not all consensus forecasts are created equal. We examine one company poised to deliver and two where investor caution may be warranted.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Heavy Industry's New Power Play: Rooftop Solar Emerges as Key Tool for Cost and Carbon Reduction

Driven by falling costs and strong incentives, heavy manufacturing is increasingly turning to on-site solar power. This shift is transforming large factory roofs from passive structures into strategic assets for cutting energy bills and emissions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

A.O. Smith Navigates Flat Sales with Sharper Margins, Charts Course Through Inflation and China Headwinds

A.O. Smith's Q4 2025 earnings reveal a tale of two stories: revenue that missed expectations but profits that beat them. The water technology leader is leaning into commercial strength and operational discipline to expand margins, even as it braces for a challenging 2026 marked by input cost inflation and persistent softness in its China business.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

LyondellBasell Navigates Prolonged Downturn with Strategic Cash Preservation and Portfolio Reshaping

Facing one of the longest downturns in industry history, LyondellBasell reported Q2 2025 earnings of $0.62 per share, outlining a disciplined strategy focused on cash conservation, portfolio optimization in Europe, and a pivot towards circular and low-carbon solutions to emerge stronger from the cycle.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Copper's Bull Run: Three Mining Giants Poised to Capitalize on Surging Demand

As copper prices surge over 40% since August, driven by supply constraints and green energy demand, investors are eyeing major producers BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, and Southern Copper, each offering a distinct path to exposure in the red-hot market.

Jan 30, 2026

U.S. and Guatemala Ink Trade Deal to Bolster Western Hemisphere Textile Supply Chains

A new bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Guatemala aims to eliminate tariffs and streamline preferential treatment for textiles and apparel, a move hailed by U.S. industry leaders as a strategic step to reinforce regional manufacturing networks and counter Asian dominance.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Dainese Ownership Transfer Finalized: BlackRock and TIAA-Backed Funds Take Full Control

The European Commission has granted regulatory approval, concluding the acquisition of iconic Italian motorsports brand Dainese by asset management firms Arcmont and HPS Investment Partners, effectively placing ownership under major institutional investors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Qatar Bets Big on AI: $3 Billion Fund and Subsidized Compute Power to Fuel Startup Ambitions

Qatar has tripled its flagship venture capital fund to $3 billion, adding a strategic sweetener: subsidized access to AI computing power. The move aims to position Doha as a competitive hub for tech talent and deep-tech startups in the Gulf region.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AMD and GIGABYTE Forge Deeper Alliance, Bringing On-Device AI to Mainstream Gaming and Creator PCs

GIGABYTE is expanding its strategic partnership with AMD to launch a new generation of AI-enhanced gaming laptops, motherboards, and monitors. This collaboration integrates AMD's Ryzen AI and 3D V-Cache technologies directly into consumer hardware, aiming to deliver tangible benefits in gaming smoothness, system stability, and creative workflow acceleration.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Visa and Mastercard Post Strong Quarterly Gains, Fueling Debate Over Long-Term Value

The payments giants Visa and Mastercard reported robust revenue and earnings growth for their latest quarters, though their premium valuations continue to spark investor debate on which offers the superior long-term opportunity.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Visa Posts Strong Q1 2026 Results, Fueled by Robust Consumer Spending and Cross-Border Growth

The global payments giant reported a 15% surge in net revenue and processed a record 69.4 billion transactions in its fiscal first quarter, signaling resilient consumer confidence and a rebound from previous quarters.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tyson Foods Soars on Chicken Demand, Weathers Beef Market Turmoil

Tyson Foods Inc. surpassed quarterly profit expectations, driven by resilient consumer demand for chicken. This strength helped offset significant challenges in its beef division, where historic herd shortages and soaring costs have reshaped the meat industry's landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Power Giants Forge Alliance: Schroders, CATL, and Lochpine Unite to Fuel Europe's Battery Storage Surge

A landmark tripartite agreement between financial heavyweight Schroders, battery leader CATL, and investment firm Lochpine Capital aims to deploy up to 10GWh of energy storage across Europe, marking a significant step in the continent's clean energy transition.

Feb 2, 2026