Technology Strategy

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

World

UK PM Starmer Lands in Shanghai Amid US Trade Tensions, Leading Largest Business Delegation in Years

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai Friday with over 50 business leaders, aiming to deepen UK-China commercial ties. The visit, the first by a UK premier in eight years, comes against a backdrop of renewed US skepticism over Western engagement with Beijing.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

XRP Tumbles 7%, Wiping Out $70M in Bullish Bets as Ripple-Linked Token Feels Market Heat

A sharp sell-off triggered by broad crypto market weakness pushed XRP below key support levels, with traders now eyeing $1.74 as a critical near-term floor and the $1.79–$1.82 range as the next major resistance hurdle.

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

Beyond Nvidia: Two AI Infrastructure Giants Poised for Growth as Tech Titans Ramp Up Spending

With hyperscalers projected to pour $500 billion into AI infrastructure by 2026, investors are looking beyond headline chipmakers to the essential, yet often overlooked, backbone providers of the AI revolution.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI Infrastructure Showdown: Can IREN and APLD Sustain Their Meteoric Rise?

Once crypto miners, IREN and Applied Digital have pivoted to AI infrastructure, delivering staggering returns. But as valuations soar, investors face a critical choice between predictable cash flow and high-growth optionality.

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

Southern Company Extends 78-Year Dividend Streak, Defying Market Volatility

The utility giant Southern Company has declared its latest quarterly dividend, preserving one of corporate America's most remarkable records of shareholder returns. As markets fluctuate, the company's steady income stream and undervalued stock price are drawing renewed attention from long-term investors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Amundi's Revised Price Target Sparks Investor Reassessment Amid Shifting Market Sentiment

A fresh round of analyst price target adjustments for European asset manager Amundi (ENXTPA:AMUN) is prompting investors to recalibrate their expectations, placing renewed scrutiny on the firm's growth trajectory in a challenging macroeconomic climate.

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

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

Bitcoin's Luster Fades Against Gold, Revisiting 2017 Ratio as Debate Over Digital Haven Intensifies

The Bitcoin-to-gold ratio has slumped close to its 2017 level, fueling a fresh round of scrutiny over the cryptocurrency's viability as a long-term store of value amidst a resurgent precious metals market and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.

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

Thermo Fisher Scientific Caps 'Strong Year' with Robust Q4, Eyes Strategic Growth Amid Market Headwinds

Thermo Fisher Scientific reported a strong finish to 2025, with Q4 results exceeding expectations. While navigating currency volatility and tariffs, the life sciences giant highlighted growth in core biopharma sectors, strategic acquisitions like Clario, and a solid 2026 outlook.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trane Technologies Caps Strong 2025 with Record Backlog, Bullish 2026 Outlook Despite Residential Headwinds

Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT) reported robust Q4 2025 results, driven by exceptional commercial HVAC demand and a record $7.8 billion backlog. While proactive inventory adjustments pressured residential margins, executives project 12-14% adjusted EPS growth for 2026, fueled by strategic acquisitions and sustained commercial strength.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Schneider National Navigates Tough Q4 as Freight Demand Falters, Eyes Supply-Driven Recovery

Schneider National's Q4 2025 earnings fell short of expectations, pressured by a sharp late-year drop in freight demand and severe weather. While acknowledging near-term challenges, executives pointed to early signs of market normalization and detailed strategic cost actions aimed at positioning the carrier for an eventual upcycle.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Sherwin-Williams Navigates 'Softer for Longer' Market to Post Strong Q4, Eyes Modest 2026 Growth

Despite a persistently muted demand environment, Sherwin-Williams reported robust fourth-quarter earnings, driven by cost discipline and strategic acquisitions. The paint giant forecasts low-to-mid single-digit sales growth for 2026 while reinstating employee benefits, signaling cautious optimism amid ongoing economic headwinds.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BofA Doubles Down on Hesai Group, Boosts Price Target on Lidar Leadership and Regulatory Tailwinds

Bank of America Securities has reaffirmed its Buy rating on Hesai Group (HSAI), raising its price target to $32, citing the lidar maker's technological milestones, strategic partnership with NVIDIA, and favorable regulatory developments for autonomous driving.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

UBS Initiates Coverage on Zai Lab with Buy Rating, Touts Global Ambitions Beyond China

Swiss banking giant UBS has initiated coverage on Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB) with a bullish 'Buy' rating and a $35 price target, highlighting the biopharma firm's strategic pivot from a China-focused player to a burgeoning global innovation platform with a promising proprietary pipeline.

Jan 30, 2026