Commonwealth Bank of Australia has partnered with Mastercard to conduct the nation's first pilot of authenticated 'agentic' payments, a move that could redefine how transactions are initiated and managed by artificial intelligence.
With economic crosswinds buffeting regional markets, income-focused investors are increasingly looking to dividend-paying equities in Asia to anchor their portfolios. We examine three prominent names offering compelling yields.
A sharp sell-off across digital assets triggered over $1.7 billion in leveraged position liquidations, with Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the losses as market sentiment hits 'extreme fear' levels.
Shares of Liberty Energy (LBRT) surged over 16% to an all-time peak as CEO Ron Gusek's aggressive growth roadmap, targeting a tripling of power demand, overshadowed a sharp decline in annual profits.
Defense contractor L3Harris Technologies capped off a record 2025 with surging orders and a strategic pivot, announcing plans to take its high-growth Missile Solutions unit public in 2026 while securing a novel $1 billion investment from the Department of War to accelerate production.
Lockheed Martin capped a year of robust sales growth with a historic $194 billion order backlog, driven by soaring demand for its advanced defense systems. The aerospace giant announced plans for a significant 'step function' increase in capital investment for 2026 to ramp up production of missiles and next-generation capabilities.
Southwest Airlines capped off 2025 with record revenue and improved operations, positioning the carrier for what executives project will be a dramatic earnings acceleration next year, driven by new initiatives like assigned seating and a refined loyalty program.
In a strategic overhaul, International Paper announced plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies focused on North America and EMEA markets, marking the next phase of its multi-year transformation.
Despite a challenging year marked by oil price volatility and softer demand for completion services, Liberty Energy (LBRT) closed 2025 with a resilient Q4 performance. The company is aggressively scaling its distributed power solutions business, targeting 3 GW of projects by 2029, even as it manages pricing pressures in its core fracking operations.
Lazard Ltd. reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, driven by record financial advisory fees and a rebound in assets under management. Executives framed the performance as validation of the firm's long-term 'Lazard 2030' strategy, highlighting talent investments and a robust pipeline for future growth.
Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) soared over 10% Thursday, buoyed by robust industry-wide demand and positive spillover from a rival's record earnings, signaling a potential turnaround for the cruise sector.
Bitcoin plunged to a nine-month low as a confluence of political uncertainty and geopolitical tensions sparked a broad market sell-off, forcing over $1.6 billion in leveraged positions to close.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the end of production for the flagship Model S and Model X during the Q4 earnings call, marking a pivotal shift towards autonomous vehicle fleets and humanoid robot manufacturing.
As regional tensions weigh on major Gulf indices, a closer look reveals resilient investment opportunities among smaller, financially sound companies. From energy giants to niche manufacturers, these picks highlight value where many fear to tread.
Despite modest earnings growth, Thai Beverage (SGX:Y92) has seen its share price tumble 40% over five years, leaving long-term investors with a significant total return deficit. We examine the disconnect between fundamentals and market sentiment.
Expedia Group has filed a WARN notice confirming 162 job cuts at its Seattle headquarters and among remote staff, marking the latest in a series of layoffs as the company accelerates its AI transformation amid intensifying industry competition.
Despite reporting a near-doubling of annual net income and raising its 2026 outlook, electronics manufacturer Celestica saw its shares drop sharply Thursday as the market judged its stellar results to be already reflected in the price.
Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. (HYMC) fell sharply for a second consecutive session, mirroring a pullback in gold and silver prices after their record-breaking rallies. The decline highlights the stock's sensitivity to commodity price swings despite recent positive operational updates.
Following a year hampered by supply chain issues and inventory adjustments, advanced materials maker Hexcel signals a turning point, forecasting stronger sales and profitability in 2026 as commercial aircraft production is poised for a multi-year upswing.
Eagle Materials (NYSE: EXP) posted resilient fiscal Q3 2026 results, with revenue reaching $556 million and EPS at $3.22. While wallboard sales softened, robust growth in cement and aggregates, fueled by infrastructure spending, highlights a strategic pivot. The company also outlined operational efficiency drives and a fortified balance sheet.
