U.S. Competitiveness

Business

Mastercard Caps Off 'Very Strong' 2025, Eyes Growth in Services and New Tech for 2026

Mastercard reported robust Q4 and full-year 2025 results, driven by double-digit revenue growth and surging value-added services. Executives expressed confidence for 2026, highlighting strategic wins, investments in digital assets like stablecoins, and a focus on 'agentic commerce,' even as they plan a restructuring affecting 4% of staff.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

International Paper Unveils Major Split: To Form Two Regional Packaging Giants

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Lazard Posts Record Advisory Revenue in 2025, Citing Strategic Gains and Asset Management Turnaround

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Tumbles to $82K Amid Policy Jitters, Triggering $1.7B in Market Liquidations

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Expedia Announces Workforce Reduction Amid AI-Driven Restructuring

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Dolby Laboratories Surpasses Expectations in Q1 2026, Driven by Automotive and Streaming Growth

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) kicked off fiscal 2026 with robust first-quarter results, exceeding its own revenue and earnings forecasts. The audio-visual technology leader credits strong deal timing and highlighted significant momentum in automotive, television, and mobile partnerships, including expanded ties with Qualcomm and major social media platforms.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Eagle Materials Navigates Mixed Construction Landscape with Strong Heavy Materials Performance in Q3

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Five Point Holdings Caps 'Record Year' Amid Housing Headwinds, Eyes Growth Through Land Banking and Entitlements

Despite a challenging housing market, Five Point Holdings (NYSE:FPH) reported record annual net income for 2025, driven by strategic land sales and the integration of its Hearthstone platform. The company navigated economic uncertainty with disciplined pricing and secured major entitlement approvals to fuel its long-term pipeline.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Group 1 Automotive Posts Record 2025 Revenue, Navigates Market Shifts with Portfolio Reshaping and Shareholder Returns

Group 1 Automotive capped off 2025 with record revenue and profits, driven by robust aftersales and F&I performance. While navigating affordability concerns and a challenging UK market, the company aggressively reshaped its dealership portfolio and returned significant capital to shareholders through buybacks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Oregon Sees Dip in Weekly Jobless Claims Amid Mixed National Picture

Initial unemployment filings in Oregon fell last week, reflecting a slight easing in layoffs, while national figures held steady and other states experienced sharp swings.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name New Fed Chair on Friday, With Kevin Warsh Tipped as Front-Runner

President Donald Trump is set to announce his nominee for Federal Reserve Chair on Friday, with multiple reports indicating former Fed governor Kevin Warsh is the leading candidate to succeed Jerome Powell, a move already rippling through currency markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Restaurant Chains Shutter Dozens of Locations Amid Bankruptcy Wave

A growing list of casual dining chains are turning to bankruptcy court and closing underperforming stores as heavy debt loads and shifting consumer habits take their toll. The latest casualty, FAT Brands, has moved to permanently close 32 locations and reject their leases.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Markets on Edge: Bitcoin Plunges 7%, Stocks Mixed as Trump Teases Fed Pick and Shutdown Deal

Asian markets opened to a volatile session Friday, with Bitcoin leading a sharp crypto sell-off and stocks swinging as traders weighed President Trump's signals on a key Fed nomination and a deal to avert a government shutdown.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deckers Outdoor Soars on HOKA Momentum, UGG Resilience; Raises Full-Year Outlook

Fueled by record-breaking demand for its HOKA and UGG brands, Deckers Outdoor posts a robust Q3, beating expectations. The company credits disciplined full-price selling and strategic marketplace management for driving growth across all regions, leading to an upward revision of its fiscal 2026 guidance.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

CNX Resources Charts Steady Course Through 2026, Eyes Long-Term Demand Over Short-Term Price Spikes

In its Q4 2025 earnings call, CNX Resources outlined a disciplined capital strategy for 2026, emphasizing operational resilience amid severe weather and providing updates on its deep Utica shale program, RNG initiatives, and hedging posture. Management signaled a focus on long-term infrastructure catalysts rather than chasing volatile spot gas prices.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Peet's Coffee Trims Store Footprint in California Amid Corporate Restructuring

The iconic Berkeley-born coffee chain Peet's is closing dozens of locations across California, including in Southern California and the Bay Area, as part of a strategic realignment following its acquisition by Keurig Dr Pepper. The move, affecting hundreds of employees, has drawn sharp criticism from workers and union representatives.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name Kevin Warsh as Next Federal Reserve Chair, Sources Say

President Trump is preparing to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank, according to people familiar with the discussions, a move that triggered immediate market reactions as investors assessed the potential policy shift.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Blackstone in Advanced Talks for Major Stake in Hong Kong's New World Development

Shares and bonds of New World Development surged after reports that Blackstone is in advanced talks to become its largest shareholder, a potential lifeline for the embattled Hong Kong property giant and a signal of shifting sentiment in the city's real estate market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Poised to Name Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair, Setting Stage for Monetary Policy Shift

President Trump is expected to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair, a move that could signal a pivot toward aggressive rate cuts paired with a reduction of the central bank's balance sheet, reshaping the landscape for markets and cryptocurrencies.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Surge Sparks Rush to Buy, Sell, and Hunt for Hidden Treasure

As gold breaches $5,000 an ounce and silver soars past $120, a trading frenzy grips markets and sends individuals rummaging through attics for forgotten valuables.

Jan 30, 2026