U.S. South

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

Textron's Defense Surge: Record Revenue and Ukraine Vehicle Contract Fuel Growth, But Questions on Sustainability Linger

Textron secures a major $163.4 million military contract while posting record annual revenue, driven by strength in Aviation and Bell. As its stock shows robust long-term gains, analysts debate whether this momentum is built to last.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Roku's Rollercoaster Ride: Is the Streaming Giant a Bargain After Recent Slide?

Roku shares have retreated from recent highs, trading around $100. With conflicting signals from valuation models, investors are weighing whether the pullback presents a buying opportunity or signals deeper challenges in the competitive streaming landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Royal Caribbean Charts Course for Record Growth as Cruise Demand Hits New Highs

Buoyed by a banner 2025 and surging consumer appetite for ocean voyages, Royal Caribbean Group forecasts double-digit profit growth for 2026, signaling a full-throttle recovery for the cruise industry.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

L3Harris Declares "Best Year Ever," Charts Course with Missile Unit IPO and Strategic Portfolio Shift

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.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Lockheed Martin Posts Record Backlog, Unveils Major Investment Push Amid Global Defense Demand Surge

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.

Jan 30, 2026

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

Thai Beverage's Five-Year Slump: Shareholders Grapple with 29% Loss Amid Market Outperformance

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.

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

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

Three ASX Small-Caps Under $700M Drawing Investor Scrutiny Amid Market Recovery

As cautious optimism returns to Australian markets, investors are scanning the small-cap space for resilient companies with growth potential. We examine three ASX-listed firms, each with a market capitalisation below $700 million, that stand out for their financial health and strategic positioning.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Petronas Charts Ambitious Path: Doubling Down on Oil, Gas and Green Tech Through 2028

Malaysia's state energy giant Petronas unveils a sweeping three-year plan to sustain domestic oil and gas output, expand its global LNG footprint, and position itself as a regional leader in carbon capture, navigating the complex transition toward a lower-carbon future.

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