Wafer Fab Equipment

Business

IonQ Bets $1.8 Billion on Vertical Integration with SkyWater Acquisition, Aims to Accelerate U.S. Quantum Chip Development

In a major consolidation move within the quantum computing sector, IonQ has announced a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based semiconductor foundry SkyWater Technology for $1.8 billion. The deal aims to create a domestically controlled, vertically integrated platform to speed up the development and production of advanced quantum processors, citing both technological and national security imperatives.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

MKS Instruments Stock Jumps 9% on Favorable Debt Refinancing Deal

Shares of semiconductor equipment maker MKS Instruments surged this week after the company secured a €1 billion debt offering at a competitive 4.25% interest rate, a move analysts see as a strategic step to strengthen its balance sheet.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

GE Vernova Nears Prolec GE Acquisition, Betting Big on Global Grid Expansion

Fresh from its spin-off, GE Vernova is finalizing a deal to acquire transformer maker Prolec GE, a strategic move to bolster its electrification portfolio and capitalize on surging global demand for grid infrastructure and power equipment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SLB Secures Major Five-Year PDO Contracts for Oman's Block-6, Bolstering Local Manufacturing and Long-Term Services

SLB has won significant five-year contracts from Petroleum Development Oman for the giant Block-6 field. The deals mandate local wellhead manufacturing and deploy advanced recovery technologies, anchoring SLB's long-term service role and supporting Omani job creation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

KLA Shares Tumble 11.5% as Supply Chain and Tariff Concerns Overshadow Strong Earnings

Despite posting quarterly results that beat analyst expectations, KLA Corporation's stock plunged Friday as investors focused on management warnings about component shortages, tariff impacts, and operational constraints.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Graco Bolsters Industrial Tech Stature with Strategic Acquisition and Record Quarterly Sales

Industrial equipment maker Graco (NYSE: GGG) is expanding its powder technology footprint through the acquisition of Color Service, a specialist in gravimetric dosing. The move coincides with the company reporting record quarterly sales, fueled by organic growth and strategic integrations, signaling a period of focused expansion for the Minnesota-based firm.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Intel's Foundry Ambitions Gain Momentum as Nvidia, Apple Eye 2028 Production Deals

Intel's contract chipmaking division is reportedly in advanced discussions with tech giants Nvidia and Apple to manufacture key components starting in 2028, a potential game-changer for the semiconductor industry's supply chain.

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

Barclays Taps Astera Labs as Key AI Infrastructure Bet for 2026, Sees Quality Firms Leading the Pack

Barclays raises Astera Labs' price target to $165, naming it a top pick for AI integration plays in its 2026 semiconductor outlook, while contrasting analyst views highlight the evolving debate on AI's infrastructure demands.

Jan 30, 2026

US

Pennsylvania Unites in Defense of Punxsutawney Phil as PETA's Hologram Proposal Meets Bipartisan Backlash

In a rare show of unity, Pennsylvania's political leaders from both parties are rallying behind the state's famed weather-predicting groundhog, pushing back against an animal rights group's call to replace the living animal with a digital projection.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

NAPCO Security Technologies Posts Record Q2 Revenue, Driven by Robust Recurring Service Growth and Margin Expansion

NAPCO Security Technologies (NSSC) reported strong fiscal second-quarter results, with record revenue and expanding profitability. The company highlighted the sustained momentum of its high-margin recurring service model and announced a dividend increase.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

IDEXX Laboratories Posts Strong Q4 Growth, Unveils Ambitious 2026 Outlook on Diagnostic Innovation

IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) reported robust double-digit growth for Q4 2025, driven by record placements of its premium diagnostic instruments and expanding test utilization. While acknowledging persistent softness in U.S. veterinary visit volumes, the company outlined a confident initial 2026 forecast, banking on its innovation pipeline and the transformative impact of its inVue Dx system.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Southern States Pioneers SF6-Free Grid Future with Natural Gas Switchgear

Amid tightening climate regulations, Southern States LLC launches a new line of high-voltage switching products that replace the potent greenhouse gas SF6 with a readily available blend of carbon dioxide and oxygen, promising a dramatic reduction in environmental impact without compromising grid reliability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Russian Bitcoin Mining Giant BitRiver Placed Under Bankruptcy Supervision as CEO Faces House Arrest

Once a dominant force in Russia's crypto mining sector, BitRiver is now under court-ordered bankruptcy monitoring amid a cascade of financial and legal woes, including massive unpaid power bills and a criminal case against its founder.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Spider Silk Meets Selvedge: AMSilk's Biotech Breakthrough Weaves Into Luxury Denim

German biotech firm AMSilk partners with Italian mill Pure Denim to launch a new category of high-performance, sustainable denim infused with lab-grown spider silk proteins, targeting the luxury market with enhanced comfort and eco-credentials.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

End of an Era: Eddie Bauer, 106-Year-Old Outdoor Pioneer, to Shutter All North American Stores

The iconic outdoor apparel brand Eddie Bauer is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and close its physical stores across the U.S. and Canada, marking a decisive shift to a digital-first future while retaining some international retail presence.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Diner's Dilemma: Why Beloved U.S. Chain Restaurants Are Shuttering at an Alarming Rate

From Denny's to Outback Steakhouse, a wave of closures is sweeping through America's familiar dining landscape. Experts point to a perfect storm of inflation, shifting consumer habits, and financial pressures reshaping where we eat.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Dialogue with EU Amid Threat of First-Ever Sanctions Over Russia Trade

Bishkek moves to engage Brussels after reports emerge that the EU is preparing to deploy its new anti-circumvention tool, targeting Kyrgyzstan's role as a conduit for goods to sanctioned Russia.

Feb 2, 2026

World

UK Court Convicts Russian Captain in Fatal North Sea Collision That Claimed Filipino Sailor's Life

A Russian cargo ship captain has been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after his vessel collided with an anchored oil tanker in the North Sea, resulting in a fiery blaze and the death of a Filipino crew member whose body was never recovered.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Teen's Four-Hour Swim Through Treacherous Seas Sparks Dramatic Family Rescue Off Western Australia

A 13-year-old boy's extraordinary four-hour swim to shore triggered a successful multi-agency rescue after his mother and two siblings were swept out to sea off Quindalup, with officials hailing the family's collective bravery.

Feb 2, 2026