West Africa

Business

Brookfield Renewable Posts Record Year, Sees 'Structural Shift' in Power Markets Fueled by AI and Electrification

Brookfield Renewable (BEPC) reported robust 2025 financial results, deploying a record $8.9 billion in capital. CEO Conor Teskey outlined a pivotal market transition, driven by surging electricity demand from data centers and industrial activity, positioning the company's diversified portfolio of hydro, wind, solar, and storage for accelerated growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Renewable Posts Record Year, Sees 'Material Shift' in Global Power Markets

Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP) reported robust 2025 financial results, highlighted by record deployment and a strategic pivot to capitalize on surging global electricity demand driven by AI and reindustrialization.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Franklin Templeton Posts Record Inflows, Hits $1.68 Trillion AUM as Clients Seek Unified Platforms

Franklin Resources (BEN) reported robust Q1 2026 results, highlighted by record long-term inflows of $118.6B and AUM reaching $1.68T. CEO Jenny Johnson emphasized strong demand for integrated public-private market solutions and personalized investment strategies amid ongoing market volatility.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

First Hawaiian Bank Navigates Shifting Tides: Q4 2025 Shows Strength, 2026 Outlook Cautious Amid Rate Uncertainty

First Hawaiian Bank reported a solid fourth quarter, driven by net interest margin expansion and loan growth, while outlining a cautious 2026 outlook. Executives highlighted Hawaii's resilient economy and strong credit quality, alongside a new, flexible $250 million share buyback program.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Fifth Third Bancorp Sees Price Target Boost After Strong Q4, Though Long-Term Forecast Trimmed

Truist Securities raised its price target on Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) following a robust quarterly performance driven by loan growth and fee income, while slightly adjusting its long-term earnings outlook due to acquisition timing and tax considerations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Global Sugar Glut Fears Deepen, Sending Prices to Multi-Year Lows

Sugar futures tumbled this week, with key benchmarks hitting multi-month and multi-year lows, as analysts project swelling global surpluses driven by robust harvests in Brazil and India.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Venezuela's Oil Sector: Exxon, Chevron Signal Cautious Interest Amid Political Shifts

U.S. oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron hinted at a potential future role in Venezuela's energy revival during earnings calls, emphasizing the need for legal stability and clearer political outcomes before any major commitments. While sanctions ease and new legislation emerges, the path to significant investment remains long and fraught with uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Faces Potential Plunge to $57,000 as Bearish Sentiment Grips Crypto Markets

A prominent crypto analyst warns that Bitcoin could retest a critical long-term support level near $57,000, signaling a deepening correction as the digital asset market stumbles into 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

False Merger Rumors Spark Industry Debate Over Aggressive Recruiting Tactics

A baseless rumor about a potential Osaic-Cetera merger, which spread rapidly through advisor networks, has highlighted the intense pressures and sometimes questionable tactics in today's financial advisor recruiting landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Stalls Near Two-Month Low as Warsh Fed Pick Fails to Offset ETF Exodus

Bitcoin struggles to find a floor, trading near November lows as the nomination of Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair fails to spark a rally. Persistent outflows from US spot ETFs and a broader risk-off mood compound the pressure, raising fresh doubts about the cryptocurrency's 'digital gold' narrative.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Powell's Parting Advice: Navigating Politics and Policy as Warsh Prepares to Steer the Fed

As Jerome Powell prepares to hand over the reins, his public counsel to a successor underscores the delicate balance between central bank independence and democratic accountability. With Kevin Warsh named as his replacement, the Fed may be poised for a significant shift in philosophy and approach.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Stock Yards Bank Signals Confidence with $25 Million Share Buyback

The Louisville-based regional bank's significant purchase of its own stock highlights internal optimism amid a shifting interest rate landscape, even as it trimmed holdings in tech giants.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Texas Energy Jobs Bounce Back in December, Fueling State's Record Employment Surge

After a November dip, Texas's upstream oil and gas sector added 2,000 jobs in December, contributing to the state's record-breaking employment figures and underscoring the industry's pivotal role in the Texan economy and tax base.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Campbell Soup Shutters Hyannis Plant, Consolidates Snack Production Amid Strategic Overhaul

Campbell Soup Company announces the closure of its Hyannis, Massachusetts snacks facility, consolidating Cape Cod and Kettle Brand production. The move signals a significant supply chain realignment as the CPB stock shows mixed performance, raising questions about long-term value and market positioning.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Executive Moves: January Sees Key HR Leadership Shifts at Chipotle, Bridgestone and Beyond

The new year kicked off with significant personnel changes in the human resources executive suite, highlighting strategic expansions of roles and notable returns to former companies.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Ukraine Scrambles to Fortify Air Defenses as Brief Russian Strike Pause Expires

As a temporary halt in Russian airstrikes on Kyiv brokered by former U.S. President Trump nears its end, Ukraine is urgently working to strengthen its air defenses. Analysts caution the lull may be a tactical move by Moscow to bolster its diplomatic leverage rather than a step toward peace.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Stands Firm as Precious Metals Plummet Amid Fed Nomination Turmoil

In a dramatic market reversal, Bitcoin demonstrates resilience while gold and silver experience historic single-day declines, triggered by shifting interest rate expectations following a surprise Federal Reserve chair nomination.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BeatBox Beverages Cuts 158 Jobs in Austin as Anheuser-Busch Acquisition Looms

Future Proof Brands, maker of the popular ready-to-drink brand BeatBox, is laying off over 150 employees at its headquarters. The move comes weeks after announcing a $490 million majority stake acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, signaling corporate restructuring ahead of the deal's expected close in early 2026.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Markets on Edge: Bitcoin Tests $80K Support as Precious Metals Plunge

A sharp sell-off grips both digital and traditional safe havens, with Bitcoin nearing a critical $80,000 level and gold suffering its worst drop in months, fueled by Fed uncertainty and tech sector anxieties.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Microsoft's AI Spending Jitters Spark Sell-Off, But Options Traders See a Bullish Opening

Microsoft shares tumbled 12% as investors questioned the return on its massive AI investments, despite strong cloud growth. The volatility has created a surge in bullish options activity, presenting strategic opportunities for long-term believers.

Jan 30, 2026