XPO

Business

Valero Energy Caps Record Year with Soaring Q4 Profits, Eyes Policy Shifts and Venezuelan Crude

Valero Energy reported a robust fourth quarter, with net income surging to $1.1 billion, driven by strong refining margins and record operational performance. While renewable diesel faced headwinds, ethanol profits soared. The company outlined disciplined capital plans and highlighted potential tailwinds from policy clarity and increased access to discounted heavy crude.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK PM Starmer Lands in Shanghai Amid US Trade Tensions, Leading Largest Business Delegation in Years

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai Friday with over 50 business leaders, aiming to deepen UK-China commercial ties. The visit, the first by a UK premier in eight years, comes against a backdrop of renewed US skepticism over Western engagement with Beijing.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin Volatility Surges to 8-Month High as Traders Brace for Turbulence

Bitcoin's volatility gauge spiked sharply during Thursday's sell-off, signaling heightened trader anxiety and a rush for downside protection, though metrics suggest the market is not yet in extreme fear territory.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond Nvidia: Two AI Infrastructure Giants Poised for Growth as Tech Titans Ramp Up Spending

With hyperscalers projected to pour $500 billion into AI infrastructure by 2026, investors are looking beyond headline chipmakers to the essential, yet often overlooked, backbone providers of the AI revolution.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI Infrastructure Showdown: Can IREN and APLD Sustain Their Meteoric Rise?

Once crypto miners, IREN and Applied Digital have pivoted to AI infrastructure, delivering staggering returns. But as valuations soar, investors face a critical choice between predictable cash flow and high-growth optionality.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Thyssenkrupp Considers Strategic Stake Sale in Rothe Erde Amid Valuation Concerns

German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp is exploring the sale of a significant minority stake in its Rothe Erde bearings division, a move analysts say could signal a broader portfolio reshuffle and highlight persistent valuation gaps within the conglomerate.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bitcoin's Luster Fades Against Gold, Revisiting 2017 Ratio as Debate Over Digital Haven Intensifies

The Bitcoin-to-gold ratio has slumped close to its 2017 level, fueling a fresh round of scrutiny over the cryptocurrency's viability as a long-term store of value amidst a resurgent precious metals market and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trane Technologies Caps Strong 2025 with Record Backlog, Bullish 2026 Outlook Despite Residential Headwinds

Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT) reported robust Q4 2025 results, driven by exceptional commercial HVAC demand and a record $7.8 billion backlog. While proactive inventory adjustments pressured residential margins, executives project 12-14% adjusted EPS growth for 2026, fueled by strategic acquisitions and sustained commercial strength.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

UBS Initiates Coverage on Zai Lab with Buy Rating, Touts Global Ambitions Beyond China

Swiss banking giant UBS has initiated coverage on Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB) with a bullish 'Buy' rating and a $35 price target, highlighting the biopharma firm's strategic pivot from a China-focused player to a burgeoning global innovation platform with a promising proprietary pipeline.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Regulatory Headwinds Cloud Outlook for PDD Holdings Amid Broader China Internet Crackdown

While Morgan Stanley maintains an Overweight rating on PDD Holdings, the firm has removed the e-commerce giant from its Top Picks list, citing heightened regulatory scrutiny and a slower-than-expected consumer recovery in China.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Asia's Insurance Gap: A $64 Billion Climate Risk to Global Supply Chains

Despite bearing the brunt of costly natural disasters, Asia-Pacific remains the world's least insured region, with a staggering $64 billion protection shortfall in 2024 alone, threatening economic stability and vulnerable communities.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Exclusive: China Grants Conditional Nod for DeepSeek to Procure Nvidia's H200 AI Chips

Chinese regulators have conditionally approved leading AI startup DeepSeek to purchase Nvidia's advanced H200 artificial intelligence chips, sources tell Reuters, as Beijing navigates competing pressures to advance its tech sector while managing geopolitical tensions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Navigating Market Uncertainty: Three UK Dividend Stocks Offering Stability and Yield in Early 2026

As global economic headwinds persist, UK investors are turning to dividend-paying stocks for portfolio resilience. We analyze three FTSE-listed companies with strong income credentials and growth potential for the coming year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Parker-Hannifin Soars on Record Q2, Raises Outlook Amid Filtration Group Deal Progress

Parker-Hannifin posts record-breaking Q2 fiscal 2026 results, fueled by robust organic growth and margin expansion, particularly in aerospace. The industrial giant raises full-year guidance and details strategic progress on its planned acquisition of Filtration Group Corporation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

PennyMac Mortgage Trust's Valuation Puzzle: Profits Surge as Revenue Falls

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) posted a strong Q4 profit of $52.36 million, defying a significant year-over-year revenue drop. This mixed performance has fueled a 12% stock rally over 90 days, raising questions about whether the current share price accurately reflects the company's future in a volatile mortgage market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Plains All American Doubles Down on Crude with EPIC Pipeline Deal, Sparking Investor Debate

Plains All American Pipeline's strategic pivot—selling its Canadian NGL unit for $3.8 billion to fund the acquisition of the EPIC Crude Oil Pipeline—has sharpened its focus on oil transportation. While a 10% distribution hike signals confidence, analyst downgrades and heightened options volatility ahead of earnings reveal deep divisions over the company's risk-reward profile.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Antero Resources Funds Major Acquisition with $750 Million Debt Offering, Reshaping Portfolio Strategy

Antero Resources moves to finance its planned purchase of HG Energy II Production Holdings through a senior notes offering, a deal-contingent move that reframes its capital structure while introducing near-term execution risks for investors to watch.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Howmet Aerospace Stock Pulls Back: A Buying Opportunity or a Sign of Overheating?

Shares of aerospace components maker Howmet Aerospace have cooled after a multi-year rally, presenting investors with a valuation puzzle. While long-term fundamentals tied to commercial aerospace and energy remain strong, a high P/E ratio raises questions about near-term risk.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Crypto Rout Ripples Through Corporate Treasuries: MicroStrategy and BitMine Shares Tumble

A sharp downturn in cryptocurrency markets has spilled over into the stocks of major corporate holders, with MicroStrategy and BitMine leading losses as their aggressive accumulation strategies face mounting pressure.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

AI Bubble Fears Loom Over 2026 Markets, But This S&P 500 ETF Remains a Bedrock Strategy

As trillion-dollar AI infrastructure spending fuels concerns of a market bubble, long-term investors are questioning whether broad index funds like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF still offer a safe harbor.

Jan 30, 2026