Author: Fiona Craig
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U.S. growth drivers look increasingly concentrated at start of 2026, UBS warns
The engines powering U.S. economic growth have become increasingly “narrow,” with significant portions of national output now described as “weak or contracting,” according to analysts at UBS. In a research note, UBS analysts including Jonathan Pingle and Alan Detmeister said the outlook for the U.S. economy through 2028 is heavily dependent on continued investment in…
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Is Gold Overtaking Bitcoin as the Preferred Hedge?
For years, Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD) supporters have promoted the cryptocurrency as “digital gold,” arguing that both assets serve as stores of value, generate no income and are inherently difficult to value. That comparison is now being re-examined as gold’s (PM:XAUUSD) rally accelerates and Bitcoin’s volatility remains pronounced. According to Yardeni Research, “both the cryptocurrency and the…
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Visa Shares Slip Even After Solid Q1 Beat
Visa Inc Class A (NYSE:V) delivered fiscal first-quarter results that came in ahead of expectations on Thursday, but the numbers were not enough to lift sentiment, with the stock down more than 1% in premarket trading on Friday. The payments group reported adjusted earnings of $3.17 per share, slightly above the $3.14 consensus forecast, while…
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Sandisk Shares Soar After Blowout FQ2 Results and Eye-Catching Outlook
Shares in Sandisk (NASDAQ:SNDK) jumped more than 20% in premarket trading on Friday after the data storage specialist delivered a fiscal second-quarter performance that far exceeded expectations and unveiled third-quarter guidance that caught the market off guard. For the quarter, Sandisk posted adjusted earnings of $6.20 per share, almost double the $3.49 forecast by analysts.…
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GeoPark Agrees $375m Cash Deal for Frontera Energy’s Colombia E&P Portfolio
Latin American oil and gas group GeoPark Ltd (NYSE:GPRK) has struck a definitive agreement to buy Frontera Energy’s Colombian upstream assets in an all-cash transaction. Under the terms, GeoPark will acquire 100% of Frontera Petroleum International Holdings—the vehicle that owns Frontera’s oil and gas interests in Colombia—for $375 million upfront, with a further $25 million…
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Apple Posts Strongest iPhone Sales Growth in More Than Four Years
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) reported a clear beat on both earnings and revenue for its fiscal first quarter of 2026 on Thursday, underpinned by its fastest quarterly iPhone sales growth in over four years. iPhone revenue surged 23.3% year on year to $85.27 billion, marking the strongest increase since the December quarter of 2021 and reaffirming the…
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Dutch Regulator Probes Roblox Over Safeguards for Young Users
The Netherlands’ consumer watchdog, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), has opened an inquiry into U.S.-based gaming platform Roblox (NYSE:RBLX) to examine potential risks faced by underage users within the European Union. The regulator said on Friday that the review will focus on whether the platform has put sufficient protections in place for minors.…
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OPEC+ Expected to Extend Output Freeze Into March as Crude Prices Rally
OPEC+ is widely expected to roll over its current pause on oil production increases into March when it meets on Sunday, according to five delegates cited by Reuters, even as crude prices climb above $70 a barrel amid rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran. The alliance is facing a markedly firmer price backdrop, with concerns growing…
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Gold Drops Almost 4% as Markets Await Trump’s Decision on Next Fed Chair
Gold prices extended their pullback during Asian trading on Friday, pressured by continued profit-taking after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would reveal his choice for the next Chair of the Federal Reserve later in the day. The prospect of greater clarity on U.S. monetary leadership prompted investors to trim positions after a strong rally…
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Fed Chair Speculation, Apple Results and Shutdown Deal Shape Market Moves: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures
U.S. equity futures edged lower on Friday as investors assessed growing speculation that Kevin Warsh could be named the next chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Corporate news provided some support, led by a strong earnings update from Apple, while precious metals pulled back from record highs. Meanwhile, political risk eased after signs emerged that…