Japan Pledges to Invest $36 Billion in U.S. Oil, Gas, and Mineral Projects. Here Are 2 Stocks That Could Soar...
Japan announced a $36 billion investment in the United States as the first phase of a broader $550 billion partnership, with most of the capital earmarked for a 9.2‑gigawatt natural‑gas‑fired power plant in Ohio. The project aims to address rising electricity demand driven by AI‑intensive data centers and to bolster grid reliability. Potential participants include EQT, a major natural‑gas producer with extensive Ohio holdings, and Hitachi Energy, which could supply high‑voltage switchgear and grid control systems. The deal signals deeper Japanese involvement in U.S. energy infrastructure.
Maynilad Reconsiders ₱30-Billion Plant Site to Sync with Kaliwa Dam
Maynilad Water Services is moving its ₱30 billion Teresa water‑treatment plant from Rizal to a site within its West Zone concession to better align with the upcoming Kaliwa dam. The relocation shortens pipeline distance, aiming to cut non‑revenue water losses and...
Discovery World Invests ₱265 Million to Expand Palawan Properties
Discovery World Corp. is injecting ₱265 million into its Palawan resort portfolio, subscribing to ₱250 million of shares in Euro Pacific Resorts and ₱15 million in Palawan Cove to fund new beachfront developments and bolster working capital. The move also raises JT Perle Corp.'s...
BIR Turns From Taxing to Dismantling Philippine Offshore Gaming
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has moved from taxing to dismantling Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) by issuing a revenue memorandum circular that bans and declares all POGOs illegal, repealing the tax law that previously regulated them. This enforcement...
Philippines Eyes $800-Million ADB Backstop for North-South Commuter Railway Operator
The Philippines is seeking up to $800 million from the Asian Development Bank as a partial credit guarantee to backstop availability payments for the North‑South Commuter Railway (NSCR) operator. The guarantee, equivalent to 24 months of payments, aims to mitigate government...
Nickel Asia Diversifies Into Geothermal, Overseas Investments
Nickel Asia Corp (NAC) posted a 312% jump in net income to ₱6.27 billion, driven by record nickel ore prices and a 56% rise in EBITDA. The company announced three new wholly‑owned subsidiaries to support a geothermal holding entity, a shared‑services...
MUFG: Philippine Trade Costs to Fall After US Court Ruling
MUFG Bank expects U.S. tariffs on Philippine imports to decline following the Supreme Court’s decision that curbed the Trump administration’s emergency‑powers tariff authority. The bank notes that exemptions for high‑value semiconductors and key agricultural products should keep effective trade costs...
VIDEO: IDF Destroys Tehran Command Centres After Iranian Missile Kills Nine Israelis
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes on Tehran, destroying multiple command headquarters, including the General Staff for Internal Security, after an Iranian missile strike killed nine Israelis in Beit Shemesh. Israel reported firing about 100 ballistic missiles at Iran...
ECB’s Nagel Says Doubts on Dollar’s Haven Status Have Risen
European Central Bank Governing Council member Joachim Nagel warned that confidence in the U.S. dollar’s safe‑haven status is waning. He noted that recent market turbulence has led international investors to question the dollar’s reliability, contributing to its ongoing weakness. Nagel...
Chokepoints Under Pressure: When Geography and Conflict Strain the Arteries of Global Trade
The article highlights how simultaneous geopolitical tensions at the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and Pakistan’s Arabian Sea threaten global maritime trade. Iranian Revolutionary Guard warnings triggered tanker stand‑offs, navigation interference, and a surge in war‑risk insurance premiums, while...
Iraqis Call for March to 'Uproot' US Embassy in Baghdad
Iraqi groups linked to the Islamic Resistance announced a mass march to storm the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on March 1, targeting the Green Zone at 8:30 pm. Security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons, dispersing protesters who had already...
Significant Insider Activity at East West Bancorp (EWBC) in February
East West Bancorp (EWBC) disclosed notable insider sales in early February 2026, with CEO Ng Dominic offloading 50,000 shares worth about $5.9 million and Director Molly Campbell selling 1,800 shares valued at $221,000. The transactions reduced their ownership stakes by 6 percent...
Wells Fargo Raises Globe Life (GL) Target, Keeps Overweight Rating
Wells Fargo analyst Elyse Greenspan raised Globe Life's price target to $171, keeping an Overweight rating. The adjustment follows the firm's latest fourth‑quarter guidance, which aligned with consensus but prompted a broader reduction in earnings estimates for peers. Insider activity...
Bank of America Downgrades Fox (FOX), Slashes Price Target to $45
Bank of America downgraded Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOX) from Buy to Underperform on February 25, 2026, slashing its price target from $80 to $45. The downgrade centers on uncertainty surrounding upcoming NFL contract renewals and a projected 22% downside to fiscal‑2027...
KeyBanc Raises Zoom (ZM) Target to $74, Keeps Underweight Rating
KeyBanc raised Zoom’s price target to $74 from $69 on February 26, 2026, while keeping an Underweight rating, citing a likely pause in margin expansion as the company ramps up product development and sales spend. Despite enterprise and online growth...
Significant Insider Activity at The Travelers (TRV)
On February 26, 2026, Travelers executives Maria Olivo and David Rowland sold 10,400 and 4,731 shares respectively, generating roughly $3.19 million and $1.46 million in proceeds and trimming their ownership stakes by 8% and 11%. The same day, Morgan Stanley lifted its...
Iran Denies Reports of Former President Ahmadinejad's Death in US-Israeli Strikes
Iranian officials have rejected claims that former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was killed in the recent US‑Israeli strikes on Tehran's Narmak district. The joint operation on February 28 reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, sparking a...
Zero-Day Options Boom Is Coming for Big Tech as Hedging Picks Up
Traders are gearing up for a surge in zero‑day options (0DTE) on major tech names as the broader equity rally loses steam. Sector rotations have flattened S&P 500 gains for the year, and the close of earnings season has heightened...
Cathie Wood Goes Bargain Hunting: 3 Stocks She Just Bought
Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) recently added three new positions: design‑software firm Figma, gene‑editing company CRISPR Therapeutics, and AI‑focused data‑center provider CoreWeave. Figma now represents about 0.66% of the fund after a third purchase in February, while CRISPR has...
SEBI Not in Favour of SME IPO Curbs that May ‘Scare’ Away Issuers
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signaled it will not impose sweeping curbs on SME IPOs, preferring targeted oversight instead. Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey emphasized stronger due‑diligence, site visits and third‑party monitoring to hold merchant bankers accountable. Recent...
Iran's Central Bank Raises Money Transfer Caps
On March 2, Iran’s Central Bank lifted daily transfer limits across its banking system to ease pressure from high inflation and the ongoing war. The POL instant network cap rose to IRR 1 billion, card‑to‑card limits to IRR 150 million, and payment transaction ceilings to...
Top Wall Street Analysts Recommend These Dividend Stocks for Enhanced Returns
Top Wall Street analysts highlighted three dividend‑paying energy stocks—Williams Cos., MPLX and Energy Transfer—each offering attractive yields and growth catalysts. Williams raised its quarterly dividend 5% to 52.5 cents, delivering a 2.84% yield, while analysts see 12‑13% EBITDA CAGR through...
Gulf Stocks Fall, Kuwait Halts Trading as Iran Targets GCC Countries After US-Israeli Strikes
Geopolitical tensions surged after coordinated US‑Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf. Kuwait’s Boursa Kuwait suspended all trading, while Saudi, Oman and Bahrain markets slipped 1‑2% despite Saudi Aramco’s 2.6% rally on rising oil...
UAE Fujairah Bunker Market Braced for Impact
Bunker traders in Fujairah, the Middle East’s largest marine fuels hub, are preparing for a sharp decline in demand after heightened Gulf tensions and unverified warnings of a Strait of Hormuz closure. Recent missile strikes near Fujairah and Jebel Ali have...
3 Luxury Purchases You May End Up Regretting
The article warns that splurging on luxury items such as high‑end cars, oversized homes, and exclusive club memberships can quickly erode savings and hinder long‑term financial goals. It outlines how each purchase brings hidden costs—depreciation, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and lack...
Borderlands Mexico: Canada, Mexico Draw Record Foreign Investment in 2025
Canada and Mexico posted record foreign direct investment in 2025, underscoring North America’s growing role as a manufacturing hub. Canada received $96.8 billion, the strongest inflow in 18 years, while Mexico attracted a historic $40.87 billion, a 10.8% year‑over‑year rise. U.S. investors...
Qatar March Sulphur Price Announcement Postponed
State‑owned QatarEnergy Marketing postponed its March Qatar Sulphur Price (QSP) announcement to 4 March, citing recent geopolitical developments. February’s QSP was set at $520 per tonne FOB, a modest $3 increase from January. The delay follows the US‑Israeli strike on Iran,...
SCYB: Trouble Not Yet Boiling Over In High Yield
Schwab’s High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB) received a hold rating as macro‑economic headwinds raise concerns in the junk bond market. The fund offers a 6.7% distribution yield, a short 2.9‑year duration, and 58% exposure to BB‑rated issuers, but technical resistance...
IJR: The Smart Way To Play The 2026 Rotation
The iShares Core S&P Small‑Cap ETF (IJR) has been upgraded to a Buy as it trades roughly 30% below the S&P 500 valuation while delivering faster earnings growth. Its profitability screen removes the 43% of unprofitable firms found in broader small‑cap...
Why Investors May Prefer Large Caps over Small Caps Now Amid US Attack on Iran? Explained
Investors are shifting toward large‑cap stocks as small‑cap valuations in India remain stretched and foreign inflows stay muted, while the IT sector’s recent correction adds volatility. Simultaneously, the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have forced airlines to cancel flights,...
Wendy’s Is Down Sharply—Is the Dividend a Bargain or Value Trap?
Wendy’s stock has slumped about 51% over the past year, hitting a 52‑week low near $6.73 even after a Q4 2025 earnings beat. The decline is driven by the chain’s worst same‑store sales performance in two decades and weakening free‑cash flow....
Crude Oil Prices to Cross $100? What Experts Predict After US, Israel Attack on Iran
Following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, crude oil prices surged, with WTI at $67.29 and Brent at $72.87. Barclays raised its Brent forecast to $100 per barrel, citing heightened supply‑disruption risk...
Cabinet Clears IIFCL's IPO Plans, Says MD Rohit Rishi
The Indian cabinet’s Economic Affairs Committee has cleared the initial public offering of India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), a fully government‑owned NBFC‑ND‑IFC. The approval aligns with the Budget 2026‑27 emphasis on disinvestment and capital‑market listings for public‑sector entities. IIFCL...
Iran War's Oil Disruption May Have Begun; Oil Majors, Traders Suspend Shipments via Hormuz
Major oil majors and leading trading houses have suspended crude and fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as the Iran‑Israel‑US conflict escalates. Israel launched a pre‑emptive strike on Iran, followed by U.S. air and naval attacks, prompting heightened security...
Recto Joins PCG Auxiliary
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was commissioned as an auxiliary vice admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary during a ceremony aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua, highlighting the administration’s push to strengthen maritime governance. The government allocated ₱42.52 billion to the Coast Guard this year...
Visa Targets North Africa Growth with New Egypt, Libya and Sudan Sub-Region
Visa announced a new sub‑regional structure covering Egypt, Libya and Sudan, part of its broader North Africa, Levant and Pakistan growth strategy. The reorganisation appoints Malak El Baba as country manager for the three markets and moves veteran Ahmed Mohey...
Liquidity and Capital – Institutional Participation Continues to Broaden Across SGX
Singapore Exchange’s listed equities posted an average daily turnover of S$1.7 billion in the first two months of 2026, reflecting heightened market activity. Institutional investors were net buyers in industrials, technology, materials and other sectors, while retail investors favored financial services,...
China Calls for End to Strikes on Iran, UN Says the Hostilities “Undermine International Peace and Security”
China’s foreign ministry called for an immediate cessation of Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, urging both parties to respect Iran’s sovereignty and resume dialogue. The statement followed unverified reports that Beijing may offer to mediate between Tehran and the...
NSE Shares Won't List on NSE; IPO to Be Entirely OFS, Says CEO Ashish Chauhan
The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) will not list its shares on its own platform when it goes public, citing Indian regulations that prohibit self‑listing. Instead, the IPO will be conducted as an Offer for Sale (OFS), allowing existing...
Higher F&O Taxes Won’t Deter Small Investors, Says NSE CEO Ashish Chauhan; Calls for Tax-Based Entry Filter
NSE Managing Director Ashish Chauhan argued that recent hikes in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) will not discourage retail participation in futures‑and‑options (F&O) trading. He suggested that eligibility for derivatives should be tied to an investor’s tax‑paying capacity, proposing a minimum...
COMMENT: Modi’s Silence on Middle East Crisis Exposes His Lack of International Clout
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained silent as missiles struck Iran, Israel and other Middle Eastern states, opting instead to post cricket highlights, investment news and birthday wishes on social media. His silence follows a high‑profile visit to Israel that suggested...
Passengers Stranded at Delhi's IGI Airport Amid Escalated Israel-Iran Conflict
Passengers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were left stranded after a wave of flight cancellations triggered by airspace closures across the Middle East. The closures follow coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, prompting the Ministry of Civil...
AVLV: A Value ETF With A Distinct Sector Mix
Avantis US Large‑Cap Value ETF (AVLV) combines traditional value screens with profitability filters, delivering a sector‑balanced portfolio that includes notable allocations to technology and industrials. The fund trades at roughly a 24% price‑to‑earnings discount to the Russell 1000 and has posted...
How AI Adoption Is Reshaping India’s Agri Sector: Risks, Opportunities & Advisory Imperatives
Artificial intelligence is moving from pilot projects to core policy in India’s agriculture, backed by the Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack and NITI Aayog’s AI strategy. AI‑driven precision farming, climate forecasting and market analytics are already improving yields, water use and...
US Strikes on Iran Lead to Renewed Demands for War Powers Legislation
Democratic lawmakers condemned President Trump’s unilateral strikes on Iran, labeling them dangerous and unnecessary. They are pushing a Senate‑originated War Powers Resolution to require congressional approval before any further US military action against Iran. The effort has attracted bipartisan backing,...
Exports Jump 29 Pct to Record Feb. High on Surging Chip Demand
South Korea’s exports surged 29% year‑over‑year in February, hitting a record high. The jump was driven primarily by a sharp rebound in semiconductor shipments as global chip demand accelerated. The trade surplus expanded sharply, reinforcing the country’s position as a...
Thai Gold-Trading Curbs Take Effect as Authorities Rein in Baht
Thailand's central bank introduced strict retail gold‑trading limits effective March 1, 2026. Individuals can now trade up to 50 million baht per day on each online platform, aiming to dampen speculative buying that has lifted the baht. The cap excludes USD‑denominated...
Banking on Nonbanks
The IMF paper documents a rapid rise in non‑bank financial institution (NBFI) subsidiaries within banking groups, now accounting for about 32 % of syndicated loan origination in 2024. When macroprudential policies tighten bank‑level constraints, bank subsidiaries cut lending by roughly 1 %,...
Duolingo Grows, But Users Disliked Increased Ads and Subscription Pushes. Stock Plummets Again
Duolingo reported a strong fourth‑quarter performance, with daily active users climbing to 52.7 million, paid subscribers up 28% to 12.2 million, and revenue reaching $282.9 million, marking a 35% year‑over‑year increase. The company also celebrated crossing the $1 billion annual revenue threshold for the...
Who Is Ali Shamkhani, Iran Official Reportedly Killed in US-Israel Attacks?
Ali Shamkhani, Iran’s Defence Council secretary and former defence minister, was reported killed in coordinated Israeli and U.S. strikes. The attacks occurred while he was overseeing the latest round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations that concluded on Friday. Shamkhani, a 70‑year‑old...