Los Angeles Business Journal - Latest News and Information
A $10 jump in oil prices, driven by geopolitical risk, has jolted global equities but left U.S. stocks surprisingly resilient. The United States, now a net oil exporter with most imports from Canada and Mexico, experiences a lagged impact on gasoline prices, allowing short‑term market stability. However, the heightened risk premium could eventually raise manufacturing and transportation costs, threatening consumer demand. Recent data shows U.S. equities rebounding against international markets after a brief outperformance by overseas assets.
GoodRx Holdings is reshaping its business after CEO Wendy Barnes took over in early 2025, as traditional pharmacy‑transaction revenue shrank amid widespread retail pharmacy closures. The company is accelerating two new pillars—pharma‑direct partnerships and condition‑specific subscription telehealth programs—to offset the...
Equatic, a Santa Monica carbon‑removal startup, secured $11.6 million Series A funding to build a 100‑kiloton ocean‑based CO₂ capture plant that also produces green hydrogen. The technology electrolyzes seawater with renewable power, generating base that pulls carbon from the air while the...
Antares Nuclear, founded in 2023, secured $96 million in Series B funding (bringing total capital to about $130 million) to build modular, transportable reactors for hard‑to‑reach energy deserts. The startup is targeting the U.S. military and aerospace sectors rather than commercial data centers,...
Critical Loop, founded in 2023 by Bala Ramamurthy, Andrew Grinalds and Lydia Maher, creates mobile microgrids that can deliver megawatts of power within weeks. The company targets energy‑desert locations such as islands, remote military bases, and high‑demand industrial sites. Falling...
Arbor Energy, founded in 2021 by Brad Hartwig and Andres Garcia Clark, secured a $55 million Series A round to accelerate its modular, turbine‑centered power stations. The company’s 25‑megawatt, fuel‑flexible units aim to supply clean baseload power for AI‑driven data centers that...
In January, the four Los Angeles County airports handled over 6.7 million passengers, a modest 0.8 % year‑over‑year increase and the first overall gain since December 2024. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) posted a 0.8 % rise, while Ontario International saw a stronger 3.7 %...
Data privacy risk is intensifying in 2026 as legacy “zombie” statutes, expanding state regulations, and pervasive AI usage converge. Companies face renewed class‑action exposure from outdated laws like California’s 1960s invasion‑of‑privacy act, while Texas and Connecticut enforce stricter opt‑in consent...
The retirement plan market is rapidly shifting toward Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs), with assets projected to rise from $12 billion in 2023 to $21 billion by the end of 2024 and the number of plans tripling to 339. More than 50,000 employers...
Montebello‑based DLP Eye Group Inc. announced the closure of all eight of its eye‑care and surgery centers, effective March 18, 2026. The shutdown will affect 136 employees, who received a WARN filing with the state. The clinics, located primarily in...
The Beverly Hills Estates has launched a new division, The Palisades Estates, to lead the redevelopment of Pacific Palisades after the 2023 wildfire that destroyed nearly 7,000 homes. The unit, headed by longtime local agent Jacqueline Chernov—who lost two homes in...
Kennedy Wilson Holdings agreed to a $1.65 billion all‑cash transaction that will take the Beverly Hills‑based real‑estate investment firm private. The deal is led by CEO William McMorrow and includes Toronto‑based Fairfax Financial Holdings acquiring a majority economic interest while McMorrow...
Cargo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach dropped 11.6% year‑over‑year in January, handling a combined 1.66 million TEUs – the second‑largest January haul since the pandemic. Imports fell 13% at both ports while export...
Banc of California is accelerating its payments strategy by hiring industry veteran Chris Healy to lead its merchant acquiring platform, BancEdge. The bank aims to broaden the platform across existing and new commercial clients, emphasizing real‑time, AI‑driven payment capabilities. Healy’s...
David Evans and veteran broker Jerome McAlpin founded We House LA, a landlord advocacy group representing about three dozen small property owners in South Los Angeles. Since the pandemic, members have faced soaring utility and insurance costs while rent growth...
