Core Viewpoint - Halliburton has announced the promotion of Casey Maxwell to president of the Western Hemisphere, effective February 1, 2026, highlighting his extensive operational and leadership experience [1] Group 1: Leadership Changes - Casey Maxwell, previously senior vice president North America Land, will take on the role of president for the Western Hemisphere [1] - The promotion is recognized as a strategic move to leverage Maxwell's deep understanding of customers and operations [1] Group 2: Operational Experience - Maxwell has managed Halliburton's business in key regions, including the Permian Basin and Argentina, showcasing his relevant experience [1]

Payments giant Visa has partnered with London-based stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK to enable stablecoin-funded payouts across Visa Direct, expanding the network’s payment options beyond traditional fiat rails. Under the partnership, BVNK will power stablecoin payments for Visa Direct, Visa’s $1.7 trillion money-movement platform, according to a press release issued Wednesday. The integration will allow select business customers to pre-fund payouts using stablecoins and send funds directly to re ...

Backpack Exchange has launched a private beta of its new margin-based prediction market. This will allow traders to place bets on digital assets and financial outcomes while using the same capital across multiple products. The feature is available to select active traders only. Backpack Prediction Market Features Backpack Exchange has launched the Unified Prediction Portfolio, which allows prediction markets to operate alongside spot trading, perpetual futures, and lending within a single account. Unl ...

Core Viewpoint - Fortinet (FTNT) is identified as the most attractive cybersecurity stock in the market due to its industry-leading margins, competitive growth, and aggressive share count reduction, while competitors are seen as dilutive and trading at higher valuations [1] Company Analysis - Fortinet has a growing ecosystem and is focused on shareholder-friendly capital allocation through buybacks and dividends [1] - The company is positioned to benefit from strong secular tailwinds, indicating a long-term growth runway [1] Investment Philosophy - The investment philosophy emphasizes accumulating quality compounders at a discount, with a focus on sustainable wealth built through long-term compounding rather than speculative investments [1] - The methodology involves deep fundamental analysis to identify asymmetric risk opportunities where the market may misunderstand a company's competitive advantages or future prospects [1] Market Position - Fortinet is compared favorably against competitors, which are trading at higher valuations and are considered dilutive [1] - The company is highlighted for its ability to maintain industry-leading margins while growing its market presence [1]

Core Points - A former director of a North Yorkshire car dealership, John Patrick Hawkins, has been sentenced to jail for fraudulent trading that resulted in customers and investors losing approximately £1.5 million [1][4] - The dealership, Specialist Cars of Malton Limited, specialized in high-value Porsche vehicles and faced increasing financial difficulties, leading to reliance on overdrafts and fraudulent activities [2][3] Company Operations - Hawkins, as the sole director, continued trading while insolvent, misusing customer deposits and sale proceeds to cover existing liabilities [3][4] - By 2019, the company was in serious financial trouble, with Hawkins misleading customers and lenders, including selling vehicles without passing on proceeds and raising finance against vehicles he did not own [4][6] Impact on Victims - Dozens of customers and investors were affected, with significant financial losses incurred due to Hawkins' fraudulent activities, including the use of false documents to reassure creditors [6][8] - One notable case involved a widow who sold her late husband's Porsche for retirement funding, only to find the car sold without her knowledge, resulting in a loss of financial security [5][6] Legal Proceedings - Hawkins has been banned from acting as a company director for 10 years, and further proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act will consider confiscation of assets [7] - The judge characterized Hawkins' actions as a sustained course of dishonesty rather than a short-term lapse, highlighting the severe impact on victims [3][4]

Silver prices surged to fresh all-time highs on Wednesday, testing the $92 per ounce level, fueled by steady U.S. inflation and geopolitical instability, though analysts warn the vertical rally mirrors the prelude to the infamous 1980 market crash.Inflation And Geopolitics Fuel Historic SurgeSilver spot prices hit an all-time high of $91.564, trading firmly within the resistance zone of $90.15–$92.40 identified by market analysts. The metal is currently trading up 3.84% on the day at $90.2635.According to R ...

Group 1 - The article revisits Strategic Education (STRA) due to significant developments in the latest quarter [1] Group 2 - The author is an equity analyst and founder of a research firm focused on the U.S. restaurant industry, covering various sectors including consumer discretionary and food & beverage [2] - The research firm applies advanced financial modeling and sector-specific KPIs to uncover hidden value in public equities, particularly in micro and small caps [2]

Social Security is a key lifeline for millions of retired Americans. As of January 2026, the average monthly salary is $2,071, according to the Social Security Administration, indicating that a meaningful number of seniors receive five-figure annual payouts from this crucial program every year (1). However, for some retirees, the monthly payouts can be far larger. In fact, in 2026, the maximum monthly payment is set at $5,251. Those who receive this monthly amount can expect a total payment of roughly $63 ...

Core Viewpoint - Hays is presenting its Q2 2026 results, indicating a focus on financial performance and strategic direction for the upcoming year [2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Kean Marden serves as the Head of Investor Relations and M&A, highlighting the company's commitment to engaging with investors [2]. - James Hilton, the Chief Financial Officer, is also involved in the presentation, suggesting a collaborative approach to financial reporting [2]. Group 2: Conference Details - The conference is being recorded, and a replay will be accessible, indicating transparency and availability of information for stakeholders [3]. - Forward-looking statements will be made during the call, based on current expectations and assumptions, which may influence investor perceptions [3].

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America reported its fourth quarter 2025 financial results, with details available on its Investor Relations website and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025 were announced by Bank of America [1]. - Supplemental filings and investor presentations related to the financial results can be accessed online [1]. Group 2: Investor Conference Call - An investor conference call will be held at 8:30 a.m. ET, featuring CEO Brian Moynihan and CFO Alastair Borthwick discussing the financial results [2]. - Investors can join the call by dialing specific numbers provided for U.S. and international participants, with a conference ID for access [2]. Group 3: Accessing Conference Call Information - Live audio of the conference call and presentation slides will be available on the company's Investor Relations website [3]. - Replays of the investor conference call can be accessed from January 14 to January 23 through the Investor Relations website or by calling designated numbers [4]. Group 4: Company Overview - Bank of America is a leading global financial institution, providing a wide range of banking, investing, asset management, and risk management services [5]. - The company serves approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients through a network of about 3,600 retail financial centers and 15,000 ATMs, along with a strong digital banking presence [5]. - Bank of America operates in over 35 countries, offering industry-leading support to around 4 million small business households [5].