This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. Kenta Kon | Toyota Motor Toyota Motor’s finance chief, Kenta Kon, was promoted to president and chief executive officer of the automaker, effective April 1. Kon has been with the automaker since 1991 and has been CFO since July 2025. He succeeds Koji Sato, who was named CEO in 2023 to replace the company’s longtime leader Akio Toyoda. Sato will transition to the role of vice c ...

Core Insights - Booking Holdings has appointed Peer Bueller as the new CEO of KAYAK, succeeding Steve Hafner, who will transition to the role of Executive Chair [1][3] - Peer Bueller has been with KAYAK since 2016, initially as Chief Financial Officer and later as Chief Operating Officer, focusing on expansion and innovation [2][5] - Steve Hafner, a co-founder of KAYAK, has led the company for 22 years and will now focus on advancing AI innovation within Booking Holdings [3][4] Company Overview - KAYAK is a leading travel search engine under Booking Holdings, facilitating billions of queries to help users find flights, accommodations, rental cars, and vacation packages [7] - Booking Holdings operates in over 220 countries and territories, providing online travel services through brands like Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK, and OpenTable [8] Leadership Transition - Steve Hafner expressed confidence in Peer Bueller's leadership, highlighting his significant contributions to KAYAK's success [4] - Peer Bueller aims to enhance KAYAK's user experience and capitalize on growth opportunities as the new CEO [6]

Chair of Lumexa Imaging's Center for Quality will serve as the Radiological Society of North America's board liaison for government relations RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumexa Imaging (NASDAQ: LMRI), one of the nation's largest providers of outpatient imaging services, is proud to recognize Jennifer L. Kemp, MD, Chair of Lumexa Imaging's Center for Quality, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). "Dr. Kemp's election to the RSNA Boar ...

Core Insights - CrowdStrike (CRWD) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Seraphic Security to enhance its web browser security capabilities, addressing increased security risks associated with AI agents operating within browser sessions [1][10] Company Overview - Seraphic Security specializes in browser runtime security, providing protection directly within browser sessions across major browsers like Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox, allowing users to maintain their preferred browser without needing a specialized enterprise browser [2] Strategic Expansion - The acquisition will extend CrowdStrike's Falcon platform from endpoint protection to include browser security, integrating Seraphic's in-session browser visibility with Falcon's endpoint telemetry and threat intelligence, thereby enhancing security from endpoints to browsers to the cloud [3][10] Use Cases and Security Goals - CrowdStrike aims to address several critical use cases, including preventing data theft during browser sessions, stopping phishing and session hijacking, and improving web-based data loss prevention, particularly for unmanaged devices and third-party access [4] Financial Outlook - The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with browser security anticipated to become a significant growth driver over time. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year revenue increase of approximately 21% for both fiscal 2026 and 2027 [5] Competitive Landscape - Key competitors such as Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and Okta Inc. (OKTA) are also focusing on acquisitions for platform expansion and AI innovation, with Palo Alto Networks acquiring Chronosphere for $3.35 billion and Okta acquiring Axiom Security to enhance privileged access management [6][7] Valuation Metrics - CrowdStrike's shares have decreased by 4.8% over the past three months, compared to a 7.2% decline in the Zacks Security industry. The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 20.40, significantly higher than the industry average of 12.65 [8][12] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CrowdStrike's fiscal 2026 earnings suggests a year-over-year decline of 5.6%, while fiscal 2027 earnings are expected to grow by 28.7%. Recent revisions indicate upward adjustments of 4 cents and 3 cents for fiscal 2026 and 2027 estimates, respectively [15]

Company Overview - OneStream is a financial software maker based in Birmingham, Michigan, providing products that assist executives in reporting financial statements to regulators and investors [3] - The company serves notable clients including Toyota, UPS, News Corp, and General Dynamics [3] - OneStream offers AI-driven financial forecasting tools and competes with major enterprise software providers such as Oracle, SAP, and Workday [3] Acquisition Details - Hg Capital has agreed to acquire OneStream in an all-cash deal valued at $6.4 billion, with shareholders receiving $24 per share, reflecting a 31% premium over OneStream's closing price on the previous Monday [1] - The stock price of OneStream increased by over 28% in afternoon trading following the announcement of the acquisition [1] - The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, with J.P. Morgan Securities acting as the financial adviser to OneStream [5] Market Context - OneStream went public in July 2024 under the majority ownership of KKR, but has faced challenges in maintaining its valuation due to a weaker macroeconomic environment affecting investor interest in growth-focused tech stocks [4] - The company's initial public offering (IPO) was priced at $26, giving it a valuation of nearly $6 billion, while its market capitalization was approximately $4.48 billion as of the previous Monday [4] - Global mergers and acquisitions activity has shown a steady rebound in 2025, despite uncertainties related to U.S. tariff policies and geopolitical conflicts [2]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on global equities, expecting a rise of around 15% by the end of 2026, driven by strong performance in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and utilities [125][126]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the potential of AI and innovation to drive market growth, suggesting that these trends could help economies achieve "escape velocity" from traditional economic constraints [5][27]. - It highlights the importance of capital expenditure (capex) in AI, projecting a cumulative USD 4.7 trillion in global AI capex between 2026 and 2030, with USD 571 billion expected in 2026 [58][70]. - The longevity market is anticipated to grow significantly, with annual revenues projected to reach USD 8 trillion by 2030, driven by advancements in healthcare and technology [90][91]. Summary by Sections Growth - AI-linked innovation is identified as a key driver of market performance, with IT and communication services stocks accounting for 36% of the MSCI AC World index [48][49]. - The report projects that AI can automate a third of tasks, potentially generating around USD 2 trillion in annual revenues from end-users [60][62]. Economic Backdrop - The economic outlook for 2026 is supportive, with expected real GDP growth of close to 2% in the US and over 1% in the Eurozone, driven by fiscal stimulus and improving consumer confidence [102][106]. - In Asia, growth is expected to remain robust at just under 5%, with China focusing on technology innovation and industrial upgrades [109][110]. Investment Opportunities - The report recommends allocating up to 30% of equity portfolios to structural growth ideas, particularly in AI, power and resources, and longevity sectors [70][96]. - Commodities are highlighted as attractive investments due to supply constraints and rising demand, with copper prices expected to exceed USD 13,000 per metric ton in 2026 [85][88]. Sector Focus - The US healthcare sector is expected to benefit from improved policy clarity and growing markets, particularly in obesity and oncology [128][129]. - Utilities are favored due to AI-driven power demand and ongoing infrastructure investments, with significant earnings growth anticipated [129][130]. Currency and Diversification - The report suggests favoring the euro and Australian dollar over the US dollar, anticipating that US rate cuts may weigh on the greenback [45][46]. - A diversified investment approach is recommended, including alternatives like hedge funds and private markets to mitigate risks [45][46].

Core Insights - CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) is leveraging partnerships to drive growth and enhance its market presence, particularly through the Falcon platform [1] Partnerships and Growth - The partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) allows CrowdStrike's Falcon Next-Generation Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) to be integrated directly into AWS Security Hub, facilitating easier access for AWS customers [2] - Collaborations with global system integrators like EY, Deloitte, and Wipro are enabling CrowdStrike to attract large enterprise clients looking to upgrade from legacy security tools [3] - The partnership with F5 enables Falcon to operate on F5 appliances, enhancing infrastructure security, while the Kroll partnership is transitioning approximately 500,000 endpoints to Falcon, targeting mid-market customer segments [4] Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a revenue increase of around 21% year-over-year for both fiscal 2026 and 2027 [5] - CrowdStrike's shares have decreased by 2.4% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's decline of 8.4% [8] - The forward price-to-sales ratio for CrowdStrike is 21.23, significantly higher than the industry average of 11.79 [12] - Earnings estimates indicate a decline of 5.6% for fiscal 2026, followed by a growth of 28.7% for fiscal 2027, with recent upward revisions of 4 cents and 3 cents respectively [15]

Core Insights - CrowdStrike's Falcon Flex model is rapidly growing and is integral to the company's expansion strategy, with Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) from Falcon Flex customers reaching $1.35 billion in Q3 fiscal 2026, more than tripling from the previous year [1][9] Group 1: Falcon Flex Growth and Impact - Falcon Flex facilitates quicker adoption of new modules without lengthy contract processes, resulting in increased platform usage and strong re-Flex activity, with over 200 customers expanding their contracts in Q3 [2][9] - The model is driving growth in key product areas such as Next-Generation Security Information and Event Management, cloud security, identity security, and endpoint protection, as it reduces procurement friction and encourages multi-module adoption [3][9] - Falcon Flex is expected to remain a significant growth engine for CrowdStrike, contributing to increased ARR, larger deal sizes, and deeper platform utilization, with revenue estimates indicating a year-over-year increase of around 21% for fiscal 2026 and 2027 [4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Palo Alto Networks and SentinelOne are also experiencing growth through platform expansion and AI innovations, with Palo Alto Networks reporting a 29% year-over-year increase in its Next-Gen Security ARR in Q1 fiscal 2026 [5] - SentinelOne achieved a 23% year-over-year growth in its ARR for Q3 fiscal 2026, driven by the adoption of its AI-first Singularity platform [6] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - CrowdStrike's shares have increased by 9.6% over the past three months, contrasting with a 3.3% decline in the Zacks Security industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 21.56, significantly higher than the industry average of 11.83 [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CrowdStrike's fiscal 2026 earnings suggests a year-over-year decline of 5.6%, while fiscal 2027 earnings are expected to grow by 28.8%, with recent upward revisions in estimates [14]

Economic Overview - China's economy is currently unbalanced, with a significant trade surplus of over $1 trillion, but internal economic indicators are weak, including low consumer confidence and high precautionary savings [2][3] - Retail sales in China rose only 1.3% in December, marking the lowest growth rate outside of the COVID pandemic [3] - The Chinese government is maintaining its focus on advanced manufacturing and innovation rather than implementing social welfare reforms that could reduce savings tendencies [4] Chinese Market Insights - Despite strong exports, Chinese stocks are experiencing gains that appear disconnected from the underlying economy, primarily driven by AI innovation [5] - Earnings forecasts for Chinese companies are being cut, indicating a need for stabilization in earnings for future stock gains [5] U.S. Economic Data - The U.S. is expecting a jobs report with a projected addition of only 50,000 jobs, reflecting further weakness in the labor market [8][10] - The unemployment rate is anticipated to rise to 4.5%, which could lead to lower yields in the bond market if job growth falls short of expectations [10] Global Central Bank Actions - A series of central bank meetings are scheduled, highlighting the divergence in monetary policy between the Fed and other major central banks, with the Bank of England likely nearing the end of its easing cycle and the Bank of Japan expected to hike rates [12][15] - The Eurozone composite PMI rose to its highest level in two and a half years, indicating potential economic growth rebound in Europe next year [14] Fixed Income Market Outlook - The global fixed income market had a strong performance in 2025, particularly for international and emerging market bonds, largely due to a decline in the dollar [16][17] - There is an expectation for continued positive returns in international bonds going into 2026, driven by potential further downside on the dollar [17][18]

RT Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47)President Donald J. Trump signs an Executive Order to protect American AI innovation from an inconsistent and costly compliance regime resulting from varying state laws."We have to be unified. China is unified..." https://t.co/II9gz5yDx7 ...