Silicon Valley is fueled by digital ingenuity, but the founders of tech companies have been known to walk into offices on Sand Hill Road with printed pitch decks. Outsiders are baffled by this contradiction, but venture capitalists know something fundamental about human psychology and decision making. Physical materials are processed by the brain differently than [...]
Prediction markets suggest investors expect Intel's upcoming earnings call to focus on tariffs, Nvidia and key products—while avoiding Apple and political figures—even as Wall Street braces for weaker year-over-year revenue and earnings.
Bill Gates and OpenAI are launching a $50 million AI initiative, Horizon1000, to improve efficiency and patient care in African clinics—starting in Rwanda—amid declining international health aid.
Commodity price spikes in early 2026 are driven by a convergence of long-term under-investment, monetary inflation, and geopolitical conflicts. Markets like tin remain acutely vulnerable due to supply disruptions in Myanmar and the DRC.
News of updates to Apple Intelligence, including a revamped Siri, is seen as central to Apple’s push to regain footing in the AI market, where it has trailed Silicon Valley peers.
Chinese equities are rallying through December and January. Beijing's efforts in a Tariff-driven world seem to be working. The yuan strengthened against the dollar and Chinese ETFs are pushing higher.
Digital imaging and instrumentation provider Teledyne (NYSE:TDY) reported Q4 CY2025 results exceeding the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 7.3% year on year to $1.61 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $6.30 per share was 8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.
WaFd Bank’s fourth quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, as revenue growth was offset by persistent margin pressure and rising nonperforming loans. Management attributed the year-on-year sales increase to stronger performance in commercial and industrial lending, as well as disciplined expense control. However, CEO Brent Beardall noted that elevated nonaccrual loans and a shift towards lower-yielding mortgage-backed securities put additional strain on the bank’s net interest margin. CFO Kelli Holz pointed out, “The net interest margin was 2.7% in the December quarter, with margin pressure largely tied to nonaccrual interest and investment purchases.”
First Horizon’s fourth quarter results were marked by notable revenue and profit outperformance compared to Wall Street expectations, prompting a positive market response. Management credited the quarter’s momentum to disciplined deposit cost management, expanded lending to mortgage companies, and robust performance across the commercial and industrial loan portfolio. CEO D. Bryan Jordan noted, “We delivered increased pre-provision net revenue and return on tangible common equity, hitting 15% in 2025.” Fee income also rose, supported by higher activity in equipment finance leasing. Meanwhile, the bank maintained tight control of credit quality and continued to return capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
Morgan Stanley’s fourth quarter was characterized by strong contributions from both its wealth and institutional securities businesses, resulting in a performance that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations and prompted a significant positive market reaction. Management attributed the robust quarter to accelerating asset inflows in wealth management, rising activity in investment banking, and expanding client engagement across the firm’s global footprint. CEO Ted Pick highlighted that “the firm is running at a higher run rate,” with multiyear investments in technology and the integration of key acquisitions supporting operating leverage and share gains. The company also cited improved margins in both wealth and institutional securities segments as central to the quarter’s results.
Property and casualty insurer Travelers (NYSE:TRV) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q4 CY2025, with sales up 3.2% year on year to $12.45 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $11.13 per share was 26.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.
Insteel’s fourth quarter results were below Wall Street’s revenue expectations, and the market responded negatively. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to continued strong demand for concrete reinforcing products, especially in commercial and infrastructure markets, as well as the integration of last year’s acquisitions. CFO Scot Jafroodi noted, “First quarter shipments... increased 3.8% year-over-year,” and highlighted that higher selling prices and wider spreads between selling prices and raw material costs supported profit improvement. However, persistent supply constraints in domestic wire rod and rising input costs weighed on results, resulting in a cautious outlook from leadership.
Goldman Sachs delivered a fourth quarter that exceeded Wall Street’s revenue and profit expectations, prompting a significant positive market reaction. Management attributed the outperformance to robust investment banking activity, record asset and wealth management inflows, and progress on narrowing the firm’s strategic focus. CEO David Solomon highlighted the firm’s leading M&A advisory franchise and ongoing gains in equity and fixed income financing, noting, “We maintained our position as the number one M&A adviser in investment banking and number one equities franchise.” The successful transition of the Apple Card portfolio also contributed to the bottom line, aided by a reserve release that more than offset the related revenue decline.
Regional banking company BankUnited (NYSE:BKU) reported Q4 CY2025 results exceeding the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 9.1% year on year to $291.6 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.94 per share was 5.5% above analysts’ consensus estimates.
