The alpine village of Alvaneu, Graubunden canton, Switzerland Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld | Moment | Getty Images Safe haven assets are off to a good start in 2026, with widespread uncertainty sending gold and silver to new records and the Swiss franc trading at decade highs. But in Switzerland, policymakers are watching with apprehension. The Swiss franc has already gained 3.5% against the U.S. do...
The alpine village of Alvaneu, Graubunden canton, Switzerland Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld | Moment | Getty Images Safe haven assets are off to a good start in 2026, with widespread uncertainty sending gold and silver to new records and the Swiss franc trading at decade highs. But in Switzerland, policymakers are watching with apprehension. The Swiss franc has already gained 3.5% against the U.S. dollar this year, driven higher amid unpredictable U.S. trade policy, questions over the independence of the Federal Reserve, and the threat of American military intervention in Greenland, Latin America and the Middle East. That comes after it strengthened 12.7% against the greenback in 2025. On Tuesday, it touched on an 11-year high against the dollar, hovering near those levels on Wednesday morning even as it pared back gains. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Swiss franc "Further escalation, geopolitically, means more uncertainty," Swiss National Bank Chairman Martin Schlegel told CNBC's Karen Tso on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland, last week. "It's not good for the Swiss franc or for Switzerland, because the Swiss franc is a safe haven. Whenever there is uncertainty in the world, the Swiss franc appreciates, and this makes monetary policy more complicated for Swiss National Bank." watch now VIDEO 6:07 06:07 SNB's Schlegel: Negative rates possible if Swiss franc stays strong Davos 2026: World Economic Forum Unlike regional powers, Switzerland is battling sluggish price growth, and a strengthening franc could add further disinflationary pressure to the country's export-driven economy. "The Swiss franc remains strong in part because demand for many Swiss exports is relatively price-inelastic," Giuliano Bianchi, Co-Founder, Quantitas Institute, EHL Hospitality Business School, told CNBC. He noted that in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, precision manufacturing and high-value services, currency appreciation does little to reduce foreign dem...
Google must make sure publishers get a “fairer deal” in how their content is used in the tech giant’s AI Overviews and make it easier for people to switch search services under proposals outlined by Britain’s competition watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has tabled a series of proposed measures to improve Google’s search services in the UK after it designated the firm with so-c...
Google must make sure publishers get a “fairer deal” in how their content is used in the tech giant’s AI Overviews and make it easier for people to switch search services under proposals outlined by Britain’s competition watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has tabled a series of proposed measures to improve Google’s search services in the UK after it designated the firm with so-called strategic market status in October for its “substantial and entrenched market power” in the sector. The conduct requirements include giving publishers – including news and other content creators – more choice and transparency over how their content is used in Google’s artificial intelligence-based search feature, AI Overviews. Google will also be required to demonstrate to the CMA and users that it ranks search results fairly, including in AI Overviews and AI Mode, as part of the plans. The CMA is proposing making it a legal requirement that people are given a default choice screen on Android mobiles and the Chrome browser to make it easier to switch search services. The regulator also wants Google to allow for data portability to make it easier for people and businesses to make use of search findings. Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: “Today is an important milestone as we consult on the first conduct requirements under the digital markets competition regime in the UK. “These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google’s search services – as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy. “They would also provide a fairer deal for content publishers, particularly news organisations, over how their content is used in Google’s AI Overviews.” The CMA will now consult on the measures, with a deadline for feedback of February 25. The move marks the first time the CMA has used new powers to set conduct requirements af...
V.F. Corp press release ( VFC ): Q3 Non-GAAP EPS of $0.58 beats by $0.14 . Revenue of $2.88B (+1.8% Y/Y) beats by $120M . Q4'26 and FY'26 Financial Outlook 1 Q4'26: Revenue flat to +2% C$ vs. LY Adjusted OI of $10M to $30M FY'26: Free cash flow up vs. LY Adjusted OI up vs. LY Operating cash flow up vs. LY FYE'26 leverage at or below 3.5x, progressing towards medium-term target More on V.F. Corp V....
V.F. Corp press release ( VFC ): Q3 Non-GAAP EPS of $0.58 beats by $0.14 . Revenue of $2.88B (+1.8% Y/Y) beats by $120M . Q4'26 and FY'26 Financial Outlook 1 Q4'26: Revenue flat to +2% C$ vs. LY Adjusted OI of $10M to $30M FY'26: Free cash flow up vs. LY Adjusted OI up vs. LY Operating cash flow up vs. LY FYE'26 leverage at or below 3.5x, progressing towards medium-term target More on V.F. Corp V.F. Corporation (VFC) Presents at ICR Conference 2026 Transcript V.F. Corp.: Continued Drag From Lackluster Brand Power V.F. Corp.: Turnaround Increasingly Distant And Uncertain V.F. Corp Q3 2026 Earnings Preview Engaged Capital takes new position in BlackLine, Cognex, lowers stake in Evolent Health in Q3 moves
Sundry Photography SK hynix ( HXSC.F ) reported record revenue and operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2025 as the rapid development of AI infrastructure boosted demand for memory chips. The South Korean company's fourth quarter operating profit surged 137% year-over-year to 19.17T won. The figure surpassed average analysts' estimate of 16.7T won, Bloomberg News reported . "Growth momentum ...
Sundry Photography SK hynix ( HXSC.F ) reported record revenue and operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2025 as the rapid development of AI infrastructure boosted demand for memory chips. The South Korean company's fourth quarter operating profit surged 137% year-over-year to 19.17T won. The figure surpassed average analysts' estimate of 16.7T won, Bloomberg News reported . "Growth momentum accelerated further in the fourth quarter. In addition to HBM, demand on conventional memory solutions for servers increased sharply, to which SK hynix responded proactively. As a result, the company achieved record-high quarterly performance across all three indicators, with revenue rising 34% to 32.8267 trillion won, operating profit surging 68% to 19.1696 trillion won, and operating margin reaching 58% quarter-on-quarter," said the company in its earnings release on Wednesday. The company's fourth quarter revenue surged 66% year-over-year to 32.83T won. SK hynix also said it saw record financial results in full year 2025 – 97.15T won in revenue, 47.21T won in operating profit, and 42.95T won in net profit. The company noted that, in addition to high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, demand for conventional memory solutions for servers increased sharply, to which it responded proactively. South Korean company SK hynix ( HXSC.F ) is a major supplier of HBM chips to Nvidia ( NVDA ) and competes with compatriot Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF ) and American company Micron Technology ( MU ). SK hynix said that in the dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, segment, HBM revenue more than doubled year-on-year, making a significant contribution to the company’s record performance. Conventional DRAM entered full-scale mass production of the 1cnm process, or the sixth generation of the 10-nanometer technology. The company noted that as the AI market shifts from training to inference while demand for distributed architectures expands, the role of memory will become increasingly critical. "Accor...
These aren't high-growth businesses, but they're as reliable as they come. For many people, "I invest in dividend stocks" doesn't have the same ring to it as investing in "the next big thing." But the former can often be just as lucrative, if not more so. Even relatively small dividends compound and add up over the years. There's also a peace that comes with knowing that you'll be rewarded for hol...
These aren't high-growth businesses, but they're as reliable as they come. For many people, "I invest in dividend stocks" doesn't have the same ring to it as investing in "the next big thing." But the former can often be just as lucrative, if not more so. Even relatively small dividends compound and add up over the years. There's also a peace that comes with knowing that you'll be rewarded for holding a stock regardless of how its price moves. That's why you shouldn't just go searching for high yields; you should invest in companies built to maintain their dividend for the long haul. That's how you truly get the most value from your dividend stocks. If you're looking to add dividend stocks to your portfolio, each of the following three options is a go-to you can confidently hold for the next 20 years. 1. Chevron Chevron (CVX +0.94%) is the second-largest U.S. oil company, operating across three main segments of the value chain: upstream, midstream, and downstream. Upstream involves exploration and extraction; midstream involves transportation, processing, and storing; and downstream involves refining products and selling them to consumers. Having a hand in all three segments helps Chevron weather segment-specific downturns, price swings, and disruptions caused by geopolitical events. It's not foolproof, but it's better than relying on one part of the oil business in many cases. Expand NYSE : CVX Chevron Today's Change ( 0.94 %) $ 1.57 Current Price $ 169.07 Key Data Points Market Cap $340B Day's Range $ 166.70 - $ 169.35 52wk Range $ 132.04 - $ 169.37 Volume 259 Avg Vol 9.5M Gross Margin 13.60 % Dividend Yield 4.05 % Over the past decade, Chevron has averaged a dividend yield of around 4.2%, more than 2.5 times the S&P 500 average in that span. It provides high income and stability, with 38 consecutive years of annual payout increases. The oil industry can be cyclical, but you don't have to worry about Chevron's dividend at any point. Its finances comfortably suppor...
Elevance Health press release ( ELV ): Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $3.33 beats by $0.24 . Revenue of $49.3B (+9.6% Y/Y) misses by $130M . The benefit expense ratio was 93.5 percent in the fourth quarter, an increase of 110 basis points compared to the prior year period. Days in Claims Payable was 41.3 days as of December 31, 2025, a decrease of 0.1 days from September 30, 2025, and a decrease of 1.9 days c...
Elevance Health press release ( ELV ): Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $3.33 beats by $0.24 . Revenue of $49.3B (+9.6% Y/Y) misses by $130M . The benefit expense ratio was 93.5 percent in the fourth quarter, an increase of 110 basis points compared to the prior year period. Days in Claims Payable was 41.3 days as of December 31, 2025, a decrease of 0.1 days from September 30, 2025, and a decrease of 1.9 days compared to December 31, 2024. Operating cash flow was $4.3 billion in 2025, approximately 0.8 times GAAP net income. As of December 31, 2025, cash and investments at the parent company totaled approximately $2.6 billion. Projected FY 2026 GAAP diluted EPS 1 to be at least $22.30. Projected FY 2026 adjusted diluted EPS 2 to be at least $25.50 vs $26.80 consensus . Returned $4.1 billion of capital to shareholders in 2025. Reaffirming long-term earnings algorithm; recalibrating segment margin targets. Elevance Health Financial Guidance Summary (Unaudited) Full Year 2025 Actual Full Year 2026 Outlook Premium Revenue $164.6 billion Mid single digit decline Product Revenue $24.5 billion Mid single digit growth Service Fees $8.5 billion Mid single digit growth Total Operating Revenue $197.6 billion Low single digit decline Benefit Expense Ratio 90.0% 90.2% +/- 50 bps Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio 10.5% 10.6% +/- 50 bps Adjusted Operating Gain $7.5 billion At least $6.8 billion Other Pre-Tax Items: Net Investment income $2,194 million $1,875 million Interest Expense ($1,402) million ($1,530) million Amortization of Intangible Assets ($628) million ($440) million Adjusted Effective Tax Rate 17.6% 22.0% - 24.0% GAAP Diluted EPS $25.21 At least $22.30 Adjusted Diluted EPS $30.29 At least $25.50 vs $26.80 consensus Diluted Shares 224.6 million 219-220 million Operating Cash Flow $4.3 billion At least $5.5 billion Segment Level Guidance Metrics Operating Revenue Growth Rate Health Benefits $167.1 billion Low single digit decline CarelonRx $43.4 billion Low single digit growth Carelon...
Amazon.com said Wednesday it will cut 16,000 jobs as the online retailer completes its largest-ever corporate layoffs. The latest cuts will bring Amazon’s total layoffs to roughly 30,000 after it said last October it would eliminate around 14,000 roles. Put together, the announcements suggest Amazon is slashing nearly 10% of its corporate workforce.
Amazon.com said Wednesday it will cut 16,000 jobs as the online retailer completes its largest-ever corporate layoffs. The latest cuts will bring Amazon’s total layoffs to roughly 30,000 after it said last October it would eliminate around 14,000 roles. Put together, the announcements suggest Amazon is slashing nearly 10% of its corporate workforce.
Scabies is not usually serious but does need to be treated, normally by applying an over-the-counter cream or lotion to the entire body, with the treatment repeated seven days later. Every person in an affected household needs to be treated at the same time.
Scabies is not usually serious but does need to be treated, normally by applying an over-the-counter cream or lotion to the entire body, with the treatment repeated seven days later. Every person in an affected household needs to be treated at the same time.
Amazon.com announced plans to terminate about 16,000 corporate employees, only a few months after announcing it was cutting 14,000 roles. The company will offer US-based employees 90 days to search for a new role internally, as well as severance and other transition support. Mandeep Singh of Bloomberg Intelligence has more.
Amazon.com announced plans to terminate about 16,000 corporate employees, only a few months after announcing it was cutting 14,000 roles. The company will offer US-based employees 90 days to search for a new role internally, as well as severance and other transition support. Mandeep Singh of Bloomberg Intelligence has more.
spawns/E+ via Getty Images Quest Diagnostics ( DGX ), the New Jersey-based healthcare services firm focused on diagnostic testing and related solutions, has its next earnings call in a few weeks on Feb. 10, so it hit my radar again for a follow-up, considering it is up around +8% since my July 2025 buy rating and up around +2% since I called it a buy again this past October . In both coverages, tw...
spawns/E+ via Getty Images Quest Diagnostics ( DGX ), the New Jersey-based healthcare services firm focused on diagnostic testing and related solutions, has its next earnings call in a few weeks on Feb. 10, so it hit my radar again for a follow-up, considering it is up around +8% since my July 2025 buy rating and up around +2% since I called it a buy again this past October . In both coverages, two key bullish drivers were macro demand for diagnostic testing as well as impressive profit margins, so today we will explore some additional angles of this stock and dive into some data from the most recent earnings results that came after my last article. Thesis Summary My updated thesis on Quest argues that my prior 2 buy ratings should be reaffirmed yet again, and my continued bullishness is driven by Quest's strong market position in its niche along with demand for clinical testing, despite payor risk, and also a proven model of driving strong margins in its peer group, organic business growth, investment-grade credit ratings, and expected further price upside. My insights worksheet below shows what categories drove this updated score today: Quest - rating worksheet (author) Actionable Insights Macro & Sector Outlook Regarding this niche sector within healthcare, I want to continue echoing the projected macro demand, considering that since my last article, the research firm Research and Markets was cited in a major financial site in November, saying, "The clinical laboratory services market is expected to increase from USD $251.9MM in 2025 to USD $358.6MM by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4%. " However, there has been potential headwind pressure at the public policy level ever since the US Congress passed PAMA some years ago, aimed at " comprehensive reforms to how Medicare pays for laboratory tests. " Back in Q3 remarks , Chairman and CEO Jim Davis remarked, " If Congress does not reform or delay PAMA this year, American labs will be forced to absorb significant payment c...