Russia’s grinding invasion of Ukraine has caused nearly 2 million military casualties - killed, wounded or missing - between the two countries, according to a new study by a US think tank. Moscow’s forces have borne the brunt of the losses, suffering as many as 325,000 killed out of an estimated total of 1.2 million casualties since invading Ukraine nearly four years ago, the Centre for Strategic ...
Russia’s grinding invasion of Ukraine has caused nearly 2 million military casualties - killed, wounded or missing - between the two countries, according to a new study by a US think tank. Moscow’s forces have borne the brunt of the losses, suffering as many as 325,000 killed out of an estimated total of 1.2 million casualties since invading Ukraine nearly four years ago, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found. “No major power has suffered anywhere near these numbers of casualties or fatalities in any war since World War II,” CSIS said, noting that “Russian forces are advancing remarkably slowly on the battlefield”. Advertisement The release of the report came days after negotiators from both Ukraine and Russia held US-brokered direct talks aimed at ending nearly four years of war. The talks were expected to continue on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. A billboard in St Petersburg advertising contract Russian military service. It reads: ‘New. Irreplaceable. Unmanned Systems Troops’. Photo: EPA Ukrainian forces have also suffered major losses - between 500,000 and 600,000 casualties, of which between 100,000 and 140,000 were killed - from February 2022 to December 2025, the think tank said.
Florin Raducu Ianas/iStock via Getty Images Underperforming Since Listing Smurfit Westrock Plc ( SW ), an Irish-based business that was created and listed only in July 2024 , by way of a strategic combination between the European-based integrated corrugated packaging manufacturer - Smurfit Kappa Group plc, and the North American-based paper packaging solutions expert - Westrock Company, hasn't yet...
Florin Raducu Ianas/iStock via Getty Images Underperforming Since Listing Smurfit Westrock Plc ( SW ), an Irish-based business that was created and listed only in July 2024 , by way of a strategic combination between the European-based integrated corrugated packaging manufacturer - Smurfit Kappa Group plc, and the North American-based paper packaging solutions expert - Westrock Company, hasn't yet managed to get going since it began life as a public company. To elaborate, SW which currently produces and sells a range of paper-based packaging (of differing characteristics) in 40 countries around the world (SW has three broad geographical segments- North America, Latin America, and Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific) has seen its stock contract by around 1% since it got listed, while its peers from the S&P 500 and materials space have surged ahead by around 22-27% during the same period. YCharts After 18 months of considerable volatility and no real progress, the fidelity of long-standing investors towards this stock may likely be wearing thin. However, we feel SW is still worth getting behind, more so at this juncture. Here are a few reasons why we believe in the investment case of SW. The Onset Of A More Profitable And Efficient North American Business While SW generates business from three broad regions across the world, the bulk of the business ( close to 60% ) comes from the North American region alone, and thus, developments in this territory are seen as a key driver of sentiment towards this stock. Passive observers of SW who take a cursory look may be troubled to note that corrugated container volumes from this region have been on a descent for multiple quarters now, with the most recent Q3 witnessing a doubling of the pace of declines to almost -9%. Prepared by the writer using data from the quarterly presentations However, don't fret, as this loss of volume is a very deliberate ploy by the management team to get rid of sub-par business volumes of ...
Sundry Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images If you remember, I expressed my cautious stance in my previous coverage of Toll Brothers, Inc. ( TOL ). And I believe that I made a good call considering the stubborn inflation and market uncertainty during the remainder of the year. Aside from that, the stock price remained flat and increased by barely 1%. Recently, I’ve seen more notable chang...
Sundry Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images If you remember, I expressed my cautious stance in my previous coverage of Toll Brothers, Inc. ( TOL ). And I believe that I made a good call considering the stubborn inflation and market uncertainty during the remainder of the year. Aside from that, the stock price remained flat and increased by barely 1%. Recently, I’ve seen more notable changes in its performance and outlook as demand may become muted. Even so, its valuation remains realistic as it appears to have already priced in the downside risk. Technicals adhere to it as momentum remains resilient despite its potential consolidation. Toll Brothers: How It Has Been Lately The housing market remains volatile but resilient as demand and supply dynamics continue to work hand in hand. Recession woes and housing bubble burst concerns are there, but homebuilders like Toll Brothers, Inc. still prove that they can handle things effectively. We can see it in its most recent performance. In Q3 2025, its operating revenue amounted to $3.42B , up by 2.7% YoY from $3.33B. Its home sales remained the primary growth driver as they increased by 4.7% YoY and comprised 99.7% of the total amount. This also completely offset the weakness in land sales and other revenues. Several factors helped it sustain its growth. One is the resilient demand in some of its regions. TOL had higher unit deliveries in states within the three markets, namely, North, Mid-Atlantic, and Pacific. Aside from that, it was able to raise the average price per unit. This proved that customers in the region remained resistant to inflation. Meanwhile, its two biggest markets faced some challenges. The consolation is that it maintained a strong pricing power in the Mountain region as the average price increased by 9.6% YoY. Revenues (TOL Q4 2025 Release ) However, one cannot simply brush off the weakening growth amid the mounting cost pressures. Note that revenue growth in my previous coverage was 8.0% . M...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Back in early November, I expressed my view that it was time for investors to take some profits in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited ( TSM ). I downgraded to a hold rating due to growth deceleration and valuation expansion, but since then, as shown in the chart below, the stock has gained another ~13%. Did I prematurely turn neutral on t...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Back in early November, I expressed my view that it was time for investors to take some profits in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited ( TSM ). I downgraded to a hold rating due to growth deceleration and valuation expansion, but since then, as shown in the chart below, the stock has gained another ~13%. Did I prematurely turn neutral on the stock? Today, we'll try to find out as we take a look at their latest earnings , capacity expansion plans, and the valuation, of course. Seeking Alpha Below, it is shown that TSMC's top-line growth has decelerated again, seemingly as a result of capacity limits. However, the company is racing to expand production in Taiwan and the United States. Furthermore, 2026 Q1 guidance is solid, and so the overall outlook is bright. The company's margins are also outstanding, so I view the correction in the forward P/E ratio as indicative of an attractive risk/reward right now. In hindsight, my downgrade of the stock to a hold was likely premature, and I was perhaps a bit overly cautious. Therefore, I've decided to upgrade back to a buy rating. Revenue Growth Slips Data by YCharts We'll start with a broad overview of TSMC's top-line results. For 2025 Q4, they reported revenues of $33.7 billion in USD terms. While this exceeds the guidance that they previously provided, as you can see in the growth chart above, there was a very notable deceleration from the previous quarter. In their local currency, there was also a very notable slowdown from 30.3% of growth to just 20.5%, and so there is some sluggishness occurring. In my previous update, I highlighted that production constraints seem to be holding the company back, and from these results, I would say that this remains a concern. On December 31st, it was reported that Nvidia ( NVDA ) approached TSMC with regard to increasing H200 production, but the initial response from the stock was only modestly positive. Investors didn't seem o...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Back in early November, I expressed my view that it was time for investors to take some profits in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited ( TSM ). I downgraded to a hold rating due to growth deceleration and valuation expansion, but since then, as shown in the chart below, the stock has gained another ~13%. Did I prematurely turn neutral on t...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Back in early November, I expressed my view that it was time for investors to take some profits in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited ( TSM ). I downgraded to a hold rating due to growth deceleration and valuation expansion, but since then, as shown in the chart below, the stock has gained another ~13%. Did I prematurely turn neutral on the stock? Today, we'll try to find out as we take a look at their latest earnings , capacity expansion plans, and the valuation, of course. Seeking Alpha Below, it is shown that TSMC's top-line growth has decelerated again, seemingly as a result of capacity limits. However, the company is racing to expand production in Taiwan and the United States. Furthermore, 2026 Q1 guidance is solid, and so the overall outlook is bright. The company's margins are also outstanding, so I view the correction in the forward P/E ratio as indicative of an attractive risk/reward right now. In hindsight, my downgrade of the stock to a hold was likely premature, and I was perhaps a bit overly cautious. Therefore, I've decided to upgrade back to a buy rating. Revenue Growth Slips Data by YCharts We'll start with a broad overview of TSMC's top-line results. For 2025 Q4, they reported revenues of $33.7 billion in USD terms. While this exceeds the guidance that they previously provided, as you can see in the growth chart above, there was a very notable deceleration from the previous quarter. In their local currency, there was also a very notable slowdown from 30.3% of growth to just 20.5%, and so there is some sluggishness occurring. In my previous update, I highlighted that production constraints seem to be holding the company back, and from these results, I would say that this remains a concern. On December 31st, it was reported that Nvidia ( NVDA ) approached TSMC with regard to increasing H200 production, but the initial response from the stock was only modestly positive. Investors didn't seem o...
Altimmune ( ALT ) entered into a securities purchase agreement with a new fundamental institutional investor for the purchase and sale of 17.05M shares pursuant to a registered direct offering. The offering is expected to result in gross proceeds of ~$75M. All the shares and pre-funded warrants in the offering are being offered by Altimmune. The offering is expected to close on or about January 29...
Altimmune ( ALT ) entered into a securities purchase agreement with a new fundamental institutional investor for the purchase and sale of 17.05M shares pursuant to a registered direct offering. The offering is expected to result in gross proceeds of ~$75M. All the shares and pre-funded warrants in the offering are being offered by Altimmune. The offering is expected to close on or about January 29, 2026. The net proceeds will be used to fund preparation for its upcoming Phase 3 trial in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. The stock price traded 3% higher on Tuesday during after-market hours of trading. More on Altimmune Altimmune: Pemvidutide's 48-Week Data Confirms The Market's Smokescreen Altimmune: Positives And Negatives Of The IMPACT Data And Recent Updates Altimmune, Inc. (ALT) Discusses Topline 48-Week Results From IMPACT Phase IIb Trial of Pemvidutide in MASH - Slideshow Altimmune gains on FDA breakthrough designation for MASH therapy Altimmune posts mid-stage trial data showing antifibrotic activity of lead asset in MASH
(RTTNews) - First Busey Corp. (BUSE) announced earnings for its fourth quarter that Increased from last year and beat the Street estimates. The company's earnings came in at $56.16 million, or $0.63 per share. This compares with $28.11 million, or $0.49 per share, last year. Excluding items, First Busey Corp. reported adjusted earnings of $60.60 million or $0.68 per share for the period. Analysts ...
(RTTNews) - First Busey Corp. (BUSE) announced earnings for its fourth quarter that Increased from last year and beat the Street estimates. The company's earnings came in at $56.16 million, or $0.63 per share. This compares with $28.11 million, or $0.49 per share, last year. Excluding items, First Busey Corp. reported adjusted earnings of $60.60 million or $0.68 per share for the period. Analysts on average had expected the company to earn $0.62 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company's revenue for the period rose 71.4% to $200.25 million from $116.80 million last year. First Busey Corp. earnings at a glance (GAAP) : -Earnings: $56.16 Mln. vs. $28.11 Mln. last year. -EPS: $0.63 vs. $0.49 last year. -Revenue: $200.25 Mln vs. $116.80 Mln last year. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
A group of construction workers have staged a demonstration at an upscale residential estate undergoing renovation in Hong Kong to demand that the contractor involved in the deadly Tai Po fire settle their unpaid wages, with two climbing up the erected scaffolding as part of the protest. About 15 workers on Wednesday held banners and chanted slogans outside Baguio Villa in Pok Fu Lam at around 9am...
A group of construction workers have staged a demonstration at an upscale residential estate undergoing renovation in Hong Kong to demand that the contractor involved in the deadly Tai Po fire settle their unpaid wages, with two climbing up the erected scaffolding as part of the protest. About 15 workers on Wednesday held banners and chanted slogans outside Baguio Villa in Pok Fu Lam at around 9am. The Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union said Prestige Construction & Engineering Co Limited owed them several months’ salary amounting to millions of dollars. In a video sent to the Post by the union, two workers are seen climbing up the scaffolding at Baguio Villa. One of them ascends to the seventh floor, while the other positions himself on the second floor. Advertisement Police received calls to investigate and said the incident did not affect traffic. The Fire Services Department deployed personnel to the scene after receiving a report of two workers located in dangerous positions who could potentially jump. Officers set up a rescue cushion beneath the scaffolding as a precaution. Fire Services Department officers set up a rescue cushion beneath the scaffolding at Baguio Villa on Wednesday. Photo: Handout Prestige was the contractor involved in the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court, a subsidised housing estate hit by a catastrophic fire that killed 168 people last November.
Base metals ’ rally this year will face headwinds as soaring prices and bullish sentiment clash with the reality of softer demand from manufacturers, especially in China, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. “The real producers on the ground, they start to respond negatively,” Trina Chen , co-head of equity research, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. “We’re seeing some pullback in demand....
Base metals ’ rally this year will face headwinds as soaring prices and bullish sentiment clash with the reality of softer demand from manufacturers, especially in China, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. “The real producers on the ground, they start to respond negatively,” Trina Chen , co-head of equity research, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. “We’re seeing some pullback in demand.” Metals from copper to aluminum have powered higher in the opening weeks of 2026, as global investors pile into industrial commodities in bets on tighter supply, a weaker US dollar, and Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts. Still, more cautious analysts have flagged weaker activity in China. Goldman’s most recent survey of the copper market showed order books at fabricators had fallen by 10% to 30% as users in industries from consumer electronics to hardware pulled back, Chen said. “Even grid orders are slowing,” she said, referring to electricity networks that are a mainstay of copper consumption in China, Asia’s largest economy. The LMEX Index — a catch-all measure of the main six materials traded on the London Metal Exchange — has climbed by about 7% this year. That’s left the index within touching distance of the record set in 2022. Benchmark copper futures rose to trade at $13,185 a ton on the LME, a little below the record reached earlier this month. Aluminum notched a three-year high in London, while the metal in Shanghai rose to an all-time high. “We are where we are because of fundamental support, and also the fund flows and the macro backdrop,” Chen said. “But we are sort of coming to a point — after the rapid surge of pricing — that these two no longer support each other.”
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability. But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition. Even among blue-chip stocks, not all investments are created equal - which is why we built StockStory to help you naviga...
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability. But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition. Even among blue-chip stocks, not all investments are created equal - which is why we built StockStory to help you navigate the market. That said, here are three S&P 500 stocks to steer clear of and a few alternatives to consider. Workday (WDAY) Market Cap: $49.6 billion Born from the vision of PeopleSoft founders after Oracle's hostile takeover of their previous company, Workday (NASDAQ:WDAY) provides cloud-based software for financial management, human resources, planning, and analytics to help organizations manage their business operations. Why Does WDAY Fall Short? Underwhelming ARR growth of 13.8% over the last year suggests the company faced challenges in acquiring and retaining long-term customers Estimated sales growth of 12.9% for the next 12 months implies demand will slow from its two-year trend Operating profits increased over the last year as the company gained some leverage on its fixed costs and became more efficient At $188.62 per share, Workday trades at 4.9x forward price-to-sales. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than WDAY. Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) Market Cap: $37.48 billion Born out of a 2018 merger between Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple, Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ:KDP) is a consumer staples powerhouse boasting a portfolio of beverages including sodas, coffees, and juices. Why Do We Think Twice About KDP? Annual sales growth of 5.8% over the last three years lagged behind its consumer staples peers as its large revenue base made it difficult to generate incremental demand Efficiency has decreased over the last year as its operating margin fell by 5.9 percentage points ROIC of 5.8% reflects management’s challenges in iden...