Hong Kong customs has arrested four people and seized HK$140 million (US$18 million) worth of slimming and cosmetic injections, along with erectile dysfunction pills, in a crackdown on smuggled illicit medicines. The suspects, aged between 26 and 61, comprise two mainland Chinese men and two local women, the Customs and Excise Department said on Monday. Investigations are ongoing, and the departme...
Hong Kong customs has arrested four people and seized HK$140 million (US$18 million) worth of slimming and cosmetic injections, along with erectile dysfunction pills, in a crackdown on smuggled illicit medicines. The suspects, aged between 26 and 61, comprise two mainland Chinese men and two local women, the Customs and Excise Department said on Monday. Investigations are ongoing, and the department has not ruled out further arrests. The department said that since stepping up enforcement in...
Henadzi Pechan/iStock via Getty Images It has only been two months since my previous coverage of Landstar System, Inc. ( LSTR ). And yet, we have already seen notable changes, which justifies my downgrade from strong buy to buy. True to the title of my previous article, LSTR really did reach my target price of $155.69 and even exceeded it before selling pressures took over and dragged it down to $...
Henadzi Pechan/iStock via Getty Images It has only been two months since my previous coverage of Landstar System, Inc. ( LSTR ). And yet, we have already seen notable changes, which justifies my downgrade from strong buy to buy. True to the title of my previous article, LSTR really did reach my target price of $155.69 and even exceeded it before selling pressures took over and dragged it down to $142.69. I can’t blame the market due to the existing structural industry challenges, macroeconomic volatility, and even AI. Despite this, LSTR’s fundamentals and operational efficiency ensure its resilience and durability. Nonetheless, caution has become more logical as valuation now shows limited upside. This is in line with the technicals that show early bearish tendencies, although buying opportunities are present. LSTR Q4 2025: Challenges Persist Even now, macroeconomic headwinds are still visible amid the rising cost pressures and softer demand. Freight and logistics are among the first to experience the blow due to their changing rates and volumes/loads. Landstar System, Inc. is no exception as its lackluster growth continues. Despite this, its asset-light and well-diversified business model provides it with some insulation. But of course, this was not enough to compensate for the weaker market dynamics. During Q4 2025, its operating revenue amounted to $1.17B , down by 2.9% YoY from $1.21B. Up to this point, LSTR still does not indicate a strong rebound anytime soon. If you remember, the YoY revenue increase in my previous coverage was 0.7%. Weaker demand and pricing power in platform truckload, ocean cargo, and other truck carriers were evident. Stubborn inflation and tariff woes still had an effect on the market, so it's not surprising that LSTR was also affected despite some nuances in its business model. On a lighter note, its LTL rate and loads increased, suggesting that it continued to benefit from the LTL market undercapacity. Rail intermodal also had some str...
The Semiconductor Precision Parts Market is projected to grow from USD 20.25 Billion in 2024 to USD 33.09 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.53%. Key growth drivers include expanding global chip production capacity across APAC, North America, and Europe. Rising adoption of EUV lithography, 3D ICs, and advanced packaging is accelerating demand. Major investments by TSMC, Intel, and Samsung are boostin...
The Semiconductor Precision Parts Market is projected to grow from USD 20.25 Billion in 2024 to USD 33.09 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.53%. Key growth drivers include expanding global chip production capacity across APAC, North America, and Europe. Rising adoption of EUV lithography, 3D ICs, and advanced packaging is accelerating demand. Major investments by TSMC, Intel, and Samsung are boosting precision parts requirements. Government initiatives supporting AI and ML are influencing market e
Krystal Biotech (NASDAQ: KRYS) and ARS Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SPRY) have been gaining a lot of attention over the past year, thanks to the potential in their groundbreaking -- and for now, only -- commercial therapies. In 2023, Krystal pioneered Vyjuvek, the first topical genetic therapy and first treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, ...
Krystal Biotech (NASDAQ: KRYS) and ARS Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SPRY) have been gaining a lot of attention over the past year, thanks to the potential in their groundbreaking -- and for now, only -- commercial therapies. In 2023, Krystal pioneered Vyjuvek, the first topical genetic therapy and first treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin disorder. In 2024, ARS Pharma got FDA approval for Neffy, a nasal spray that's the first epinephrine product for the treatment of anaphylaxis that is not administered by injection. Both biotechs are working to expand the labels for their lead therapies while using their growing revenues to fund their pipelines. Like any biotech with only one commercialized treatment, each stock presents significant risks, but has considerable upside potential as well. Continue reading
Myanmar ’s military government ordered East Timor ’s senior diplomat to leave the country after judicial authorities from the fellow Southeast Asian country accepted a criminal complaint against Myanmar’s armed forces, state media said on Monday. The move sharply escalates tensions between the two countries and is a rare step between members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which Eas...
Myanmar ’s military government ordered East Timor ’s senior diplomat to leave the country after judicial authorities from the fellow Southeast Asian country accepted a criminal complaint against Myanmar’s armed forces, state media said on Monday. The move sharply escalates tensions between the two countries and is a rare step between members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which East Timor joined only last year. There was no immediate response from East Timor’s government when...
Protecting wealth in times of war is difficult as normal economic activity is curtailed and governments print money and borrow heavily to fund its military needs.
Protecting wealth in times of war is difficult as normal economic activity is curtailed and governments print money and borrow heavily to fund its military needs.
mediaphotos/iStock via Getty Images Tenaris: A Proxy for Rigs Tenaris ( TS , TNRSF ) is probably one of the most underfollowed companies that plays a global role in a key industry. In fact, as I already explained when I initiated my coverage of the company , it is one of the leading manufacturers of steel pipes for the oil and gas industry. It specializes in oil country tubular goods (OCTG), and i...
mediaphotos/iStock via Getty Images Tenaris: A Proxy for Rigs Tenaris ( TS , TNRSF ) is probably one of the most underfollowed companies that plays a global role in a key industry. In fact, as I already explained when I initiated my coverage of the company , it is one of the leading manufacturers of steel pipes for the oil and gas industry. It specializes in oil country tubular goods (OCTG), and it is also at the forefront of offshore and onshore pipeline manufacturing technology. It is truly spread worldwide, with manufacturing, R&D, and service centers on every continent. I Tenaris Annual Report It has a well-diversified customer base since it serves most of the large oil companies. At first glance, we could think that Tenaris is just a proxy for steel prices. But this is far from the truth since Tenaris' products belong to the premium category and come together with the company's technological know-how, its logistics support, and its execution. Being exposed to upstream companies, Tenaris is cyclical. Simply said, when oil and gas operators drill, Tenaris sells more pipes, and its margins improve. When drilling decelerates, so do Tenaris' sales, and its margins compress. So, we could say that Tenaris is perhaps a proxy for active rigs. As we can see, the latest analysis that the EIA released shows that the most recent rig peak was in December 2022. Right now, we are seeing mildly declining activity, which makes some analysts believe that we could be close to a trough. EIA At the same time, the latest U.S. crude oil production estimates that we will continue seeing output rates near the 2025 record of 13.6 million b/d. EIA So, even though rigs are fewer, oil production is near record levels because the industry has achieved outstanding improvements when it comes to drilling efficiency. Lateral wells, for example, are a big game-changer because they stem horizontally from one vertically drilled well. In the Permian, for example, rigs declined by 29% between 2022 an...
The post Best Interactive Brokers Alternatives in February 2026 by Ryan Peterson appeared first on Benzinga . Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is widely known for its low-cost trading, powerful tools and unmatched international market access. But it’s not the only option nor is it the perfect fit for every investor. Whether you’re an active trader look...
The post Best Interactive Brokers Alternatives in February 2026 by Ryan Peterson appeared first on Benzinga . Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is widely known for its low-cost trading, powerful tools and unmatched international market access. But it’s not the only option nor is it the perfect fit for every investor. Whether you’re an active trader looking for speed and analytics, a long-term investor wanting simplicity or someone focused on cost-efficiency, there are alternatives that can match or exceed IBKR in key areas. This guide walks you through the best Interactive Brokers alternatives based on pricing, features, investor experience and suitability for different goals. Table of contents [ Show ] How We Chose the Best Interactive Brokers Alternatives 7 Best Alternatives Interactive Brokers 1. Best Overall: Plus500 2. Best for Stock Research: Fidelity 3. Best for Full-Service and Beginners: Charles Schwab 4. Best for Active Traders: TradeStation 5. Best for Low-Cost Options and Futures: tastytrade 6. Best for Bank of America Customers: Merrill Edge 7. Best for International Market Access: Saxo Bank Why Choosing the Right Broker Matters Your Broker, Your Investing Strategy Frequently Asked Questions How We Chose the Best Interactive Brokers Alternatives Each brokerage was evaluated based on: Commission structure and pricing transparency Platform usability (web and mobile) Access to asset classes like stocks, ETFs, options and futures Account types available (taxable, retirement, custodial) Advanced trading tools and research access International market access Customer support and education quality 7 Best Alternatives Interactive Brokers If you’re exploring alternatives to Interactive Brokers, this list will help you identify top brokerage platforms that deliver on pricing, tools, asset access and investor experience without sacrificing performance. 1. Best Overall: Plus500 Best For Leveraged Trading Overall Rating Re...
bopav/iStock via Getty Images The small-cap rotation may be quickly becoming a market trend for 2026 as investors begin to grow wary of the AI trade, particularly as the mega-cap technology stocks drive down large-cap indices’ performance. With momentum waning following a multi-year AI trade, I believe investors may be actively rotating into small-caps as they seek value , making the Direxion Dail...
bopav/iStock via Getty Images The small-cap rotation may be quickly becoming a market trend for 2026 as investors begin to grow wary of the AI trade, particularly as the mega-cap technology stocks drive down large-cap indices’ performance. With momentum waning following a multi-year AI trade, I believe investors may be actively rotating into small-caps as they seek value , making the Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3x Shares ETF ( TNA ) a potential trading strategy to realize amplified returns on the rotation. With the Russell 2000 (RUT) outperforming the S&P 500 ( SPX ) and Nasdaq-100 ( NDX ) year-to-date, I believe positive momentum may continue as investor sentiment builds. Given that TNA is a leveraged trading strategy, the ETF should only be used for daily exposure, as holding TNA for longer than a single trading day may expose investors to substantial risks. TradingView TradingView I’ll admit when I was wrong, and I was wrong back in July 2025 when I last reported on TNA . Rationalizing the last report, I was skeptical of the state of the economy and whether small-caps would perform despite the anticipation of an easing interest rate environment that would in turn benefit small-cap companies. Federal Reserve Bank of New York With inflation cooling to its lowest growth rate since May 2025, and the ISM-PMI Manufacturing Index and Services Index showing positive signals for future growth in the January 2026 report, I believe there may be substantial opportunity for small-caps to continue their growth trajectory for the coming quarters, particularly if the Federal Reserve takes the improving economic data as a signal to extend the interest rate easing cycle. Trading Economics Laying out the foundation, the Russell 2000 Index is largely weighted in industrials, making up 19.22% of the total index weight, followed by health care at 17.73%, and financials at 17.11%. This compares to the S&P 500 ( SPY ), which is substantially more concentrated in technology at 33.62%; ...
UK bonds will rally in 2026 to send government borrowing costs to the lowest since 2024, driven by Bank of England interest-rate cuts, according to a Goldman Sachs Group Inc. strategist. The US bank expects the benchmark 10-year gilt yield to reach 4% by the end of this year, said George Cole , a senior European market strategist. That 40-basis-point drop is based on disinflation leading to BOE ac...
UK bonds will rally in 2026 to send government borrowing costs to the lowest since 2024, driven by Bank of England interest-rate cuts, according to a Goldman Sachs Group Inc. strategist. The US bank expects the benchmark 10-year gilt yield to reach 4% by the end of this year, said George Cole , a senior European market strategist. That 40-basis-point drop is based on disinflation leading to BOE action, outweighing any nerves caused by political risks, he argued. While the “UK risk premium and political uncertainty will likely remain elevated through upcoming local elections, we think the favourable macro backdrop will drive gilt yields lower,” Cole said in a note to clients. The UK’s cost of borrowing is higher than its peers, as sticky inflation has kept BOE policymakers cautious in cutting rates. Investors are also worried about the country’s fiscal position, with yields spiking earlier this month on the risk of Prime Minister Keir Starmer being forced to step down in favor of rivals that could seek to borrow more. Ongoing political uncertainty ahead of local elections in May, where Starmer’s Labour party is forecast to do badly , is likely to keep this risk premium elevated, Cole said. Still, these bouts of turbulence only push bond yields up by 30 basis points on average, and such moves are typically short lived, he said. Political risk is also tempered by tight fiscal constraints on the British government, which Cole said “ultimately limits the degree of policy volatility” in a potential change of administration. That leaves gilts being helped by reduced macro uncertainty and further disinflation, an outlook leading money markets to price nearly two BOE rate cuts in 2026. Cole recommends buying gilts against German bunds.
After JD Vance’s frontal attack in Munich last year, the US secretary of state’s tone seemed almost soothing. That’s just a new Maga trap The good news from the Munich Security Conference is that there was no dramatic deterioration in the transatlantic relationship. After the shock of last year’s event, when JD Vance stunned the audience with a frontal US attack on Europe’s liberal democracies, th...
After JD Vance’s frontal attack in Munich last year, the US secretary of state’s tone seemed almost soothing. That’s just a new Maga trap The good news from the Munich Security Conference is that there was no dramatic deterioration in the transatlantic relationship. After the shock of last year’s event, when JD Vance stunned the audience with a frontal US attack on Europe’s liberal democracies, the seemingly more conciliatory tone struck by Marco Rubio was greeted by many present, including Wolfgang Ischinger, a veteran German diplomat and the conference chair, as “reassuring”. Indeed the US secretary of state got a standing ovation in the room – a gesture perhaps more of relief than of adulation. But is the Trump administration’s message to Europe really any different now from that contained in Vance’s assault 12 months ago? What traps are being laid, and what lessons should Europeans draw? A year ago, Vance accused Europe of succumbing to the alleged tyranny and censorship of woke liberals and losing sight of the cultural bonds that link the two shores of the Atlantic. His attack baffled European leaders, who, while often prone to navel-gazing about their internal struggles, do not consider restrictions on free speech a primary concern. The vice-president shocked Munich by insisting that Europe’s biggest threat was the woke “threat from within”, even as he endorsed far-right nationalists including Germany’s AfD . The insult was so deep that this year, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, used his opening address to issue a blunt warning about American unilateralist values, declaring that “the culture war of the Maga movement is not ours”. Nathalie Tocci is a Guardian Europe columnist Continue reading...