Track the evolution of major financial and economic events
United Airlines plans to take delivery of over 250 new aircraft by April 2028, the most by any airline in a two-year period. The airline will introduce new Airbus A321neo and A321XLR aircraft to enhance transcontinental and international routes. Additionally, the company has increased premium seats per North American departure by 40% since 2021.
On March 23, TC Energy's CEO stated that the war in Iran makes the construction of a second phase of the LNG Canada facility more likely. This outlook is primarily driven by disruptions to global liquefied natural gas supplies. On March 25, Qatar's export capacity was crippled by recent attacks, while Goldman Sachs warned that market disruptions could persist through 2027. Additionally, Chevron's Wheatstone gas plant in Australia sustained storm damage, adding further strain to the global LNG market. On March 30, Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil, produced its first liquefied natural gas at its new facility in Texas.
Cosmetics giant Estée Lauder is in merger talks with Puig, the owner of brands including Jean Paul Gaultier and Rabanne. This deal would create a global beauty giant, uniting brands such as Tom Ford, Bobbi Brown, and Rabanne.
On March 23, President Donald Trump announced a five-day pause on planned strikes against Iranian energy sites following constructive talks with Iran. This announcement led to a rally in Airbnb stock. However, U.S.-Iran tensions escalated, prompting Trump to issue warnings and oil prices to surge. On April 14, a ceasefire framework was agreed upon, but high-level negotiations later collapsed.
On March 23, an analyst downgraded Super Micro's stock, warning of 'flattish' growth ahead. This warning follows the indictment of a co-founder in an export-control scandal, raising concerns about customer trust. On March 26, Super Micro faced a securities fraud lawsuit, alleging that the company failed to disclose sales of servers to Chinese companies in violation of export-control laws.
On March 23, Enova (ENVA) entered into a $369 million deal to acquire Grasshopper Bank. The deal is expected to lower funding costs and drive significant gains in revenue and earnings per share (EPS). This move is part of Enova's strategy to expand its banking capabilities.
Berkshire Hathaway plans to invest approximately JPY 287.4 billion (about $1.8 billion) in Tokio Marine Holdings. The target company is a major Japanese insurance firm, reinforcing Buffett's pivot toward the Japanese market.
On March 23, Mobileye secured a major production program for its Driver Monitoring System (DMS) with a leading U.S. automaker. Production is targeted to start in 2027 and will utilize Mobileye's EyeQ6L system-on-chip. The award is expected to span millions of vehicles across multiple models and model years.
On March 23, the European Association of Urology (EAU) upgraded Aquablation therapy to a 'Strong Surgical Recommendation' for treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This update reflects the growing clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of the robotic waterjet therapy.
On March 21, Iranian drones struck U.S. data centers located in the Gulf region. Private companies are now direct targets in geopolitical conflicts, necessitating a shift in security strategies. On March 29, President Donald Trump deployed thousands of U.S. troops to the Middle East for an anticipated ground assault. The U.S. military efforts aim to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Torrid Holdings shares surged 28% after Q4 results beat analyst expectations. Management projects sub-brand revenue to increase from $70 million in 2025 to $110 million in 2026. The company aims to improve EBITDA and cash flow by 2026 through store optimization and sub-brand growth.
Guardian Capital Group has obtained all necessary regulatory approvals to finalize its take-private transaction with Desjardins Global Asset Management. The acquisition will be completed at a price of C$68.00 per share in cash for all Common and Class A shares. The transaction is a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).
On March 20, AppLovin announced the expansion of its Axon engine into the e-commerce sector. The company aims to launch its self-serve platform in the first half of 2026. Additionally, it is leveraging GenAI creative pilots to enhance conversion and growth beyond the gaming niche.
On March 20, AECOM was selected by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to participate in the SHIELD program. The contract has a total ceiling of $151 billion and is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. The program aims to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative defense solutions to boost U.S. national security.
On March 20, Unilever entered talks to sell its food business, including the Hellmann's brand, to McCormick & Company. This strategic shift is part of Unilever's efforts to restructure its operations and focus on other areas.
On March 20, Kalshi raised over $1 billion in its latest funding round, doubling its valuation to $22 billion. The funding round was led by Coatue. On March 27, Kalshi was approved for margin trading, but Washington's attorney general sued the company for running an illegal gambling operation.
U.S. packaging firm Silgan Holdings has expressed interest in acquiring German medical packaging maker Gerresheimer. This news is based on sources familiar with the matter and has not been officially announced yet.
On March 20, Spire Healthcare shares surged over 6% amid reports of a takeover bid from Bridgepoint. The rumored offer is around 230p per share, valuing the company at over £1 billion. The bid faces a 'put up or shut up' deadline today at 5pm under UK takeover rules.
On March 19, the FCC approved the merger between Nexstar and Tegna, creating a broadcast media giant. The approval came less than a day after California and other states filed a lawsuit to block the transaction. The agency granted Nexstar a waiver from the standard ownership cap. On March 20, eight states asked a U.S. judge to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the Nexstar and Tegna merger.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins signaled a shift toward a legislative framework for crypto. On March 19, he stated that the agency's interpretation of crypto laws is a beginning, not an end, and that it would defer to a market structure bill if passed. Nasdaq received SEC approval to move stocks onchain, opening the door to leverage blockchain benefits. On March 23, 18 crypto tokens were classified as digital commodities, indicating a broader regulatory shift in the U.S.
On March 19, Netanyahu stated that Iran is being decimated, while Trump confirmed he would not send U.S. troops to the Middle East. On March 24, Iran launched fresh missile strikes against Israel, escalating tensions. On March 27, Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities, causing oil prices to surge past $100 a barrel. Subsequently, on April 6, Israel experienced one of the deadliest days of the war, with four Israelis killed due to an Iranian missile strike.
FedEx raised its sales and profit expectations for the current year despite rising fuel prices and geopolitical risks. FedEx shares rose following this positive report. Meanwhile, United Airlines announced it would cut more unprofitable flights due to high fuel prices stemming from the Iran war, with expectations that prices will remain above $100 until the end of 2027. Additionally, dry van spot rates have seen a significant increase, reaching their highest levels since 2022.
Tilray (TLRY) stock price dropped to $6.7, its lowest level since August last year, reflecting a 72% decline from its highest level recorded last year. The MSOS cannabis ETF also fell to $3.78 from its high of $7.25. This decline indicates waning interest in the cannabis sector.
J. M. Smucker (SJM) was upgraded to Buy following strong Q3 FY26 results. Elliott Management is involved as an activist investor supporting the company's turnaround plan. The company reported revenue and EPS beats, with pricing actions offsetting volume declines. Management targets over $1 billion in free cash flow and over 10% total shareholder returns, supported by a 4.3% dividend yield.
