VIA Rail Canada Reports 11% Revenue Growth in 2024 Despite Operating Losses
VIA Rail Canada, the national intercity rail operator, reported solid growth in both revenue and ridership for the fiscal year 2024, as detailed in its annual financial report. The company saw a 6.6% increase in passenger traffic and an 11% rise in total revenue year-over-year. Despite these operational gains, VIA Rail continues to post substantial operating losses, reflecting ongoing structural challenges in Canada’s passenger rail sector.
Keyera Corp. Expands Canadian Natural Gas Liquids Operations with $5.15 Billion Acquisition
Keyera Corp. $KEYUF, a leading energy infrastructure company based in Calgary, has announced a landmark acquisition of Plains' Canadian natural gas liquids (NGL) business, along with select U.S. assets, for a total of $5.15 billion. This move marks one of the most significant consolidation efforts in North America’s midstream sector in recent years and is set to reshape the NGL logistics landscape across Canada.
Brent and WTI Oil Prices Rise Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict
Oil prices continued their upward trajectory during Wednesday’s Asian trading session, extending a sharp rally from the previous day. The market’s focus remains on the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which has raised fears over potential disruptions to global crude supply routes in the Middle East—a region that accounts for roughly a third of the world’s oil output.
Grimes & Company Increases Stake in Lear Corporation: A Strategic Bet on the Auto Parts Sector
In Q1 2025, Grimes & Company Inc. significantly expanded its investment in Lear Corporation $LEA —a prominent U.S. supplier of automotive seating and electrical systems. According to the firm’s latest 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Grimes increased its LEA position by 68.3%, acquiring an additional 32,019 shares.
Taiwan Aligns with U.S. Strategy in Tech Containment of China
Taiwan has formally taken a decisive step toward aligning with long-standing U.S. efforts to constrain China’s technological advancement. In a precedent-setting move, the Taiwanese government blacklisted Huawei Technologies Co. and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. $688981.SS (SMIC), barring local firms from conducting business with these entities without government authorization. The action marks the first time Taipei has invoked its internal trade restriction framework to target major Chinese technology companies, signaling a sharp escalation in regional techno-geopolitical dynamics.
GM Unveils the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X: Electrified Speed with Hypercar Ambitions
General Motors $GM introduced the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X on Tuesday, expanding its performance lineup with an electrified evolution of the Corvette E-Ray, which launched in 2023. Positioned as a next-generation hypercar, the ZR1X blends aggressive powertrain architecture with enhanced electric integration, signaling GM’s continued push toward high-performance hybridization in its flagship models.
Geopolitical Tensions and Weak Retail Data Drag U.S. Equities Lower
U.S. equity markets declined on Tuesday as investors reacted to rising geopolitical tensions and softer-than-expected economic indicators. The broad-based S&P 500 Index $^SPX fell 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite $^IXIC, heavily weighted toward technology, slipped 0.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average $^DJI lost 220 points, or 0.5%, reflecting a cautious risk-off sentiment among institutional investors. The sell-off came as renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran added volatility to global markets. Recent optimism regarding a potential ceasefire was tempered by continued conflict escalation, reviving investor concerns over regional instability and its potential spillover into broader markets.
Suzuki Enhances Burgman 400 for 2025 with Bold Aesthetic Refresh
Suzuki Motor Corporation $7269.T has unveiled the 2025 iteration of its flagship maxi-scooter, the Burgman 400, specifically tailored for the European market. While the core mechanical specifications remain unchanged, the model receives a visually distinctive update aimed at reinforcing its relevance in an increasingly saturated premium scooter segment. The visual refresh focuses on new color schemes designed to appeal to both urban commuters and long-distance riders, reflecting shifting consumer preferences toward design-oriented two-wheel mobility solutions.
Novo Nordisk Regains Momentum Amid Recovery in Wegovy Sales and Executive Transition
Novo Nordisk A/S $NOVO-B.CO has demonstrated a sharp recovery in market valuation following a difficult stretch for its flagship drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. Since reaching a multi-year low in April, the stock has risen by over 27%, positioning the Danish pharmaceutical firm alongside SAP SE $SAP as a frontrunner for the most valuable public company in Europe. This uptrend reflects renewed market confidence in the company’s commercial trajectory, supported by improved supply conditions and expectations of consistent demand for its obesity and diabetes treatments.
JetBlue Scales Back Operations Amid Sluggish Travel Demand
JetBlue Airways Corp. $JBLU has unveiled a revised cost-reduction strategy in response to underwhelming travel demand that continues to weigh on the airline’s recovery trajectory. CEO Joanna Geraghty acknowledged that the lower-than-expected bookings are likely to delay the company’s return to profitability, prompting a recalibration of JetBlue’s operational and capital expenditure plans.
U.S. Manufacturing Output Stagnates in May: Aircraft and Auto Gains Offset Broader Sector Weakness
U.S. manufacturing output showed minimal growth in May, signaling continued fragility in the industrial sector despite solid gains in motor vehicle and aircraft production. According to the latest report from the Federal Reserve, factory output rose by just 0.1% month-over-month, missing market expectations, as trade-related uncertainties and elevated input costs weighed on broader manufacturing performance.
Vishal Mega Mart Shares Slide Nearly 8% After Block Deal Worth ₹10,488 Crore
Shares of Indian retail chain Vishal Mega Mart fell as much as 7.9% during early trading on Tuesday, June 17, following a large-scale block transaction involving nearly 20% of the company's equity. The deal, valued at approximately ₹10,488 crore, was executed at a steep discount to the previous closing price, pressuring the stock and signaling a significant shift in ownership structure. According to CNBC-TV18, around 91 crore shares, or 19.82% of the total equity, changed hands at ₹115 per share—considerably lower than the previous day’s closing price of ₹124.90. This valuation discount, coupled with the scale of the transaction, sparked investor uncertainty and a broad re-evaluation of near-term price targets.