Keyword → services

Energy Sector Posts Third Consecutive Weekly Gain as XOM and CVX Hit Multi-Year Highs on $118 Oil

The energy sector extended its remarkable 2026 outperformance on Friday with a third consecutive weekly gain as Exxon Mobil and Chevron closed at their highest levels in nearly two years, ONEOK surged an additional 2.3% on a bullish throughput update, and the XLE ETF is now up approximately 34% year-to-date in stark contrast to the S&P 500's double-digit year-to-date loss.

Accenture Posts Record $22.1B Bookings and Raises Full-Year Guidance as Enterprise AI Spending Defies Macro Headwinds

Accenture reported Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue of $18.0 billion — beating estimates — on Thursday morning, while announcing record new bookings of $22.1 billion and raising its full-year revenue and earnings guidance. The results, which included 41 clients with quarterly bookings above $100 million, provide strong confirmation that enterprise demand for AI-driven consulting, technology transformation, and digital services remains robust even as the broader macroeconomic backdrop grows cloudier.

Cintas Clinches $5.5 Billion UniFirst Acquisition, Creating Dominant North American Uniform Services Giant

Cintas Corporation announced Wednesday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire rival uniform maker UniFirst for $310 per share in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $5.5 billion, ending years of failed pursuit of the Croatti family-controlled company. The combined entity will serve roughly 1.5 million North American business customers and is expected to generate $375 million in annual operating synergies within four years.

Safe Harbor Financial Reports 29% Growth in Emerging Cannabis Banking

Safe Harbor Financial today announced robust year-over-year growth of 29% in its emerging U.S. cannabis banking segment, driven by more than 100 new customer accounts. The expansion highlights ongoing opportunities in niche financial services and the broader cannabis sector as regulatory and market conditions evolve.

Fed Seen Holding Rates Steady in March as Iran War Stokes Inflation Fears and Complicates Policy Path

The CME FedWatch Tool shows a 97.3% probability that the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged at its upcoming March meeting, as surging oil prices from the U.S.-Iran conflict introduce a new inflationary wrinkle into an already complex monetary policy calculus. Markets are now watching the ISM Services PMI report due Tuesday for real-time signals on domestic economic health.

U.S. Business Activity Growth Slows Significantly in February, Signals Economic Softening

New data from S&P Global shows that U.S. business activity expanded at the slowest pace in nearly a year in February, reflecting reduced manufacturing orders and slower services growth. While the economy remains in expansion territory, the slowdown could weigh on sentiment and corporate investment plans if the trend persists, particularly in cyclical sectors tied to industrial production and hiring.

American Express Stock Experiences Pressure as Market Awaits Earnings and Policy Clarity

American Express (NYSE:AXP) shares showed weakness in recent trading as investors balanced sector-wide regulatory concerns with anticipation of upcoming earnings reports. The market’s focus on Federal Reserve direction and the potential for credit policy changes has contributed to short-term pressure on card issuers, even as longer-term fundamental trends remain a subject of analyst debate.

Raymond James to Acquire Clark Capital Management, Expanding Asset Management Platform

Raymond James Financial has agreed to acquire Clark Capital Management Group, a Philadelphia-based asset manager with over $46 billion in assets, in a strategic move to broaden its multi-boutique investment management footprint. The transaction, expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, will integrate Clark Capital’s wealth solutions and model portfolios into Raymond James’ global advisory and investment ecosystem, reinforcing its competitive position in advisor-focused channels.