Officials at the Federal Reserve this week reinforced a cautious, data-dependent stance on interest rates, tempering investor expectations for rapid easing despite cooling inflation. In public remarks following the latest… Read More
Featured Posts in Business
Banks Navigate Slower Loan Growth as Rate Outlook Shifts
U.S. regional banks are entering the new quarter facing a more complicated interest-rate environment, as moderating inflation and growing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts reshape lending dynamics and profitability… Read More
Stocks Edge Higher as Inflation Data Lifts Rate-Cut Hopes
U.S. stocks closed the week modestly higher, buoyed by a softer-than-expected inflation report that reinforced investor bets the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates later this year. The S&P… Read More
Canada looks to shift auto industry away from U.S.
(The Center Square) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wants his nation’s auto industry to look far beyond its usual American market with investments in electric vehicles and other trade… Read More
All Posts In Business
Energy Stocks Lag as Oil Prices Ease
Energy markets faced renewed pressure this week as crude prices softened amid mixed signals on global demand and steady U.S. production. Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude drifted lower, weighing on… Read More
Fed Officials Signal Patience on Rate Cuts
Officials at the Federal Reserve this week reinforced a cautious, data-dependent stance on interest rates, tempering investor expectations for rapid easing despite cooling inflation. In public remarks following the latest… Read More
Stockman Bank Donates $15,000 to Support Student Field Trips to Heritage Center
The Montana Historical Society received a $15,000 donation from Stockman Bank during the grand opening of the bank’s newest Helena branch on Feb. 12. The gift will support the Montana… Read More
Banks Navigate Slower Loan Growth as Rate Outlook Shifts
U.S. regional banks are entering the new quarter facing a more complicated interest-rate environment, as moderating inflation and growing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts reshape lending dynamics and profitability… Read More
Stocks Edge Higher as Inflation Data Lifts Rate-Cut Hopes
U.S. stocks closed the week modestly higher, buoyed by a softer-than-expected inflation report that reinforced investor bets the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates later this year. The S&P… Read More
Canada looks to shift auto industry away from U.S.
(The Center Square) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wants his nation’s auto industry to look far beyond its usual American market with investments in electric vehicles and other trade… Read More
Governor Gianforte announces members of Licensing Reform Task Force
Governor Greg Gianforte announced the membership of the Licensing Reform Task Force, fulfilling his commitment to streamline state government and make it easier for Montanans to enter the workforce. Established… Read More
Department of War Launches LYNX Platform to Expand Business Participation in Defense Markets
The Department of War (DoW) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) today announced the launch of LYNX, a new digital platform designed to help businesses enter, navigate, and compete more… Read More
Governor Gianforte announces members of Licensing Reform Task Force
Governor Greg Gianforte announced the membership of the Licensing Reform Task Force, fulfilling his commitment to streamline state government and make it easier for Montanans to enter the workforce. Established… Read More
War Department Invites 25 Vendors to Compete in Phase I of Drone Dominance Program
The War Department announced today that 25 vendors have been selected to compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program (DDP), a sweeping acquisition reform initiative aimed at rapidly… Read More
Montana Unemployment Holds at 3.4%
Montana’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.4 percent in December, extending the state’s streak of over four consecutive years with unemployment at or below that level, according to the Montana… Read More
Antitrust Suit Targets Union Pacific Over Rural Rail Access
Thirteen farmers from Kansas and Colorado, along with Weskan Grain and Colorado Pacific Railroad (CXR), filed an antitrust lawsuit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas… Read More
New Construction Sector Analysis Highlights Record Growth
Montana’s construction industry continues to surge, driving economic growth, creating thousands of high-paying jobs, and fueling demand for skilled workers across the state, according to a new analysis released by… Read More
Montana CSI Holds Public Hearing on BCBSMT Cybersecurity Breach
The Montana Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) held a public administrative hearing on January 22, 2026, to examine a cybersecurity breach involving Health Care Service Corporation,… Read More
Wall Street Ends Week Lower After a Tumultuous Trading Session
Wall Street closed out a turbulent week on a cautious note, with major indexes posting modest losses amid a swirl of geopolitical headlines and mixed corporate earnings. The S&P 500… Read More
Mitsubishi buys Louisiana, Texas shale gas assets for $7.5B
(The Center Square) – The second largest natural gas producer in northwest Louisiana and east Texas has sold its assets to Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi. Aethon, a Dallas-based company that operates… Read More
Montana State University Extension to host winter ag series in southeastern Montana Jan. 19-23
Montana State University Extension will host a winter ag series in southeastern Montana from Jan. 19-23. The Southeast Montana MSU Extension Winter Ag Series includes events in Baker, Broadus, Circle,… Read More
MoFi Awarded $85 Million in New Markets Tax Credits
MoFi, a nonprofit community development financial institution serving Western states, has received an $85 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development… Read More
JP Morgan Lifts NorthWestern Energy Price Target to $61 Amid Black Hills Merger Plans
NorthWestern Energy Group (NASDAQ: NWE) is moving forward with plans to merge with Black Hills Corp., a deal that could reshape the regional utility landscape, while Wall Street analysts weigh… Read More
Berkshire Hathaway Completes $9.7 Billion Acquisition of OxyChem
Berkshire Hathaway announced Friday that it has completed its $9.7 billion acquisition of OxyChem from Occidental Petroleum (OXY). OxyChem, a leading chemical manufacturer, will continue to be led by Wade… Read More
OpenAI and SoftBank Invest $1 Billion in SB Energy to Power AI Data Centers
OpenAI and SoftBank Group Corp. are jointly investing $1 billion in SB Energy, the infrastructure company helping build out the United States’ next generation of artificial intelligence data centers. Under… Read More
Stocks End First Week of the Year Mixed
Wall Street finished the first full trading week of 2026 on a mixed note, with major U.S. indexes posting modest losses for the week as investors digested the end of… Read More
Warren Buffett retires as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett, one of the most influential investors in history, has retired as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway, marking the end of a more than six-decade run that reshaped… Read More
Everyday Economics: A quiet data week, but loud signals for the economy
(The Center Square) – With Christmas approaching, the coming week will be light on fresh economic data. That does not mean markets – or policymakers – are flying blind. Last… Read More
Stocks Rise in Holiday-Shortened Week as Major Indexes Hit Records
U.S. stock markets delivered a strong holiday-week performance as major indexes climbed and closed at or near record highs ahead of Christmas, even as trading volumes were light during the… Read More
Nine pharmaceutical companies agree to most-favored-nation pricing
(The Center Square) – An additional nine of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have agreed to offer many of their most popular drugs at most-favored-nation pricing in the U.S. This… Read More
Gianforte Approves 406 JOBS Year One Plan
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced his approval of the 406 JOBS Year One Work Plan, a comprehensive roadmap developed by the State Workforce Innovation Board aimed at modernizing Montana’s workforce development… Read More
Montana Unemployment Insurance Reforms Save Businesses $23 Million
More than 32,000 Montana businesses will see a reduction in unemployment insurance (UI) tax rates in 2026, resulting in over $23 million in savings, the Montana Department of Labor &… Read More
SpaceX Insider Share Sale Suggests $800 Billion Valuation
SpaceX is moving closer to a public listing, with a secondary share sale indicating a company valuation of $800 billion, according to a letter to shareholders from CFO Bret Johnsen… Read More
President Trump Signs Executive Order on Politically-Motivated Proxy Advisors
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at curbing the influence of proxy advisory firms that critics say have prioritized political agendas over the financial interests of American… Read More
Strategy Retains Spot in Nasdaq 100 Amid Market Scrutiny
Bitcoin-focused company Strategy (MSTR.O) maintained its place in the Nasdaq 100 index on Friday, continuing its year-long presence in the benchmark despite growing questions from analysts over its business model…. Read More
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Signals Support for Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair
JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N) CEO Jamie Dimon signaled his backing for former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the U.S. central bank, the Financial Times reported Friday…. Read More
Meta Strikes Multiple AI Deals with Major News Publishers
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has entered into a series of commercial AI agreements with prominent news publishers, including USA Today, People Inc., CNN, Fox News, The… Read More
SpaceX Eyes Late 2026 IPO
SpaceX has informed investors and financial institutions that it plans to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in the second half of 2026, according to a report by The Information… Read More
Warner Bros Discovery to Sell Studio and Streaming Assets to Netflix in $72 Billion Deal
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has agreed to sell its iconic studio and streaming assets to Netflix (NFLX) for $72 billion, a blockbuster deal that will reshape Hollywood and create a… Read More
Volkswagen to Invest $186 Billion Through 2030
Volkswagen Group will invest 160 billion euros—approximately $186 billion—through 2030 as the automaker tightens its long-term spending plans in response to mounting challenges in its two largest markets, CEO Oliver… Read More
Google Drops EU Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft Amid Regulatory Probe
Google on Friday withdrew its European Union antitrust complaint targeting Microsoft’s cloud computing practices, just a week after EU regulators opened an investigation into whether Microsoft should face scrutiny under… Read More
Crypto-Hoarding Company Shares Slide as Market Turbulence Damps Risk Appetite
Shares of companies that stockpile bitcoin and other digital tokens are coming under renewed pressure as fresh volatility sweeps through the cryptocurrency market, raising concerns about stress in a niche… Read More
Warburg Pincus to Acquire Raptor Technologies in $1.8 Billion Deal
Warburg Pincus has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Raptor Technologies from private equity firm Thoma Bravo, in a transaction valuing the school safety software provider at… Read More
Starbucks Workers’ Union Expands Black Friday Strike to Over 120 Stores
Starbucks’ workers’ union significantly widened its ongoing strike on Black Friday, extending the walkout to more than 120 stores nationwide—nearly double the number that began the action earlier this month—amid… Read More
UM Students Test Business Ideas in 60-Second Contest November 13, 2025
Any business idea usually starts with an elevator pitch – a concise proposal delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator. University of Montana students interested in entrepreneurship… Read More
Bitcoin Slides to Seven-Month Low Amid Broad Flight from Risk
Cryptocurrency markets tumbled Friday, with Bitcoin falling to a seven-month low of $80,553, approaching a key technical level that analysts warn could trigger steeper losses. Ether also dropped to a… Read More
Bill Ackman Explores Dual IPOs for Pershing Square, New Fund
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is preparing to take his hedge-fund empire public in a bold two-step move, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Ackman… Read More
Eli Lilly Becomes First Drugmaker to Reach $1 Trillion Valuation
Eli Lilly (LLY.N) hit a historic milestone on Friday, becoming the first pharmaceutical company to reach a $1 trillion market valuation, fueled by soaring demand for its weight-loss treatments. The… Read More
Texbase Strengthens Advisory Board with Appointment of Industry Veteran Randy Harward
Texbase, Inc., a leading cloud-based platform that manages supply chain traceability, compliance, certification, and sustainability data for retail, manufacturing, and textile brands, announced today that Randy Harward has joined its… Read More
Walmart CEO McMillon to Retire
Walmart Inc. (WMT.N) CEO Doug McMillon will retire next year after more than a decade leading the retail giant, capping a period during which he transformed the company into a… Read More
Hedge Funds Trim ‘Magnificent Seven’ Stakes
Some of Wall Street’s largest hedge funds reduced their exposure to high-flying “Magnificent Seven” stocks during the third quarter, according to newly released regulatory filings, while adding positions in application… Read More
Disney and YouTube TV Strike Deal to Restore Channels After Prolonged Blackout
Walt Disney Co. and Google’s YouTube TV have reached a new distribution agreement, ending weeks of disruptions that left millions of viewers without access to Disney-owned channels during major news… Read More
