The high-stakes partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI is showing fresh signs of strain after reports that Microsoft is weighing legal action over a massive cloud agreement between OpenAI and Amazon…. Read More
Featured Posts in Business
Micron Tops Expectations, but Shares Slip as Spending Plans Take Center Stage
Micron Technology posted strong quarterly results this week, driven by booming demand for AI-related memory chips, but the company’s stock slipped as investors focused on sharply higher capital spending plans… Read More
Stocks Fall for Fourth Straight Week as Oil, Inflation Fears Weigh on Wall Street
U.S. stocks fell again this week, extending Wall Street’s losing streak to four straight weeks as rising oil prices, stubborn inflation concerns and fading hopes for near-term Federal Reserve rate… Read More
Super Micro Shares Plunge After Co-Founder Indicted in AI Chip Smuggling Case
Super Micro Computer shares plunged 33% Friday after federal prosecutors charged company co-founder Wally Liaw and two others in a scheme to illegally divert advanced Nvidia-powered servers to China, intensifying… Read More
All Posts In Business
First Interstate, FHLB Des Moines Award $700,000 to South Dakota Nonprofits
First Interstate and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines are providing $700,000 in combined support to 34 nonprofit organizations across South Dakota, expanding funding for groups working on… Read More
Jury Finds Musk Liable for Misleading Twitter Investors in 2022 Takeover Fight
A federal jury in San Francisco found Elon Musk liable for misleading Twitter investors during his 2022 bid to buy the company, concluding that some of his public statements improperly… Read More
Microsoft, OpenAI Alliance Faces New Strain
The high-stakes partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI is showing fresh signs of strain after reports that Microsoft is weighing legal action over a massive cloud agreement between OpenAI and Amazon…. Read More
Micron Tops Expectations, but Shares Slip as Spending Plans Take Center Stage
Micron Technology posted strong quarterly results this week, driven by booming demand for AI-related memory chips, but the company’s stock slipped as investors focused on sharply higher capital spending plans… Read More
Oil Shock Jolts Global Economy
A sharp jump in oil prices emerged as one of the biggest business stories of the week, rattling financial markets and renewing fears that higher energy costs could fuel inflation,… Read More
Stocks Fall for Fourth Straight Week as Oil, Inflation Fears Weigh on Wall Street
U.S. stocks fell again this week, extending Wall Street’s losing streak to four straight weeks as rising oil prices, stubborn inflation concerns and fading hopes for near-term Federal Reserve rate… Read More
Super Micro Shares Plunge After Co-Founder Indicted in AI Chip Smuggling Case
Super Micro Computer shares plunged 33% Friday after federal prosecutors charged company co-founder Wally Liaw and two others in a scheme to illegally divert advanced Nvidia-powered servers to China, intensifying… Read More
Stocks Fall for the Week as Investors Weigh Economic Signals
U.S. stocks closed lower this week as investors grappled with renewed uncertainty around interest rates, economic growth, and upcoming corporate earnings. The broad market benchmark, the S&P 500, posted a… Read More
Paramount Skydance Seals $110B Deal for Warner Bros. Discovery After Netflix Bows Out
Paramount Skydance has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a blockbuster $110 billion deal, bringing an end to a high-profile bidding war after Netflix withdrew from negotiations with the… Read More
Knudsen Secures $29.5M Settlement with Vanguard in Coal Market Lawsuit
Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced a landmark settlement agreement with The Vanguard Group, Inc. this week, resolving allegations that the asset manager conspired to artificially constrict the coal market through… Read More
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
