The global M&A boom is rolling into 2026 as AI sparks deal frenzy — but cash is getting tight

Key Points

Merger-and-acquisition activity roared back to life last year despite a sluggish start.
Markets are betting that the surge will continue.
While the appetite for deals remains strong, the pool of discretionary capital to fund them is historically thin.

Source

Finance

Register now: Applications open for the World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026

February 24, 2026

Key Points CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names. The World’s Top Fintech Companies has been expanded this year, with regulation tech — companies helping others meet their financial regulatory obligations — becoming its own segment. Applications are now open for companies to […]

Finance

PayPal pops nearly 7% on report fintech startup Stripe is weighing an acquisition

February 24, 2026

Key Points Fintech startup Stripe is reportedly in early discussions to potentially buy PayPal. PayPal’s stock has plummeted over the last year as it faces slowing growth and mounting competition in the digital-payments market. Stripe hit a $159 billion valuation on Tuesday and said it was on track to reach an annual run rate of […]

Finance

Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Workday, Cava, Lucid Group and more

February 24, 2026

Check out the companies making headlines in after-hours trading. Lucid Group — Shares of the electric vehicle maker fell more than 4%. In the fourth quarter, Lucid posted a wider-than-expected loss of $3.62 per share, despite revenue growth that topped estimates. Lucid also recently cut its U.S. workforce by 12%. Workday — Workday shares dropped […]