Lana

industries this year so far, a 180 from 2025's showing, when it hung out near the bottom of the league.

Prices will likely stay high for now, as geopolitical tensions and sanctions keep limiting how much of the slippery stuff producers can pump.

Of course, any easing of tensions, particularly in the Middle East or Venezuela, would quickly loosen the taps.

That's it for today.

I'm Lana.

I'll see you next week.

Hey, I'm Lana with your Daily Brief for Friday, January 30th.

Coming up, Apple fared better than expected, but it still needs a helping hand from Google's AI labs.

And OpenAI and Anthropic are raising fresh billions and spending them at record speed.

We'll also check in with Carl to get his answers to your burning questions.

More on the way, but first, a word from Guy at Finimize HQ.

Apple secured 16% more revenue last quarter than the same time a year back, beating analysts' expectations.

The firm's profit margins were also beefier than forecast, signaling solid pricing power, the ability to keep its wares, well, expensive, and control over its costs.

The iPhone came in clutch.

Sales grew 23% on the same time the year before, comfortably beating forecasts, as buyers, especially in China, rushed to grab the latest model.

And more iPhones mean more sticky customers in the Apple ecosystem.

The firm's expanding active user base feeds its lucrative services division, which grew at a double-digit pace right on cue.

Investors are still cautious, though.

For one, they're unsure about Apple's AI strategy and whether it can keep iPhone sales up in a more competitive smartphone landscape.

And for another, they're wary about certain future costs.