S&P 500 reaches record high thanks to Netflix results and AI investment plan
Wall Street indexes rose Wednesday. The benchmark S&P 500 hit a record during the session as investors cheered the quarterly report from streaming video provider Netflix and technology shares rallied after President Donald Trump's announcement of a private sector artificial intelligence infrastructure plan. The S&P 500 index's 11 main industry sectors were led by the technology sector, which saw a big boost from AI chip leaders Nvidia and Microsoft.
Trump's USDA Secretary pick led group against ethanol and farm subsidies
According to an analysis of the group's policies, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Agriculture Department is Brooke Rollins. She led an organization opposed to ethanol mandates as well as farm subsidies. These are major programs that she could influence, if confirmed. Rollins' background could put her at odds with lawmakers from farm states at her nomination hearing this Thursday…
Trump's USDA Secretary pick led group against ethanol and farm subsidies
According to an analysis of the group's policies, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Agriculture Department is Brooke Rollins. She led a group that opposed ethanol mandates as well as farm subsidies. These are major programs she would be able to influence if she were confirmed. Rollins' background could put her at odds with lawmakers from farm states at her nomination hearing this Thursday…
RODA responds to Trump EO on Offshore Wind & Permitting
The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) extends gratitude to President Trump for his decision to temporarily withdraw all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from consideration for new or renewed wind energy leasing.This important move recognizes the vital role our communities, industries, and ecosystems play in the broader national interest. The…
European firms exposed as Trump targets US offshore wind
U.S. President Donald Trump in his first day of office on Monday suspended new federal offshore wind leasing pending an environmental and economic review, saying wind mills are ugly, expensive and harm wildlife.Former President Joe Biden supported the offshore wind industry, setting a target for 30 gigawatts (GW) of projects by 2030, up from 42 megawatts at the end of 2023…
Trump's complaint about the trade deficit with EU and what could come next
Donald Trump, President of the United StatesTrump has pledged to reduce a long-standing trade deficit between the United States and the European Union. He says he will do this by imposing tariffs, or forcing the EU to buy more U.S. gas and oil. In a memo entitled "America First Trade Policy", issued by Trump on his first day in the White House, he directed the Commerce and Treasury Departments and the U.S.
Infinity Natural aims to reach a valuation of $1.2 billion in the US IPO
Infinity Natural Resources, a producer of oil, is aiming for a value of up to 1,24 billion dollars in its initial public offer. It joins a group of players in the industry that have been rushing to list their stocks in recent months. The company announced on Tuesday that it aimed to raise $278.25 through the sale of 13,25 million shares at a price between $18 to $21 per share. A recent flurry has accelerated the pace of energy sector IPOs.
CNPC: China's crude imports could grow by 1% in 2025
According to a report released by the state-owned energy giant China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), China's crude imports are expected to rise just 1% in 2019. The country's reliance upon oil imports, however, is projected to stay at 70% between 2026-2030. The Economics and Technology Research Institute of CNPC (ETRI) estimated that the world's second largest refining industry will import 559 millions metric tons crude oil in this year.
Can Trump reverse Biden's offshore oil drilling ban?
In an executive order issued on Monday, President Donald Trump revoked the ban placed by former Democratic president Joe Biden against new offshore oil-and-gas development along most of America's coasts. Trump will face legal challenges regarding his authority. What did BIDEN and Trump do? Biden used his authority, granted by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1970…
Orsted plunges 17% following US impairments, Trump adds uncertainty
Orsted shares fell 17% Tuesday, after the company posted an impairment charge for delays in a U.S. off-shore project. The sector is now facing uncertainty following President Donald Trump's withdrawal of government support for wind energy. Orsted announced a fourth quarter impairment charge of 12.1 billion Danish crowns (1.69 billion dollars) due to factors such as Sunrise Wind which will be the largest U.S. off-shore wind project when completed.
Orsted shares fall 17% after US project fails, Trump's anti wind power policy hits
Orsted, the largest offshore wind developer in the world, saw its shares plummet 17% on February 2nd after it warned late on Monday about higher costs and delays for a critical U.S. offshore development. On his first day as president, Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government would no longer support wind power because windmills were ugly, expensive, and harmful to wildlife.
Dollar jumps after Trump's tariff plans. Shares are jittery.
The global markets welcomed Donald Trump's new presidency on Tuesday with apprehension, largely due to the headlines about his plans for trade and tariffs. The U.S. market was closed on Monday for a holiday, so the reactions to Trump’s return to the White House began to be felt in Asian trading on Tuesday. European futures were also pointing towards a lower opening.
Trump lifts the freeze on LNG export permits
The U.S. President Donald Trump ordered on Monday that the U.S. resume processing applications for export permits for new liquefied gas (LNG). This is part of his effort to increase U.S. energy production and to dismantle climate policies from his predecessor. The Republican executive order was expected and reverses the pause that Joe Biden, former president, had put in place for permits to be issued for new projects in early 2024.
Orsted flags Sunrise Wind delays and increased costs as a $1.7 billion impairment
Orsted, the offshore wind developer, announced Monday an impairment charge in the amount of 12.1 billion Danish crowns (1.69 billion dollars) for the fourth quarter. The company cited a delay, higher costs, and a higher U.S. finance cost, due to its Sunrise Wind Project. The company stated that it had reassessed its 924 megawatt offshore wind project located about 30 miles east from Montauk in New York to include delays…
Glencore opens to deals as investors prepare for more mining M&A
Glencore, the commodity and miner trader, said that it was open to M&A deals that created value for its investors. It is leveraging its position in the top three producers of copper globally. Investors in the sector were most concerned about potential M&A transactions in 2024. However, BHP's failed $49 billion bid for Anglo American last May demonstrated the difficulties of merging diversified producers.
Australian Government pledges $1.24 Billion in Green Aluminium Push
Australia's Labor Government pledged A$2 Billion ($1.24 Billion) in production credits on Monday to support the four Australian aluminium smelters to switch to renewable energy before 2036. Aluminum is one of non-ferrous metals that is the most polluting to produce, since its production is mainly powered by coal. The term "green aluminium" is used to describe metals produced by solar, wind and hydropower.
Air Products announces timeline for CEO departure, Neuberger supports dissident slate
Air Products and Chemicals gave a specific date for the departure of its CEO, while investors began voting for directors in an intensely contested boardroom fight. The company announced that it would announce a new CEO by the end March. This person will replace Seifi Hasemi within three months after joining. Air Products announced that it would split the roles between chairman and CEO and announce Ghasemi's retirement from the board.
Portugal is keen to create an offshore wind cluster that could reach up to 10 gigawatts
Portugal's Government said on Friday that it is keen to create a cluster wind farms off the coast of its Atlantic Ocean. The total power of these wind farms could reach around 10 gigawatts. Lisbon approved last week four areas where offshore wind farms could be installed. This is a big step towards the launch of the first offshore license auction that it plans to conduct this year.
Beware of Egypt's smokestack reshoring as Cement Exports Soar: Maguire
North Africa's second largest natural gas producer and its largest economy have increased the production and exports of several energy-intensive commodities in an effort to boost the growth of their industrial sector. Egypt's exports of chemicals, fertilizers, and cement doubled from 2022 to 2024. They have also grown by 350% in the last year thanks to government initiatives aimed at promoting rapid industrial growth.
Brazil's wind energy sector will slow in 2024 and then resume growth in 2027
The Brazilian wind energy sector is expected to continue declining until 2027, according to the local association ABEEolica. In recent years, Brazil's renewable power supply has soared thanks to government subsidies and incentives. However, demand for the power did not grow as fast and there is an oversupply in the wind energy sector, which is exacerbated by high costs.
