Russell: China imports most energy but has the best position on Iran
China is the largest energy importer in the world and would appear to be vulnerable to the rise in crude oil and gas prices caused by the conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran. China's huge crude oil stockpile is a buffer against price spikes. This means that any energy-driven inflation in other parts of the world won't hit China. By increasing the exports of refined goods…
Russell: China imports most energy but has the best position on Iran
China, the world's biggest energy importer, is vulnerable to the rise in prices of crude oil and natural gas caused by the conflict between Israel and United States against Iran. China's huge crude oil stockpile is likely to be a buffer against any price spikes in the world, so that any energy-driven inflation will not affect China. In the event that crude oil supplies from the Middle East are disrupted for a long time…
Steve Cohen's Point72 has hired a Castleton veteran trader to help with commodities, according to sources
Three sources told us that Steve Cohen's hedge fund Point72 Asset Management hired Ryan Sheffler to be its natural gas portfolio manager in order to expand the commodities trading desk. Point72 is one of the few large hedge funds that has not yet built a commodities business. It has been pushing into this space in recent weeks. Citadel, Millennium and other investment firms have made huge profits due to the extreme volatility of commodity prices.
The US AI boom is facing an electric shock
The race for artificial intelligence dominance by Big Tech may hit a snag soon as U.S. power grids struggle to keep up with hyperscalers who spend a lot of money. Microsoft, Amazon Alphabet, and Meta are among the technology giants in America that have announced in recent months plans to spend over $600 billion in AI by 2026. Investors are already unsure about the viability of this strategy due to the investment wave. The ambitious U.S.
Russell: Copper is the driving force behind BHP and Rio but getting more of it is the key.
Copper's role as a major profit driver is highlighted in the latest results of BHP Group and Rio Tinto. However, they also highlight how difficult it will likely be to gain more exposure for this industrial metal. BHP, the world's largest ?listed miner, reported last week a stronger-than-expected half-year underlying attributable profit of $6.2 billion, up 22% from the same period a year earlier.
Russell: Copper is the driving force behind BHP and Rio but if you want more, it's up to you.
Copper's role as a major profit driver is highlighted in the latest results of BHP Group and Rio Tinto. However, they also highlight how difficult it will likely be to gain more exposure for this industrial metal. BHP, the world's largest ?listed miner, reported last week a stronger-than-expected half-year underlying attributable profit of $6.2 billion, up 22% from the same period a year earlier.
Maguire: Maguire, China's renewables boom has boosted it to a rare clean-capacity club.
In 2025, the world's largest polluter will have crossed a crucial energy transition threshold by installing more clean power than fossil fuel production capacity for the first. Global Energy Monitor data shows that China will have 1,494 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy generation capacity operating in 2025. This compares to 1,420 GW?of fossil fuel-fueled capacity. China now draws 51% of its energy from clean sources…
Maguire: Maguire, China's renewables boom has boosted it to a rare clean-capacity club.
In 2025, the world's largest polluter will have crossed an important energy transition threshold by installing more clean power generation capacity than fossil fuel generation capacity. Global Energy Monitor data shows that China will have 1,494 gigawatts (GW) of clean power generation in operation by 2025. This compares to the?1,420-GW capacity powered by coal, gas, and other fossil fuels.
Can Africa win the mineral race between China and the West? Russell
Two rail projects worth billions of dollars are underway in Africa. One project was aimed westward, and the other eastward. The one backed by Western nations, the other by China. Both aim to ship huge quantities of vital minerals. Welcome to the new race for Africa. It is estimated that the Lobito rail line will cost $6 billion when it's completed in 2030. The track will cover 1…
Can Africa win the mineral race between China and the West? Russell
Two rail projects worth billions of dollars in Africa. One project was aimed west and the other east. The one backed by Western nations, and the other by China. Both aim to ship huge quantities of critical minerals. Welcome to the new race for Africa. It is estimated that the Lobito rail line will cost $6 billion when it is completed in 2030. The 1,050 km (1,700 miles)…
Andy Home, Andy Home: The US and Canada are now working together to secure critical minerals.
The U.S. president Donald Trump just announced "Project Vault", an $12 billion stockpile of critical minerals intended to protect U.S. manufacturing companies from disruptions in supply. The U.S. will need help to fill the Vault with 60 minerals that are currently classified as "critical". The U.S. is reviving friend-shoring as it seeks to form a metal alliance with China to break its stranglehold on the metals at the heart of modern technology. The U.S.
Andy Home, Andy Home: The US and Canada are now working together to secure critical minerals.
The U.S. president Donald Trump just announced "Project Vault", an $12 billion stockpile of critical minerals intended to protect U.S. manufacturing companies from disruptions in supply. The U.S. will need help to fill up the Vault's 60 critical minerals. The friend-shoring game is back and with a vengeance. As the U.S. tries to build a metal alliance to loosen China’s grip on the metals at the core of modern technology. The U.S.
Maguire: Australia's renewable energy boom will deliver a coveted price for power
Australia's wholesale power prices dropped to their lowest level in four years by 2025. This bucking of rising prices elsewhere, and proving that renewables-intensive power systems can lower power costs for consumers. The increased battery storage capacity, and the solar farms could allow utilities to reduce operating costs. These savings may be passed on to businesses and households as early as this year.
What can oil prices tell you about the market? Not a lot: Bousso
The global oil market is experiencing a series of price spikes due to geopolitical tensions and the opaque stockpiling. Western sanctions and tightening Western sanction are also causing traders to be in the dark. Prices may not accurately reflect the physical fundamentals of commodities due to the growing influence of unpredictable external forces on this world's most liquid and largest commodity market.
Tesla executives announce that the company is expanding its solar strategy to include more employees.
According to senior executives, Tesla is currently hiring to help support Elon Musk’s plan to become the largest U.S. manufacturer for solar energy components. The posts indicate that 'the company is implementing Musk's vision to set up 100 gigawatts domestic solar production. Musk announced this goal?last?month. Seth Winger wrote, "This is a bold, ambitious project," in one of many posts made by Tesla executives on LinkedIn.
Tesla executives are hiring to support Musk’s solar expansion strategy
According to senior executives, Tesla is currently hiring to support Elon Musk’s recent announcement to become the largest U.S. producer of solar energy components. The posts indicate that 'the company is implementing Musk's vision to set up 100 gigawatts domestic solar production. Musk announced this goal?last? month. Seth Winger is Tesla's senior manager of solar product engineering. He wrote this in a LinkedIn post.
Maguire: China tightens its grip on clean tech with growing exports of EVs.
China's position as the world leader in clean technology is best illustrated by its EV exports. These will reach nearly $70 billion dollars in 2025, and span over 150 countries. Electric vehicles are a major part of China's manufacturing industry, and millions of people work in the various supply chains that support?clean cars? and their components. Over half of new cars in China are EVs.
Maguire: China tightens its grip on clean tech with EV export growth.
China's position as a global leader in clean technology is best illustrated by its massive EV exports. These will reach nearly $70 billion dollars in 2025, and span well?over 150 different countries and territories. Electric vehicles are a major part of China's manufacturing industry, and millions of people work in the various supply chains that support clean cars. Over half of new cars in China are EVs.
US rooftop solar installers restructure, cut jobs as homeowner subsidies expire
Residential solar companies in the U.S. are preparing to see a sharp drop in their business after the expiration?of a federal tax credit which helped fuel more than a decade's rapid growth. This has led to layoffs, reorganizations and even some company failures. Under President Donald Trump's new tax reform, the 30% federal income tax credits for homeowners who buy rooftop systems will expire at the end 2025.
What is the purpose of Europe? It must act fast: Stephen Jen
We all know someone who seems to be cursed with bad luck. Europe is beginning to resemble that unfortunate person, as it faces both internal and external problems. The region now needs a clear purpose and an ambitious plan to reach it. The challenges that Europe faces are external, like the fraying Transatlantic relations with the U.S. or the competitive pressures coming from China.