FINWIRES · TerminalFinancial News · Live TerminalLIVE

Financial News · Live Terminal

Page 2574 of 2591

Netflix Advertising Business Expected to Boost Full-Year Revenue, Wedbush Says

Netflix (NFLX) is likely to see revenue growth in 2026 amid a significant boost from advertising, Wedbush Securities said in a Friday client note.The brokerage expects Netflix's ad revenue this year to at least double to $3 billion, with "significant" growth opportunities in 2027 and beyond. Netflix said in January that it expects overall revenue of $50.7 billion to $51.7 billion this year, up 12% to 14% annually, with ad revenue anticipated to roughly double."Netflix should continue to gain incrementally from its ad business by expanding partnerships, improving targeting, leveraging (artificial intelligence), and adding more live content," Wedbush analyst Alicia Reese wrote in the note. "This year, we expect interactive ads and, ultimately, purchasing opportunities as Netflix leverages its vast data to enhance its performance marketing capabilities."Netflix's churn rate is low due to the variety, quality, and depth of its content, Wedbush said, adding that this is "significant" for advertisers. The company could see higher average revenue per member starting in the second quarter, helped by its improving advertising strategy, the brokerage said.Wedbush expects Netflix's first-quarter revenue of $12.22 billion, above Wall Street's view for $12.18 billion and the company's guidance of $12.16 billion. The brokerage expects earnings of $0.77 per share, while analysts polled by FactSet are anticipating $0.79 on a GAAP basis.Netflix is scheduled to release its latest quarterly results on April 16.The latest price increases implemented by Netflix could provide a "meaningful" boost to the streaming giant's profitability this year, the brokerage said. Last month, the company raised prices on all its plans in the US, including bumping its ad-supported standard tier to $8.99 per month from $7.99. The price of its standard plan without ads rose by $2 to $19.99 a month, while the premium tier now costs $26.99, compared with $24.99 previously.Wedbush reiterated its outperform rating on the stock and raised its price target to $118 from $115.Netflix may outperform its own guidance for the full year as the impact of the latest price increases takes hold, UBS Securities said in a separate note Thursday. Meanwhile, BofA Securities recently said the company's earlier-than-expected price increases highlight its pricing power.Price: $101.77, Change: $-0.33, Percent Change: -0.32%

$NFLX

Oil & Energy89d ago

From 9/11 To Hormuz Stranglehold: Events Reshaping Global Energy Markets This Century

Global energy markets over the past quarter-century have been defined by a series of shocks, including geopolitical conflicts, financial crises, technological breakthroughs, and policy shifts that have fundamentally redrawn supply chains and pricing dynamics. Iran is the latest episode in the series.Here are the most pivotal events of the past two decades that have left a lasting imprint on global oil and gas markets.Dot-Com Bubble:When the tech bubble peaked in March 2000 and went into a free fall in the immediate aftermath at the turn of the century, it hit economic activity across the globe, and the energy markets were no exception.Crude oil prices dropped from $30 to the mid-$20s, according to data compiled by the US Energy Information Administration.This entire episode highlights how quickly macro slowdowns can weigh on oil and gas markets, with demand-side shocks proving just as impactful as supply disruptions.9/11 & The Middle Eastern Wars:Following in quick succession were the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, which initially triggered a sharp drop in energy prices as global travel and economic activities came to a standstill.However, this didn't last long, as the ensuing US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan embedded a lasting geopolitical premium to oil and gas prices. Supply concerns in the Middle East became a constant feature, keeping prices elevated for much of the early 2000s.Brent futures rose from the mid-$20s in the early 2000s to as high as $140s per barrel in 2008, amid the growing risk premium tied to uncertainties in the Middle East.Enron Bankruptcy:The year 2001 also involved the bankruptcy of commodities trading giant Enron in December, exposing the deep flaws, off-balance sheet financing, and high levels of leverage involved in the global energy trade.At the time, Enron was a dominant player in US natural gas and electricity trading, acting as a key intermediary in price discovery. Its sudden bankruptcy led to a sharp contraction in liquidity, as market participants pulled back from trading amid concerns over credit exposure.Natural gas prices, which had already been under pressure from weakening demand following the dot-com slowdown and the Sept. 11 attacks, remained volatile during the period.US Benchmark Henry Hub prices fell from their peak of $8 to $10 per million British thermal units to an average of just $2 to $3 per MMBtu for much of 2001 and 2002.The Great Recession:After a volatile start to the new millennium, energy prices had a strong recovery, with Brent crude oil rallying to a record high of $147/bbl in mid-2008, according to data from Trading Economics.This momentum, however, was short-lived, with the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 delivering one of the most severe demand shocks in modern markets, as the collapse of the global financial system triggered a sharp contraction in industrial, trade, and transportation activities.From a record high earlier in the year, prices dropped to nearly $30/bbl to $40/bbl by December, amid unprecedented demand erosion, as daily oil consumption dropped by 1.4 million barrels between 2008 and 2009, according to EIA data.Natural gas markets followed a similar trajectory, with Henry Hub prices dropping from nearly $13/MMBtu in June 2008 to below $4/MMBtu by August 2009.Arab SpringSoon after, the Arab Spring lifted the markets and prices to whole new levels. Starting in 2010, the conflict in Libya took a toll on the country's 1.6 million barrels of sweet crude output, with the risk of broader contagion embedding a sustained geopolitical premium in the markets.The supply shock came at a time when global demand was just beginning to recover from the financial crisis, amplifying the price impact.Brent crude prices, which averaged between $70/bbl and $80/bbl in 2010, surged well-above $100/bbl in early 2011 and remained elevated for the next 12 to 18 months.Natural gas markets were affected more indirectly. Europe, which had exposure to North African pipeline gas, saw periodic supply concerns, while liquefied natural gas demand remained supported as countries sought to diversify supply sources amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.Fukushima Nuclear DisasterThe Fukushima Nuclear Disaster in Japan, following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, resulted in a structural shift in the global energy mix, particularly in favor of LNG.After this disaster, Japan, which was at that time the world's third-largest LNG importer, shut down the vast majority of its nuclear fleet, which accounted for 30% of its total power supply. This was instead replaced with fossil fuels, primarily LNG.This led to a surge in demand, with Tokyo LNG imports jumping from 70 million metric tons in 2010 to over 85 million metric tons by 2012, significantly tightening the market, according to EIA data.Beyond the regional impact, the disaster shifted public perceptions regarding nuclear energy, leading even countries like Germany to phase out their reactors, in favor of natural gas-fired power plants dominating their energy mix.Shale RevolutionThe shale revolution wasn't an event as much as it was a structural shift in the market, which saw the US transform from a major energy importer, to one of the biggest producers of oil and gas in the world.Driven by advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, US crude output surged from 5 million barrels per day in 2009 to over 9 mmbbl/d by 2015, with the rapid supply growth weighing heavily on global markets.Initially, oil prices remained elevated. Brent crude traded in the $100/bbl and $110/bbl range between 2011 and mid-2014, supported by strong demand and lingering geopolitical risks.However, by late 2014, the market tipped into oversupply, with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries also deciding not to cut output, aiming instead to defend its market share against rising US shale output.The result was a sharp and prolonged drop in prices, with Brent crude falling from over $100/bbl in mid-2014 to below $50 by early 2015, and eventually to around $27/bbl to $30/bbl in early 2016, according to the EIA's price data.Covid Pandemic:The COVID-19 pandemic delivered another unprecedented shock to global energy markets, as lockdowns, travel bans, and industrial shutdowns caused demand to collapse almost overnight.Oil markets experienced their most extreme dislocation in modern history, with the West Texas Intermediate dropping from around $60/bbl in January 2020, to below $20/bbl in April.In fact, on Apr. 20, 2020, the front-month WTI futures briefly traded at negative $36.98/bbl, as storage capacity filled and traders were effectively paying to offload physical crude, which was truly unprecedented in modern energy markets.Global demand destruction was just as severe, with oil consumption falling by nearly 9 mmb/d in 2020, marking the largest annual decline on record.The collapse resulted in a massive, coordinated policy response, with OPEC and its allies, or OPEC+, agreeing to record production cuts of nearly 9.7 mmbbl/d, starting in May 2020, stabilizing markets and helping prices recover into the $40 to $50 per barrel range by year-end.Russia-Ukraine WarThe Russian war against Ukraine in 2022 triggered a major upheaval, particularly in natural gas.Before the war, Russia supplied between 35% to 40% of Europe's natural gas, making it the continent's dominant supplier.However, following its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine and the sweeping Western sanctions against Russian energy exports, the markets faced significant tightening.The sudden disruption led to extreme price volatility, with Dutch TTF prices soaring from around 20 euros ($23.37) per megawatt-hour in 2021 to 300 euros per MWh in August 2022.Sanctions on Russian oil also reshaped crude markets, with prices rising from $70s per barrel in 2021, to as high as $120/bbl in March 2022.However, unlike previous disruptions, sanctions did not fully remove Russian oil from global markets, but merely served to redirect it.Russia offered crude at steep discounts to attract buyers, particularly in Asia. Its flagship Urals crude traded at discounts of up to nearly $35 against Brent, Reuters data showed.The cheap Russian oil was eventually refined in India and other Asian countries before being supplied to key global markets, including Europe, which helped ease the tightness.Iran ConflictThe latest structural disruption to hit the global energy markets is the ongoing military conflict in Iran, and the resulting blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of global LNG flows and 25% of the world's seaborne oil trade.Oil and gas prices witnessed a steep surge, hitting levels not seen in years, before cooling off over the past few days amid the two-week ceasefire. After jumping in the $120s in March, Brent futures are currently hovering over the $100 benchmark.The broader consensus, however, is that this disruption is far from nearing its end, as both Iran and Israel have persisted with their attacks, while the US continues to maintain its military forces in the surrounding region.This disruption has intensified competition for alternative supplies, with Asian buyers, who predominantly relied on Middle Eastern flows, now actively bidding for US LNG cargoes.

Mining & Metals89d ago

RBC Outlines OR Royalties' Stance On Sector Consolidation, Buybacks

RBC Capital Markets said Friday that it hosted investor meetings with OR Royalties (OR.TO) chief executive Jason Attew and Grant Moenting, the company's vice president of capital markets.RBC said it reviewed key questions asked by investors and a summary of management's responses.When asked why OR was less active in 2025, the company said it would remain disciplined in its capital allocation.RBC noted that management outlined low success in 2025 due to elevated valuations and returns below target thresholds, increased competition and capital availability, and 25%of deals were unsecured, which is a non-starter for OR.As for OR's outlook for return of capital, management expressed willingness to repurchase shares to drive per share growth rather than pursue dilutive acquisitions.The company said it expects to maintain an opportunistic buyback throughout 2026, contingent on investment opportunities and internal valuation.OR anticipates royalty sector consolidation to continue, driven by a significant increase of new entrants to an already fragmented industry, RBC said.Meanwhile, OR's management believes that the opportunity at the Malartic operation in Quebec is largely overlooked. The company owns a 5% net smelter royalty in the mine owned by Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM.TO).Malartic is currently undergoing a transition from low grade open-pit mining to high gradeunderground mining, RBC said.RBC maintained OR's outperform rating and US$56 price target. The company traded at US$39.65 per share at last look on the New York Stock Exchange.Price: $54.70, Change: $-0.11, Percent Change: -0.20%

$AEM.TO$OR.TO

Oil & Energy89d ago

Physical Oil Prices Refuse to Follow Futures Down as Supply Reality Defies Sentiment

The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran may have capped the upside risk for speculators, but for the refiners scrambling for available barrels, the crisis is far from over, market experts have said.June Brent futures have retreated below $100 per barrel following the ceasefire announcement. Yet, on water, the global benchmark for immediate delivery, Dated Brent, remains stubbornly pinned above $120.This $20-plus premium reveals a desperate global scramble for wet barrels that financial models failed to predict. "The issue was never production; it's deliverability," said David Jorbenaze, commodities analyst at ICIS.Jorbenaze added that because refining and petrochemical units take three to six months to safely ramp up, the global downstream system will remain tight long after crude begins to flow.Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, shipowners remain paralyzed by war-risk insurance premiums, disrupted tanker rotations, and the lingering threat of Iranian transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz.Experts warned that the market cannot simply flick a switch to restore supply.Robert Rennie, Head of Commodity and Carbon Research, said that while rhetoric has softened, the physical system remains "severely impaired," leading to a massive dislocation where North Sea grades like Forties have traded as high as $147.Even with the ceasefire holding, ANZ analysts expect only a partial recovery of 2-3 million barrels per day in the near term, with a credible risk that 1-2 mb/d of capacity may be permanently lost due to infrastructure damage.Michael Connolly, head of refining and base oils analytics at ICIS noted that while de-escalation has eased sentiment, underlying fundamentals have not reset. "Markets normalise when barrels move - not when announcements are made," he added.The current price discrepancy highlights a fundamental failure in the forward curve. Matt Marshall, president at Aegis Hedging, suggested that financial models often underestimate the "physical squeeze" created by acute buying interest.For refiners needing to fill a vacuum in their immediate schedule, the crisis is far from over, Marshall noted.

Equities89d ago

Venture Global Reports Closing of $1.75 Billion Credit Facility

Venture Global (VG) said Friday its subsidiary Calcasieu Pass Funding, which indirectly controls the Calcasieu Pass project, has obtained a $1.75 billion senior secured term loan B credit facility.The company said it used part of the proceeds to redeem the preferred equity interests of the subsidiary that were previously issued to Stonepeak Bayou Holdings II."This transaction meaningfully reduces our overall cost of capital while further strengthening our balance sheet and liquidity position," said Chief Executive Officer Mike Sabel.Price: $12.70, Change: $-0.29, Percent Change: -2.23%

$VG

Asia Markets89d ago

Asian Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Rise in Friday Trading; Up 5.6% for Week

Asian equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were up sharply Friday morning, rising 1.03% to 2,779.46 on the S&P Asia 50 ADR Index, which is surging 5.6% for the week so far.From North Asia, the gainers were led by online game developer The9 (NCTY) and video display maker LG Display (LPL), which climbed 6.4% and 5.3% respectively. They were followed by electric vehicle maker NIO (NIO) and semiconductor company Himax Technologies (HIMX), which advanced 4.9% and 4% respectively.The decliners from North Asia were led by brand platform Baozun (BZUN) and used car marketplace Uxin (UXIN), which fell 5.4% and 3.8% respectively.From South Asia, the gainers were led by pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (RDY) and lender ICICI Bank (IBN), which dropped 2% and 1.9% respectively. They were followed by lender HDFC Bank (HDB) and telecommunications operator PLDT (PHI), which were up 0.8% and 0.6% respectively.The decliners from South Asia were led by IT companies Wipro (WIT) and Infosys (INFY), which dropped 2.6% and 1.6% respectively. They were followed by telecommunications operator Telekomunikasi Indonesia (TLK), which was off 0.3%.

$BZUN$HDB$HIMX$IBN$INFY$LPL$NCTY$NIO$PHI$RDY$TLK$UXIN$WIT

Mining & Metals89d ago

Stifel Canada "More Confident" in Bird Construction's Positive Outlook After Investor Meetings

Stifel Canada's Ian Gillies came away from Bird Construction (BDT.TO) investor meetings, "feeling more confident in our positive outlook."Gillies, who is maintaining a buy rating and $55.00 price target on the stock, said Bird's demand outlook "sounds great with a lot of active procurement ongoing (unsurprising)," which would lead to better risk balancing in contract structures, and improve the quality of cash flow.There is still potential valuation upside for Bird as the company's 2027E P/E of 13.4x lags significantly behind the construction peer group of 18.6x and its close Canadian peer Aecon (ARE.TO) at 21.7x. The construction sector is also trading at a 46% higher P/E multiple than its 10Y average of 12.7x while Bird Construction is trading at a 24% higher P/E multiple than its historical average of 10.8x, Gillies adds.Price: $46.32, Change: $+0.56, Percent Change: +1.22%

$BDT.TO

Research89d ago

UBS Downgrades SiteOne Landscape Supply to Neutral From Buy, Cuts Price Target to $140 From $182

SiteOne Landscape Supply (SITE) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $170.46, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://finwires.com/en/contact)Price: $134.58, Change: $-0.03, Percent Change: -0.02%

$SITE

US Markets89d ago

March Consumer Inflation Logs Fastest Pace Since 2022 Amid Higher Energy Prices

US consumer inflation accelerated to its highest monthly reading in nearly four years in March as the Middle East conflict sent energy prices sharply higher.The consumer price index advanced 0.9% last month, its strongest pace of growth since June 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The latest print met a Bloomberg-polled consensus view. Prices rose 0.3% in February.Annually, inflation grew to 3.3% from February's 2.4% rise, falling short of Wall Street's 3.4% projection."The fallout of the US/Israel-Iran war was evident in the March consumer price index," Oxford Economics Lead US Economist Bernard Yaros said in remarks emailed to.Earlier in the week, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. The war, which began at the end of February, spread across the Middle East and curtailed shipments through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, driving energy prices sharply higher.Energy price growth jumped about 11% sequentially in March, led by a 21% surge in gasoline, accounting for nearly three quarters of the headline increase, official data showed. Fuel oil prices rallied 31%.The energy index climbed around 13% year-on-year.Yaros cautioned that the next CPI print will be "uncomfortably strong" as pump prices continue to rise."A statistical quirk associated with the government shutdown will unwind, adding another unusual source of upward pressure to the April CPI," Yaros said. "Also, the energy price shock will increasingly bleed into food and other core prices."Monthly food prices were flat, while the measure advanced 2.7% annually, official data showed.Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy components, accelerated to 2.6% annually in March from February's 2.5%, trailing the market's view for a 2.7% increase. The metric held steady at 0.2% sequentially, while the Street was looking for growth to speed up to 0.3%."While core prices came in a bit softer than expected, it feels a bit backward looking as the surge in energy costs are likely to pressure prices for other goods and services higher in the months ahead," TD Economics Senior Economist Thomas Feltmate said in a note. "This will be happening alongside the continued pass-through of higher tariff costs, suggesting inflation's near-term direction of travel is likely to be higher."On Thursday, government data showed that US inflation, as measured by personal consumption expenditure, accelerated sequentially in February, although the Federal Reserve's preferred core inflation metric held steady."The (Fed) will look past the energy supply shock as a onetime boost to inflation and will watch for any weakening in the job market," Yaros said Friday. "As long as long-run inflation expectations remain well anchored, we still think the Fed will step in later this year and cut interest rates twice to shore up the labor market in the face of this energy supply shock."Markets widely expect the central bank to keep its benchmark lending rate unchanged later this month, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Equities89d ago

Mizuho Securities Adjusts Chevron Price Target to $225 From $217, Maintains Outperform Rating

Chevron (CVX) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $208.54, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://finwires.com/en/contact)Price: $187.30, Change: $-3.06, Percent Change: -1.61%

$CVX

Commodities89d ago

Russia's Novorossiysk Port Partially Resumes Oil Loadings After Drone Attack

Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk has partially resumed oil and fuel loadings from its Sheskharis terminal late on Thursday, after operations were suspended earlier this week following a drone attack, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.The Sheskharis terminal, which has a loading capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day of crude oil, reportedly halted shipments on Monday after a Ukrainian drone strike sparked fires at a fuel facility and damaged several berths.Oil tanker loadings have now resumed from a single berth, with one cargo of around 80,000 tonnes expected to depart on Friday.The report said the port's loading schedule would likely remain reduced in the near term, with no clear timeline for a full return to normal operations.Fuel oil loadings at Novorossiysk also resumed on Thursday, it said, adding that a diesel cargo was shipped from the port earlier this week.Russian regulatory agency and infrastructure manager, Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rosmorport, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from.

Commodities89d ago

Antwerp Port Oil Spill Shuts Key Dock, Disrupts Shipping Operations

An oil spill at Antwerp's Deurganckdock has disrupted operations, closing key terminals and halting traffic, with cleanup ongoing, Port of Antwerp-Bruges said Friday.The spill began during a bunkering operation, with the source quickly contained, though oil spread overnight into the Scheldt, impacting vessels and disrupting port operations.Located along the Scheldt river, the Deurganck Dock remains closed even as broader river traffic resumes, the port authority said.Authorities are focusing on clearing contamination before restoring full access to the dock and surrounding terminals, according to the Port of Antwerp.Specialized vessels are actively removing oil across affected zones, including the Noordzee and Europaterminal areas, as authorities work to limit delays and safely restart operations at critical infrastructure, the port authority added.Authorities are also monitoring riverbanks and nearby natural habitats alongside Civil Protection and regional agencies, focusing on limiting environmental damage and cleaning sensitive zones impacted by the spill, it added.Earlier, shipping traffic was halted between key points on the Scheldt, while major locks were shut due to oil presence, leaving the port temporarily inaccessible and impacting inland and seagoing vessels, according to the port authority.One of Europe's largest port hubs, Antwerp hosts major refineries run by Exxon Mobil (XOM) and TotalEnergies (TTE).has separately reached out to Exxon Mobil and TotalEnergies for any comments.Price: $152.95, Change: $-2.09, Percent Change: -1.35%

$TTE$XOM

Mining & Metals89d ago

Trulieve Cannabis to Open Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Lutz, Florida

Trulieve Cannabis (TRUL.CN) on Friday announced the opening of a new medical cannabis dispensary in Lutz, Florida, on April 11.The company said that the new dispensary will carry a "wide variety of popular products" including Trulieve's portfolio of in-house brands such as Cultivar Collection, Modern Flower, Momenta, Roll One, and Sweet Talk.In a statement the company noted that customers will also have access to "beloved partner brands" such as Alien Labs, Bellamy Brothers, Binske, Black Tuna, Blue River, Connected Cannabis, DeLisioso, Khalifa Kush, Love's Oven, Miami Mango, Seed Junky, and Sunshine Cannabis, all available exclusively at Trulieve in Florida."Providing high-quality products in a welcoming environment is central to our mission," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. "We are thrilled to offer patients in Hillsborough County convenient and compassionate care as part of their wellness journey."Shares of the company were last seen unchanged at $8.87 on the Canadian Securities Exchange.Price: $8.91, Change: $+0.04, Percent Change: +0.45%

$HMMJ.TO$TRUL.CN

International89d ago

US Factory New Orders Hold Steady in February, Ex-Transportation Orders Higher

New orders for US factory goods were roughly flat in February, compared with expectations for a 0.2% decrease in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET following a flat reading in the previous month.Excluding a 5.3% drop in transportation orders, new orders would have been up 1.2% after a 0.5% gain in January, well above the expectations for a 0.4% gain.Durable goods new orders were revised up to a 1.3% decline from the advance estimate of a 1.4% decline and follows a 0.4% decrease in January.Nondurable goods new orders increased by 1.5% after a 0.5% increase in the previous month.Factory unfilled orders were up 0.1%, as were factory inventories.Factory shipments rose by 1.4% and when combined with already-published advance estimates for retail and wholesale sales, shows business sales on pace for a 1.7% gain in the month.

Commodities89d ago

Market Chatter: Zelenskyy Says Druzhba Oil Pipeline Repairs Completion Expected in Spring

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country has made significant progress in restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline, with repairs expected to be completed in spring, Reuters reported Friday, citing remarks released by his office.Ukraine will complete that as agreed and aim to finish the work by spring, Zelenskyy said, adding that much of the work has already been completed, but repairs to destroyed storage tanks have taken longer, the report said.Ukraine has been accused by Hungary and Slovakia of trying to delay pipeline repairs, a claim Kyiv has denied.Both countries have lost access to deliveries of Russian oil through the pipeline since late January, when the pipeline became a target of a Russian drone strike in western Ukraine, the report said. Hungary and Slovakia have had a close political and energy relationship with Russia since the latter's invasion of Ukraine.Hungary has opposed a 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) European Union loan to Ukraine until pipeline flows are resumed, the report added.has reached out to Ukraine's Energy Ministry for a comment.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Commodities89d ago

Middle East Conflict Derails Solar Supply Chains, Revives Cost Pressures, Wood Mackenzie Says

The Middle East conflict is disrupting solar project execution and delaying the development of alternative manufacturing hubs, tightening global supply chains, and reintroducing cost pressures, Wood Mackenzie strategists said in a note on Friday.Yana Hryshko, senior research analyst and Head of Global Solar Supply Chain at Wood Mackenzie, said that the near-term impact is being felt across projects under construction in the region, where about 110 gigawatts of solar capacity is under execution or advanced stages of development.Developers and engineering, procurement, and construction contractors are delaying shipments, adjusting delivery schedules, and reassessing procurement timelines as uncertainty grows around logistics and transport routes.Rising risks along key maritime corridors have driven up freight rates and insurance costs, pushing regional project capital expenditure higher by an estimated 1-3%, while commissioning timelines in some cases are being delayed by several months.Hryshko said the disruption is spilling into global markets. Shipping costs from China to Europe have climbed since the onset of the conflict, rising by about 18% on routes to Rotterdam and about 10% to Southern Europe.Developers are absorbing these increases, reversing expectations of continued cost declines across the solar sector.Though the short-term effects are significant, Wood Mackenzie analysts say the longer-term implications could be more profound.The Middle East had been emerging as a potential solar manufacturing hub, supported by low-cost energy, favorable industrial policies, and proximity to key markets.Wood Mackenzie announced that manufacturing capacity across modules, cells, and upstream segments exceeded 30 GW, with ambitions to supply both domestic and export demand.However, the ongoing conflict is delaying project timelines, deferring investment decisions, and shifting focus toward operational resilience.The slowdown extends beyond module assembly to critical supporting components such as solar glass, aluminum frames, and mounting structures, which are essential for building competitive local supply chains.Wood Mackenzie projected that global supply chain diversification is likely to stall as a result. Instead of accelerating the development of alternative manufacturing bases, the disruption is reinforcing reliance on established supply chains, particularly in China, where scale and cost advantages remain unmatched.Similarly, vulnerabilities in upstream supply are becoming more apparent in the US. Though US module assembly capacity is projected to reach 50-60 GW by 2026, domestic solar cell production remains limited, leaving manufacturers dependent on imports.Wood Mackenzie said a significant portion of this supply comes from regions now exposed to elevated geopolitical risk, including Oman and Ethiopia.The consultancy projected that the US could lose 20-25% of its external cell supply if disruptions materialize, potentially driving cell prices higher by $0.2 to $ 0.4 per watt and affecting project economics and expansion plans.

Research89d ago

Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Strong Buy Recommendation On Shares Of Amazon.com, Inc.

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Ahead of AMZN's Q1 print, we trim our 12-month target to $285 from $296, 30x our 2027 EPS of $9.48 (was $9.87; 2026 to $7.60 from $8.00). While this remains a premium to the ~25x peer average, it implies a three-year PEG of 1.5x vs. 2.0x for peers. Our revised estimates reflect elevated AI investment, with total net capex likely rising 50%+ to roughly $200B (~60% three-year CAGR), with a large portion of these investments monetized in 2027/2028. At this scale of spend, alongside strong demand for AMZN's in-house chips (Trainium2 largely sold out; Trainium3 nearly fully subscribed), strong AWS backlog figures, and expanding power capacity, we have high conviction that AWS growth can accelerate from ~20% in 2025 to the high-20% range in 2026 and the mid-30% range in 2027. Elsewhere, we expect continued retail margin expansion, driven by improved fulfillment efficiencies and strength in high-margin digital ads. Profit growth should improve in 2H 2026 as Amazon Leo costs move from the P&L to the balance sheet.

$AMZN

International89d ago

Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index Falls Sharply in Preliminary April Survey

The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index fell to 47.6 in April from 53.3 in March, much lower than expectations for an increase to 51.5 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.The current conditions index decreased to 50.1 in April from 55.8 in March, while the expectations reading fell to 46.1 from 51.7."Demographic groups across age, income, and political party all posted setbacks in sentiment, as did every component of the index, reflecting the widespread nature of this month's fall," said Michigan, adding that consumers cite the Iran conflict for unfavorable changes to the economy.Respondents saw one-year inflation expectations at 4.8%, up sharply from 3.8% in March, while five-year inflation expectations increased to 3.4% from 3.2%.The twice-monthly Michigan Sentiment index measures consumer sentiment early in the current month (the preliminary estimate) and is then revised later in the month (the final estimate). The headline index is a combination of the current assessment and expectations for the near future.An increase in the reading suggests consumers are more confident, a positive for stocks if that confidence translates into spending. Increased demand is usually inflationary, a negative for bonds.

International89d ago

University of Michigan One-Year US Inflation Expectations Jump to 4.8% from 3.8%, Five-Year 3.4% Vs. 3.2%

Treasury89d ago

Canada's Labor Market Shows A Lack of Dynamism, Central Bank to Stay on The Sidelines, Says TD

Canada's economy added 14,000 jobs in March, or 0.1% month over month, which is more-or-less in line with consensus expectations for a 15,000 gain, said TD after Friday's Labour Force Survey (LFS).Employment was essentially flat across job types, with full-time employment edging down slightly, or 1,000, while private-sector employment rose by 15,000 on the month.The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7% after February's increase. The labor force grew by 15,000 in March, while the participation rate was unchanged at 64.9%.The data suggests that the high unemployment rate is "mostly driven by slower hiring, rather than by increased layoffs."The LFS came in as expected, showcasing the lack of dynamism in the Canadian labor market, stated TD. The unemployment rate remains elevated, with the lack of hiring showcasing the general apprehension in the economy. With the economy continuing to progress in fits and starts, and uncertainty sky-high, the outlook is for subdued job growth and a steady unemployment rate.The outlook remains "fraught," with the energy shock beginning to be felt in the Canadian economy, and no clarity on the direction of the conflict, added the bank. How long the Middle East conflict lasts and energy supplies remain disrupted will determine the size of the inflation shock.For now, weak demand conditions should provide some offset to inflationary pass-through, allowing the Bank of Canada to stay on the sidelines and wait to see how things play out, according to TD.

$CXY

Showing 51461-51480 of 51818