GE Vernova CEO talks global energy buildout, plus how to trade options to hedge Fed volatility

Federal Reserve and Market Reactions - The Federal Reserve has made its last rate decision of the year, implementing a widely expected rate cut, which has led to the S&P 500 closing near all-time highs [1][36] - Small-cap stocks, particularly the Russell 2000, experienced significant gains, reaching a fresh record intraday high, marking the first record high on a Fed day since November 2021 [25][27] Energy Sector Insights - GE Vernova is positioned at the center of a global energy buildout, with over half of the daily electricity in the U.S. generated using its equipment [3][4] - Currently, only about 10% of GE Vernova's backlog is AI-centric, but this is expected to grow to approximately one-third over the next three years [4][9] - The company is also focusing on the electrification of buildings and transportation, alongside industrial growth, indicating multiple drivers of demand beyond AI [5][6] Wind Energy Business - GE Vernova has 57,000 wind turbines globally, with a focus on servicing existing wind farms to enhance performance [11][12] - The company is exploring repowering opportunities for 30 gigawatts of wind turbines in the U.S. by the end of the decade, which allows for upgrades without needing new project approvals [12][14] Mergers and Acquisitions - GE Vernova recently acquired the remaining 50% of Prolle, a maker of transformers, to streamline operations and enhance output in North America [16][17] - The company anticipates generating $22 billion in free cash flow from 2025 to 2028, with plans to return at least a third to shareholders while focusing on core business investments [19][20] Competitive Landscape in Media - Paramount Skyown has made a competing bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, claiming its $30 per share offer is superior to Netflix's proposal, which includes a lower cash portion [22][23] - The bidding war has introduced political complexities, with President Trump suggesting any deal must include the sale of CNN, adding uncertainty to the negotiations [24] Upcoming Earnings and Economic Indicators - Major companies like Broadcom, Costco, and Lululemon are set to report earnings, with expectations that Broadcom's growth is driven primarily by AI [49] - Weekly initial jobless claims are forecasted to rise to 220,000, indicating potential cooling in the labor market, while mortgage rates have declined for two consecutive weeks [50]