Winter Storm Fern Threatens Disruptions Across US: Here Are Businesses, Stocks Likely To Be Impacted - Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW)

Core Insights - Winter Storm Fern is expected to cause widespread disruptions across various sectors in the U.S., impacting travel, retail, energy production, and power markets [1][12] Airlines and Travel - Airlines have begun scaling back operations, with Delta Air Lines adjusting staffing and aircraft positioning due to cancellations in North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee [3] - American Airlines has added over 6,200 seats to mitigate disruptions, while more than 10,000 flights were canceled on a single day [4] Logistics and Delivery - FedEx and UPS have warned of potential delivery delays, and hotel operators like Hilton have implemented flexible cancellation policies for affected travelers [5] Energy Production and Prices - The storm is disrupting U.S. energy markets, with crude oil production potentially falling by approximately 300,000 barrels per day, including a loss of 200,000 barrels per day from the Permian Basin [7] - Natural gas production could decrease by 86 billion cubic feet over the next two weeks, with significant price spikes in wholesale electricity [8] Retail and Consumer Impact - Consumer-facing businesses are at risk, particularly those reliant on weekend foot traffic, such as specialty apparel and department stores, which may face earnings pressure [9][10] - Companies like Walmart, Kroger, Lowe's, Home Depot, and AutoZone are identified as having major regional exposure to the storm's impact [11]