According to Bloomberg, Jack Dorsey’s fintech firm Block Inc. is set to join the S&P 500 index on July 23, 2025, replacing Hess Corp. following its acquisition by Chevron. The company is integrating Bitcoin payment capabilities into its Square terminals, reflecting Dorsey’s long-standing advocacy for Bitcoin. https://t.co/WvhyZYN3Y1 ...

We're about 2 minutes away from the end of the trading day. Scarlet Fu and Vonnie Quinn here with you and here to help take you through the closing bell. We've got a global simulcast.Tim Sandvik joins us as well as Israeli lee. We bring together our Bloomberg Television, radio and you tube audiences worldwide as we pass through the most crucial moments of the trading day. And Tim, it doesn't look like a whole lot is going on when you look at the closing numbers here in the S&P 500, little change, but it's b ...

Group 1 - Block shares increased by over 10% in extended trading as the fintech company prepares to join the S&P 500, replacing Hess [1] - The addition of Block to the S&P 500 is part of a series of changes, including The Trade Desk replacing Ansys [2][3] - Block's inclusion reflects the growing tech presence in the S&P 500, highlighting the market cap gains of tech companies [4] Group 2 - Block, formerly known as Square, has diversified into crypto, lending, and other financial services since its founding in 2009 [4] - Despite a 14% decline in shares this year, Block maintains a market cap of approximately $45 billion, significantly above the median company in the S&P 500 [5]

Core Viewpoint - Chevron has successfully completed its $55 billion acquisition of Hess, gaining access to a significant oil discovery in the Stabroek Block off the coast of Guyana, following a legal victory over Exxon Mobil [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is one of the largest energy deals in the past decade, aimed at improving Chevron's performance [2]. - The Stabroek Block is estimated to hold over 11 billion barrels of oil, making it one of the fastest-growing oil provinces globally [2]. Group 2: Legal Context - Exxon and CNOOC, Hess's partners in Guyana, had previously filed arbitration disputes claiming pre-emptive rights to purchase Hess's stake, which delayed the acquisition for over a year [3]. - The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ruled against Exxon and CNOOC, with no appeals process available [4]. Group 3: Integration Plans - Chevron was preparing for the integration of Hess even while awaiting the arbitration verdict, with IT teams from both companies meeting regularly [5]. - Employees of Hess were informed about the option to request severance packages post-acquisition [5]. Group 4: Market Reaction - Following the news of the acquisition, shares of both Chevron and Exxon experienced a slight decline in morning trading [6].

Exxon has benefited from a pyrrhic defeat in its effort to stop Chevron from buying Hess, argues @JavierBlas #OOTT (via @opinion) https://t.co/ck1IGyK9GK ...

Company Overview - Proactive is a financial news publisher that provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The company has a team of experienced news journalists who produce independent content across key finance and investing hubs including London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2] Market Focus - Proactive specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - The content delivered by the team includes insights across various sectors such as biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging digital and EV technologies [3] Technology Adoption - Proactive is recognized for its forward-looking approach and enthusiastic adoption of technology to enhance workflows [4] - The company utilizes automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring that all content is edited and authored by humans to maintain best practices in content production and search engine optimization [5]

Core Viewpoint - Chevron Corp. has agreed to acquire Hess Corp. for $53 billion, aiming to enhance production growth in the U.S. oil industry, which is optimistic about the future of fossil fuels [2][3]. Company Overview - Chevron, a prominent player in the oil industry, is known as one of the "seven sisters" that emerged after the breakup of the Standard Oil monopoly in 1911 [3]. - Hess Corp. is recognized as a significant independent oil producer in the U.S., with valuable assets including a 30% stake in the Guyana development, which is a key attraction for Chevron in this acquisition [4]. Strategic Implications - The merger is expected to enhance Chevron's growth profile into the next decade, potentially driving greater long-term value for shareholders [5]. - The acquisition is anticipated to be accretive to Chevron's bottom line, generating significant free cash flow and production growth into the 2030s [9]. Regulatory and Competitive Landscape - Chevron initially expected minimal regulatory hurdles for the acquisition, but ExxonMobil filed a challenge to the arrangement, citing concerns over contract terms and preemption rights [3][6]. - The International Chamber of Commerce ruled in favor of Chevron, allowing the acquisition to proceed despite ExxonMobil's objections [7]. Production and Economic Impact - ExxonMobil has significantly developed the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, with current production levels exceeding 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and expectations to double production to over 1.3 million bopd by the end of 2027 [8]. - The government of Guyana is projected to receive over $10 billion annually from oil-related payments by the end of the decade, highlighting the economic significance of these developments [8].

Chevron has prevailed against Exxon Mobil in a dispute over Hess Corporation's offshore oil assets in the South American nation of Guyana, Exxon CEO Darren Woods told CNBC's Becky Quick on Friday.The ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce in favor of Chevron clears the way for the oil major to complete its $53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation. Chevron shares jumped about 3% in premarket trading. The dispute had created significant uncertainty over whether Chevron's acquisition of Hess would ...

Core Insights - Chevron Corporation has confirmed zinc contamination in the Mars crude oil stream, disrupting supply-chain and refining operations across the U.S. Gulf Coast [1][10] - The U.S. Department of Energy has responded by releasing up to 1 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to mitigate the supply crunch [3][4] Supply Chain Disruption - The contamination has led to key refiners, including Exxon Mobil, suspending procurement of Mars crude, raising concerns among industry stakeholders [1][10] - Mars crude, a medium sour blend, is essential for Gulf Coast refineries due to its optimal refining characteristics, and any changes in its composition can cause operational challenges [2] Strategic Responses - The DOE's release of crude oil is part of a swap deal, ensuring that ExxonMobil will return the crude plus additional barrels later [4][17] - The release aims to stabilize regional fuel supply chains amid the ongoing disruption caused by zinc contamination [3][4] Inventory and Supply Challenges - Crude inventories in the Gulf Coast have reached their lowest seasonal levels in seven years, exacerbated by international and domestic supply challenges [5] - Factors such as wildfires in Canada, U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, and declining Mexican crude production have further strained supply options [5][6] Refining Operations Impact - Refineries optimized for Mars-grade oil face technical challenges when switching to alternative crude blends, with zinc contamination posing risks to refining equipment [7] - The uncertainty surrounding the contamination has led to reduced refining throughput and increased input costs, with gasoline and distillates demand at a five-year high [8] Market Volatility - Following the contamination announcement, Mars crude prices experienced significant volatility, trading at a 15-cent premium to U.S. benchmark crude after previously being at a discount [11][12] - The Mars stream handles approximately 575,000 barrels per day, making its reliability critical for regional supply planning [12] Chevron's Response - Chevron is actively working to resolve the contamination issue and has stated that it will not impact its current production guidance [13] - Industry sources suggest that the zinc contamination likely originated from drilling materials introduced during the new offshore well's start-up [14] Supply Alternatives - With the Mars stream compromised, refiners are seeking alternative supplies of medium sour crude, but such grades are becoming increasingly scarce [15] - Logistical challenges and technical limitations of refinery systems complicate efforts to secure substitute grades [16] DOE's Assurance - The DOE has confirmed that the temporary release of barrels will not interfere with ongoing efforts to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve [17] - The department remains committed to long-term energy security while addressing short-term disruptions [17] Conclusion - The zinc contamination incident highlights the vulnerabilities in the supply chain and the interdependencies within global oil markets [18] - The situation underscores the need for swift remediation and improved management protocols to safeguard against future disruptions [19]

Group 1 - Chevron Corporation plans to construct a $5 billion blue hydrogen and ammonia plant in Port Arthur, Texas [1][9] - The project, named Project Labrador, is expected to start construction in 2027 and begin commercial operations in 2032 [2][9] - Chevron is seeking funding through the HyVelocity Hub initiative to reduce the total investment in this low-carbon energy project [2][4] Group 2 - The project may qualify for tax exemptions, targeting the 10-year 45V clean hydrogen production tax credit, which could provide up to $3 per kilogram of clean hydrogen produced [3][4] - Chevron has made necessary filings for tax abatements to support the construction of the plant [1][4] - The successful development of Project Labrador could meet the deadline for accessing the 45V hydrogen tax credits, which expire on January 1, 2028 [3][9]