European investigators are probing whether Russian military hackers breached computer systems on a vessel owned by MSC-Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, the world’s largest container shipping group, according to people familiar with the matter. https://t.co/oBVfBjZRw2 ...

Core Insights - The shipping industry is essential for global trade but faces challenges from inflation, tariffs, and supply-chain disruptions [1] - The outlook for the shipping sector is improving as macroeconomic conditions become more favorable heading into 2026 [2] Industry Overview - The shipping industry is considered the backbone of the world economy, handling the bulk of global trade [1] - Despite current challenges, the macro backdrop is showing signs of improvement, particularly in the United States where inflation is decreasing [3] Economic Factors - Easing monetary policies and lower global interest rates are creating favorable financing conditions for shipping companies [4] - Lower interest rates can stimulate consumer spending and business investment, boosting demand for shipping services [6] Shipping Stocks Performance - Companies like Seanergy Maritime Holdings (SHIP), Global Ship Lease (GSL), and KNOT Offshore Partners LP (KNOP) are positioned to benefit from the improving economic conditions [2][9] - The consensus estimate for 2026 earnings indicates significant growth: SHIP at 32.7%, GSL at 3.1%, and KNOP at 85.1% [10] Specific Company Insights - Seanergy Maritime is a leading Capesize ship-owner with a strong track record of exceeding earnings estimates, projecting a 32.7% increase in 2026 earnings [14] - Global Ship Lease operates a diversified fleet of containerships and has consistently outperformed earnings estimates, with a projected 3.1% increase in 2026 earnings [15] - KNOT Offshore specializes in shuttle tankers for crude oil transport and has shown exceptional earnings performance, with an expected 85.1% increase in 2026 earnings [16] Market Trends - The demand for capsize bulk carriers is expected to rise due to strong iron ore and bauxite demand, supported by the inauguration of Guinea's Simandou iron ore mine [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - Robin Energy Ltd. has announced a share repurchase program, allowing the company to buy back up to $1.0 million of its common shares, reflecting confidence in its financial position and market conditions [1][2]. Company Overview - Robin Energy Ltd. is an international ship-owning company that provides energy transportation services globally, operating a fleet that includes two LPG carriers and one Handysize tanker vessel [4]. Share Repurchase Program Details - The share repurchase may occur in open market or privately negotiated transactions, with the timing and price at the company's discretion, influenced by market conditions and other factors [2]. - As of December 16, 2025, the company had 14,028,731 common shares issued and outstanding [3].

Thailand is stepping up efforts to inspect domestic shipping vessels in a bid to prevent fuel and military supplies being diverted to Cambodia https://t.co/GG7OGlPn8R ...

Core Insights - The analyst team has demonstrated a strong track record, achieving an annualized return of almost 40% over the past decade, with a long-only model portfolio return exceeding 23 times [1]. Group 1: Investment Focus - The company offers income-focused investment options for those preferring lower-risk firms with consistent dividend payouts [1]. - The analyst has expanded coverage to include offshore drilling, supply industries, and the shipping sector, indicating a broadening of investment focus beyond technology stocks [2]. Group 2: Analyst Background - The analyst has a background in auditing with PricewaterhouseCoopers and has been a day trader for nearly 20 years, successfully navigating significant market events such as the dotcom bubble and the subprime crisis [2]. - The analyst aims to provide high-quality research to the Seeking Alpha community despite not being a native English speaker [2].

Company Overview - Euroseas (ESEA) is a containership operator based in Greece and is the only US-listed pureplay feeder operator [1] - Feeder container ships operated by Euroseas are smaller vessels, typically ranging from 700 to 3,500 TEU, which transport cargo to larger long-haul vessels [1] Investment Strategy - The company is focused on building a resilient, income-generating portfolio with a long-term growth mindset [1] - The investment approach is primarily long-only, blending dividend-paying equities, REITs, and other income strategies with selective growth opportunities [1] - The strategy emphasizes disciplined, fundamentals-driven investing, prioritizing capital preservation while compounding returns over time [1]

Group 1 - Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has submitted a bid to acquire ZIM, positioning itself as a leading contender for the takeover [1][2] - Hapag-Lloyd has also expressed interest in acquiring ZIM, although it has not confirmed its bid [2] - ZIM's board is currently undergoing a strategic review and facing a proxy fight from a minority investor group aiming to replace three board directors [3] Group 2 - MSC and ZIM have an existing partnership that includes slot-swapping and vessel-sharing, which began in February and involves services between Asia and the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts [4] - ZIM's shares rose nearly 6 percent following the news of MSC's bid [5] - MSC holds the largest container-carrying capacity in the industry with 967 vessels, accounting for 21.3 percent of the total market share by TEU, while ZIM ranks 10th with a capacity of 704,000 TEUs, representing 2.1 percent of the fleet [6] Group 3 - Neither MSC nor ZIM are part of the three major vessel-sharing alliances: the Ocean Alliance, the Premier Alliance, and the Gemini Cooperation [7] - ZIM's workers' committee has urged Israel's Transportation Minister to block the potential sale to Hapag-Lloyd, citing concerns over national security and supply chain stability [8]

Joining me now, Brian Jacobson, chief economist, Annex Wealth Management. Brian, great to have you back. Thanks for joining us.>> Yeah, thank you for having me. >> Brian, you say there's quite a bit to like about the outlook for 2026. Kick things off and tell us what you like.>> Sure. Well, I think maybe part of it is that it's not 2025. that uh was a little bit of a low bar there in terms of the policy uncertainty that we knew that we were going to be facing in terms of, you know, tariffs, taxes, all sorts ...

Economic Overview - Weaker-than-expected Chinese economic data negatively impacts global growth prospects, with November industrial production easing to +4.8% y/y from +4.9% y/y in October, below expectations of +5.0% y/y. Retail sales rose only +1.3% y/y, the smallest increase in 2.75 years, and new home prices fell 0.39% m/m, marking the 30th consecutive month of declines [1] - In the US, the December Empire manufacturing survey unexpectedly contracted by -22.6 points to -3.9, weaker than the expected 10.0, while the December NAHB housing market index rose +1 to an 8-month high of 39, aligning with expectations [2] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - Dovish comments from Fed officials suggest a supportive environment for stocks, with Fed Governor Stephen Miran stating that the current policy stance is unnecessarily restrictive, citing a benign inflation outlook and labor market concerns. NY Fed President John Williams indicated a shift towards a neutral monetary policy stance [3] - The outlook for lower interest rates is bolstered by a decrease in the 10-year T-note yield to 4.17%, with expectations of Fed-friendly economic news this week [4] Stock Market Performance - Stock indexes experienced declines, with the S&P 500 falling to a 2-week low and the Nasdaq 100 sliding to a 2.5-week low, driven by concerns over AI spending and disappointing outlooks from tech companies like Oracle and Broadcom [5] - The S&P 500 Index is down by -0.15%, the Dow Jones by -0.24%, and the Nasdaq 100 by -0.26% [6] Upcoming Economic Data - Market focus will be on upcoming US economic data, including expectations for a +50,000 increase in November nonfarm payrolls and a 4.5% unemployment rate. November average hourly earnings are expected to rise by +0.3% m/m and +3.6% y/y [7] Global Market Trends - Overseas stock markets are mixed, with the Euro Stoxx 50 up +0.56% and China's Shanghai Composite down -0.55%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed down -1.31% [8] Sector-Specific Movements - KLA Corp leads chip makers with a rise of more than +3% after an upgrade from Jeffries, while ServiceNow is down more than -10% following a downgrade by KeyBanc Capital Markets [13][16] - Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks are experiencing significant declines, with Bitcoin down more than -4% to a 2-week low, impacting companies like Riot Platforms and Galaxy Digital Holdings [14] - Energy stocks are also falling, with WTI crude oil down more than -1% to a 1.75-month low, affecting companies like APA Corp and Devon Energy [15]

Core Points - KNOT Offshore Partners LP has adjourned its 2025 Annual Meeting of limited partners due to a lack of quorum, rescheduling it for December 22, 2025, at 3 P.M. UK time [1] - The record date for voting remains November 6, 2025, and no changes have been made to the proposals for the meeting [2] - Unitholders who have already voted do not need to vote again, while those who have not are encouraged to vote using the original Proxy Card [3] Company Overview - KNOT Offshore Partners LP specializes in owning, operating, and acquiring shuttle tankers primarily under long-term charters in offshore oil production regions, particularly in Brazil and the North Sea [4] - The company is structured as a publicly traded master limited partnership but is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, issuing a Form 1099 to unitholders instead of a Form K-1 [5]