The US is selling Venezuelan oil at 30% higher prices than before as it completed its first sale worth roughly $500 million, according to the US Department of Energy.The sale came in the wake of the US’ stunning Jan. 3 raid that captured dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy.“We’re getting about a 30% higher realized price when we sell the same barrel of oil than they sold the same barrel of oil three weeks ago,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday duri ...

Key Takeaways EIA sees U.S. natural gas prices averaging under $3.50/MMBtu in 2026 due to oversupply.The outlook also projects prices surging over 30% in 2027, creating an entry opportunity for investors. XLE and FENY offer exposure to major gas producers with export strength, helping buffer weak U.S. prices. As the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases its updated 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook in January, forecasting a potential price decline for natural gas this year, the current spotlig ...

Key Takeaways PTEN will lease two APEX 1500 drilling rigs to Archer under a multi-year agreement for Argentina.PTEN's rigs will support Archer's YPF contract, with Archer covering prep, upgrades and mobilization costs.PTEN expects the high-spec rigs to begin operating in the Vaca Muerta formation by mid-2026.Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (PTEN) , a leading provider of onshore drilling and pressure pumping services, has secured a significant agreement to lease two state-of-the-art APEX 1500 drilling rigs to DLS ...

Market Overview - Futures are trading higher, indicating a potential positive close to the week after a significant rally on Thursday, driven by a combination of factors including positive economic data and strong earnings reports from major banks [1] - The Dow Jones closed up 0.60% at 49,442, the S&P 500 rose 0.26% to 6,944, and the Nasdaq increased by 0.25% to 23,530, with the Russell 2000 leading the gains at 0.86% [1] Treasury Bonds - Treasury yields increased across the curve as sellers returned, influenced by positive inflation reports and labor market news, which led to speculation that interest rate cuts may be delayed until June [2] - The 30-year bond closed at 4.80%, while the 10-year note was at 4.17% [2] Oil and Gas - Oil prices fell sharply, with Brent Crude down 4.12% to $63.78 and West Texas Intermediate down 4.42% to $59.28, ending a five-day winning streak due to reduced military tensions and oversupply concerns [3] - Natural gas saw a slight increase, closing at $3.14, up 0.74% [3] Gold and Silver - Gold prices experienced a minor decline of 0.24%, closing at $4,615, attributed to profit-taking and reduced geopolitical tensions [4] - Silver also fell by 0.84% to $92.29, with traders noting it may not be included in the critical minerals tariff list for now [4] Cryptocurrency - The cryptocurrency market faced a downturn, primarily due to the postponement of a key US Senate crypto bill, with Bitcoin dropping below $96,000 during trading [5] - Bitcoin was trading at $95,357 and Ethereum at $3,304 at 8 AM EST [5] Analyst Upgrades - Garmin Ltd. upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight with a target price increase to $217 from $208 [12] - Honeywell International Inc. upgraded to Overweight from Neutral, target price raised to $255 from $218 [12] - PepsiCo Inc. raised to Outperform from Neutral with a target price of $179 [12] - Rocket Lab Corp. upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight, target price increased to $105 from $67 [12] - Seagate Technology Holdings plc raised to Neutral from Negative, target price increased to $280 from $150 [12] Analyst Downgrades - ConocoPhillips downgraded to Underperform from Neutral with a target price of $102 [12] - Devon Energy Corp. downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform, target price set at $41 [12] - HP Inc. cut to Underweight from Equal Weight, target price reduced to $18 from $24 [12] - Kraft Heinz Co. downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight, target price trimmed to $24 from $27 [12] - MGM Resorts International cut to Underweight from Equal Weight, target price lowered to $33 from $40 [12] Analyst Initiations - Martin Marietta Materials Inc. initiated with a Neutral rating and a target price of $700 [12] - Staar Surgical Co. resumed coverage with an Underweight rating and a target price of $13 [12] - TFS Financial Corp. assumed coverage with a Neutral rating and a target price of $15 [12] - Unity Software Inc. started with a Buy rating and a target price of $52 [12] - Vulcan Materials Inc. initiated with a Buy rating and a target price of $345 [12]

Core Viewpoint - Two stocks are highlighted for investors with strong income characteristics and a buy rank, specifically Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. and United Community Banks, Inc. [1][2] Group 1: Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. (REPX) - The company operates in the oil and natural gas sector [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.5% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a dividend yield of 5.7%, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.0% [1] Group 2: United Community Banks, Inc. (UCB) - The company is a bank holding company [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 0.7% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a dividend yield of 3%, which is above the industry average of 2.1% [2]

Core Viewpoint - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence and consulting with competent advisors before making any financial decisions, particularly in relation to investments in cryptocurrencies and CFDs [1]. Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party materials intended for educational and research purposes [1]. - It explicitly states that the information should not be interpreted as a recommendation or advice for investment actions [1]. - The accuracy and reliability of the information are not guaranteed, and users are advised to consider their individual financial situations before relying on the content [1]. Group 2 - The website discusses the complexities and high risks associated with cryptocurrencies and CFDs, highlighting the potential for significant financial loss [1]. - It encourages users to conduct their own research and fully understand the instruments and risks involved before making investment decisions [1].

Core Viewpoint - Mitsubishi Corporation is set to acquire shale gas assets in the U.S. for a total of $7.53 billion, marking a significant investment in the American energy market [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes $5.2 billion in equity purchases and $2.33 billion in debt from Aethon Energy Management [2]. - The assets are located in Texas and Louisiana, indicating a strategic focus on key energy-producing regions in the U.S. [2]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - This investment aims to strengthen the earnings base of Mitsubishi's natural gas and LNG businesses [2]. - The company plans to accelerate the development of an integrated value chain in the U.S., encompassing upstream gas development, power generation, data center development, chemicals production, and related businesses [3].

Core Viewpoint - Equinor ASA is positioned as a vital player in Europe's oil and gas industry, with a justified Buy rating due to its solid financial health and rising need for its assets amidst macro pressures [2]. Internal Developments - Equinor's production in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) increased by 9%, US onshore production rose by 40%, and offshore production also grew by 9% in Q3'25, while international production declined due to asset divestments [3]. - The company anticipates a 4% growth in overall oil and gas production for 2025 [3]. - Total capital distribution for the year is expected to be around $9 billion, yielding approximately 14.75% based on a market cap of about $61 billion [4]. - Share buybacks were predominantly executed in Q3, with the State's buybacks being significant, as Equinor aims to maintain the state's ownership through repurchasing shares in line with its open market buybacks [5].

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a new round of sanctions targeting senior Iranian officials and financial entities tied to the country's crackdown on protesters and international sanctions evasion networks.Key ‘Iranian Leaders’ SanctionedOn Thursday, in a statement on X, Bessent said that at the direction of President Donald Trump, the Treasury Department was “sanctioning key Iranian leaders involved in the brutal crackdown against the Iranian people,” adding that the department will use “ev ...

1月16日，国内期市原油系板块全线飘绿，燃料油、原油主力跌逾3%。具体来看，截止目前，原油主力 下跌3.16%，报438.10元/桶；燃料油主力下跌3.47%，报2529.00元/吨；低硫燃料油主力下跌2.84%，报 3045.00元/吨；液化石油气主力下跌2.73%，报4128.00元/吨。 低硫燃料油仓库期货仓单18280吨，环比上个交易日持平； 中质含硫原油期货仓单3464000桶，环比上个交易日持平； 1月16日原油系期货价格行情 | 合约名称 | 开盘价 | 昨收价 | 昨结价 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | SC原油 | 441.80 | 446.60 | 452.40 | | 燃料油 | 2558.00 | 2586.00 | 2620.00 | | 沥青 | 3153.00 | 3167.00 | 3177.00 | | 液化石油气 | 4203.00 | 4233.00 | 4244.00 | | 低硫燃料油 | 3062.00 | 3087.00 | 3134.00 | 1月15日，商品仓单数据显示： 燃料油期货仓单0吨，环比上个交易日持平； 石油沥青厂库期货仓 ...