03Jan2022 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Happy New Year: So Far So Good!

Germanys Risky Decision To Phase Out Nuclear Power

As nat gas prices surge in Europe, Germany is kicking off the new year by moving ahead with plans to shutter three of its six remaining nuclear power plants, making good on a commitment made in the aftermath of Japan’s disastrous meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The decision was championed especially vigorously by the Greens, who are now helping to rule as part of Germany’s new “stop sign” ruling coalition. But soaring natural gas prices across Europe mean this concession to the environmental lobby couldn’t come at a worse time. It’s a

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Germanys-Risky-Decision-To-Phase-Out-Nuclear-Power.html

Norway Arctic Oil Drilling Ends Up In European Human Rights Court

The years-long battle of climate activists to have Norway stop drilling for oil in the Arctic is now at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), which has requested that Norway to respond to the so-called the People vs. Arctic Oil court application. At the end of 2020, the Norwegian Supreme Court voted 11-4 to reject a lawsuit from environmental groups that had sued Norway for opening up acreage in the Arctic to oil drilling years ago. In 2016, environmentalist organizations, including the Norwegian chapter of Greenpeace and Natur

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Norway-Arctic-Oil-Drilling-Ends-Up-In-European-Human-Rights-Court.html

2022 Could Be A Turning Point For Americas Clean Energy Ambitions

The winter months will show whether state legislators and utilities have learned the lesson from last Februarys Texas storm in ensuring grid reliability, while Democrats are scrambling to salvage President Joe Bidens proposed Build Back Better Act. Grid reliability, states clean energy goals, and further federal action to advance renewable energy will be the key themes in the U.S. electricity sector in 2022. The Biden Administration announced last year ambitious goals to promote green energy, including decarbonizing

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/2022-Could-Be-A-Turning-Point-For-Americas-Clean-Energy-Ambitions.html

OPEC+ Sees Smaller Oil Market Surplus In Q1

OPEC+ expects the surplus on the oil market in the first quarter of 2022 to be 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), or some 25 percent lower than it forecast in early December, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing internal OPEC+ research a day before the group is set to announce its production policy for February. Lower expected oil supply from non-OPEC+ producing nations was the key reason for a downgrade in the surplus estimate, according to Bloomberg. Expectations of strong demand this year have also resulted in a lower surplus forecast for the

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/OPEC-Sees-Smaller-Oil-Market-Surplus-In-Q1.html

Austria, Germany Slam EU For Labeling Nuclear Power, Natural Gas As Sustainable

The European Commission began this weekend expert consultations over whether nuclear power and some natural gas projects can be considered sustainable investments, receiving immediate backlash over green nuclear from Germany and Austria, which accused the EUs executive branch of greenwashing. Taking account of scientific advice and current technological progress, as well as varying transition challenges across Member States, the Commission considers there is a role for natural gas and nuclear as a means

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Austria-Germany-Slam-EU-For-Labeling-Nuclear-Power-Natural-Gas-As-Sustainable.html

The EU Is Racing To Redefine Green As Energy Prices Soar

With energy costs soaring and citizens complaining, the EU shifts to a more pragmatic energy policy… EU’s New Green Definition The EU Drafts a New Definition of Green that includes nuclear and natural gas. The European Union has drawn up plans to label some natural gas and nuclear energy projects as “green” investments after a year-long battle between governments over which investments are truly climate-friendly. The European Commission is expected to propose rules in January deciding whether gas and nuclear projects will be included in

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-EU-Is-Racing-To-Redefine-Green-As-Energy-Prices-Soar.html

Subpoenas issued to Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump in New York attorney general probe of ex-president’s company

New York Attorney General Letitia James is investigating whether the Trump Organization misstated the value of real estate assets for financial benefit.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/donald-trump-jr-ivanka-trump-subpoenaed-in-new-york-probe-of-trump-organization.html

Ford beats out Tesla to become the auto industry’s top growth stock in 2021

Ford accomplished this largely thanks to a leadership change in October 2020 from industry outsider Jim Hackett to auto veteran Jim Farley.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/ford-beats-tesla-to-become-auto-industrys-top-growth-stock-in-2021.html

Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Tesla, Wells Fargo, Nordstrom and more

These are the stocks posting the largest moves in midday trading.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-tesla-wells-fargo-nordstrom-and-more.html

Powerball’s jackpot surges to $540 million — yet doesn’t even crack the list of 10 largest lottery wins

Between Powerball and Mega Millions, the top 10 largest jackpots ever won range from $648 million to nearly $1.6 billion.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/powerballs-jackpot-surges-again-but-isnt-among-10-largest.html

Starbucks readies its workforce for Biden’s vaccine-or-test mandate

OSHA is mandating that private companies with at least 100 employees have to enforce weekly testing for unvaccinated workers.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/starbucks-readies-its-workforce-for-bidens-vaccine-or-testing-mandate.html

Bed Bath & Beyond’s wedding registry business slips, as Amazon and Target attract engaged couples ahead of anticipated wedding boom

Wedding registries are a key indicator for retailers’ brands, since they can deepen customer loyalty as couples get ready to buy a house or start a family.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/bed-bath-beyonds-wedding-registry-business-is-slipping-survey-finds.html

Sweetgreen rolls out a subscription program, as consumers kick off New Year’s resolutions

Sweetgreen has leaned heavily into technology, which allows its customers to personalize orders and also cuts down on wait times inside its stores.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/sweetgreen-rolls-out-sweetpass-subscription-program-eyeing-new-years.html

FDA expands Pfizer booster eligibility to kids ages 12 to 15, authorizes third shots at 5 months

New Covid infections have hit a pandemic high in the U.S. as the highly contagious omicron variant has supplanted delta as the dominant strain.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/fda-expands-pfizer-booster-eligibility-to-kids-ages-12-to-15.html

Planet Fitness CEO says gym visits are holding up against the omicron variant

U.S. gym visits for the month of October were down just 8% from 2019 pre-pandemic levels, according to tracking data from investment firm Jefferies.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/planet-fitness-gym-visits-holding-up-against-covid-omicron-variant.html

5 ways to reset your retirement savings and save more in 2022

The new year brings opportunities for many Americans in their careers and financial lives.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/5-ways-to-reset-your-retirement-savings-and-save-more-money-in-2022.html

5 things to know before the stock market opens Monday

U.S. stock futures rose Monday, the first trading day of 2022, even as Covid cases surged above year-ago pandemic highs.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-monday-jan-3.html

Chipotle adds meatless chorizo to its menu for limited time

Chipotle is launching plant-based chorizo nationwide, starting Monday, and available for a limited time.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/chipotle-adds-meatless-chorizo-to-its-menu-for-limited-time.html

Guggenheim names Nike its best idea for 2022, citing metaverse play

A Guggenheim analyst said Nike’s already dominant market share should continue to grow as it keeps scaling online and innovates with new footwear.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/guggenheim-names-nike-its-best-idea-in-2022-citing-metaverse-play.html

Bonds & Bullion Battered As Big-Tech Takes Off To Start The New Year

Bonds & Bullion Battered As Big-Tech Takes Off To Start The New YearWhile Apple’s $3 trillion market cap made the big headlines, it was bonds that really should have even as US Manufacturing survey slipped to 12-month lows as COVID cases are exploding at record pace…

AAPL now bigger than UK’s GDP…

TSLA was just silly too (adding almost 3 TWTRs today)…

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/bonds-bullion-battered-big-tech-takes-start-new-year

Uranium Stocks Soar After EU Seeks Green Light For Nuclear Projects

Uranium Stocks Soar After EU Seeks Green Light For Nuclear ProjectsLong before European energy prices went stratospheric, in December 2020, we predicted that Uranium stocks were set to surge as it was only a matter of time before the Green lobby lumped the Uranium sector along with the rest of the ESG space (see :”Uranium Stocks Soar: Is This The Beginning Of The Next ESG Craze”). So it would be stand to reason that the case to “bless” nuclear power was that much more powerful when European energy prices just went through a period of unprecedented hyperinflation.

That’s exactly what happened on the first day of the year, when uranium companies surged higher, extending on one of the best trades in the past year (the Uranium URA ETF is double since we first recommended the space in early Dec 2020), after the European Union said it is planning to allow some nuclear energy projects to be classified as sustainable investments, a proposal that sparked immediate criticism from the Greens who would rather freeze to death and spend all their money to keep warm during the winter than allow a few nuclear power plants to restart.

According to the draft, sent on Friday to EU national governments for review, nuclear energy could be classified as sustainable as long as new plants that are granted construction permits by 2045 meet a set of criteria to avoid significant harm to the environment and water resources, Bloomberg reported.

“The Commission considers there is a role for natural gas and nuclear as a means to facilitate the transition towards a predominantly renewable-based future,”

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/uranium-stocks-soar-after-eu-seeks-green-light-nuclear-projects

LA County Teachers Now Have To Wear ‘High-Quality’ Masks: Health Department

LA County Teachers Now Have To Wear ‘High-Quality’ Masks: Health DepartmentAuthored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times,

Teachers in Los Angeles County will be required to wear high-grade masks while in class, while staff and students must wear masks outdoors in crowded spaces under new rules.

The rule, which applies to both public and private schools in the county, was implemented as students return from their winter break, according to updated guidance from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.

“During this surge, given the spread of a more infectious strain of the virus, lapses can lead to explosive transmission,” Public Health Director Barbara Fe …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/la-county-teachers-now-have-wear-high-quality-masks-health-department

Twitter Suspends Grabien Media For Quoting Congressman

Twitter Suspends Grabien Media For Quoting CongressmanOn Friday, Twitter banned media company Grabien after repeating a quote from US congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ), who said “Big Pharma Won’t Consider Therapeutics Like HCQ or Ivermectin Because of Economic Interests.”

Grabien tweeted Biggs’ comment and linked to a video of him saying it.

Lo and behold, Twitter suspended Grabien’s account for “violating the policy on spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19,” according to founder Tom Elliott, who’s been documenting the actions against his media outlet via his personal Twitter account.

As I’ve documented earlier, @TwitterSupport doesn’t have an actual, transparent appeals process. There’s no way to verify they actually acknowledge the merits of an appeal.

Thread: https://t.co/vnsXNyN8fk

Piece: https://t.co/iHWcnYooaX

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 31, 2021

Elliott appealed, yet says he has “no confidence in Twitter doing the right thing.”

I’ve appealed, making this point. However I have no confidence in Twitter doing the right thing and acknowledging this tweet did not violate its terms & conditions.

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/twitter-suspends-grabien-media-quoting-congressman

Covid staff shortages will continue into New Year

Pub groups and retailers warn that sickness and isolation continue to blight their businesses.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59857417?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Turkey’s inflation hits 36% amid financial turmoil

The cost of living hits a 19-year high as the country refuses to raise its interest rates.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59857420?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

David Bowie: Singer’s estate sells rights to his entire body of work to WCM

Warner Chappell Music say they are “immensely proud” to be “chosen as caretakers”.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-59860096?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Tech View: Nifty breaches 50-DMA; analysts say holding 17,600 level key for further upside

For the day, Nifty50 closed at 17,627.30, up 273.25 points or 1.57 per cent. The upsurge not only resulted in a decent bullish candle but also in a decisive close above its 50-Day exponential moving averages, whose value is placed around 17,348 level.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/tech-view-nifty-breaches-50-dma-analysts-say-holding-17600-level-key-for-further-upside/articleshow/88667817.cms

Sebi notifies vault managers rules; allows bourses to set up gold exchange in India

The instruments representing gold will be called electronic gold receipts (EGRs) and will be notified as securities. These EGRs will have trading, clearing and settlement features akin to any other securities.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/commodities/news/sebi-notifies-vault-managers-rules-allows-bourses-to-set-up-gold-exchange-in-india/articleshow/88668138.cms

Revival in global trade can boost stock of this logistics co up to 80%

The successful operationalisation of dedicated freight corridor (DFC) will dramatically change the fortunes of Concor. The company expects a 10% volume benefit from phase I and an additional 15% as JNPT is connected in phase II. A sharp increase in its return ratios is expected in coming years.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/concor-can-treble-eps-over-the-next-two-years-why-it-is-this-weeks-stock-pick/articleshow/88660260.cms

Bond Report: 10-year Treasury yield pushes above 1.6%, highest level since November, to kick off 2022

Treasury yields kick off the new year with a rise on Monday, with the 10-year rate touching the highest level in more than a month, as investors turn more optimistic about the latest surge of COVID-19 cases.

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C05575-04D4-B545-782F-6572E7F6FFA9%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1

: Apple comes up short of $3 trillion market cap

Shares of Apple Inc. briefly crossed the threshold required for the company to achieve a $3 trillion market value Monday, though the stock then turned lower.

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C05575-04D4-B545-7831-B4BF0BA42B0F%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1

The Moneyist: My friend emailed to say she had intended to wish me a Happy New Year, but was upset I didn’t respond to her email requesting a charitable donation

‘Should I bite my lip and send a token donation, or tell her how I really feel and risk losing a good friend?’

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C05575-04D4-B545-782F-37DDCF1C727F%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1