Researchers Develop Revolutionary Cathode Material for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries hold promise for bringing more energy dense and low-cost batteries closer to market. University of California – San Diego engineers have developed an advanced cathode material for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries that is healable and highly conductive, overcoming longstanding challenges of traditional sulfur cathodes. These improvements overcome the limitations of lithium-sulfur batteries’ current cathodes. The reporting work paper has been published in the journal Nature. Solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Researchers-Develop-Revolutionary-Cathode-Material-for-Lithium-Sulfur-Batteries.html

Peter Schiff Questions Bitcoin’s Value As ‘Halving’ Event Nears

Via SchiffGold.com, Peter Schiff recently appeared on Market Overtime with Oliver Renick for an interview. In their wide-ranging discussion, Peter speaks on monetary policy, the reliability of inflation data, and reasons to avoid Bitcoin. Contrary to the popular narrative, gold’s recent rise is not because of world conflicts. Inflation is the driving force behind the metal’s price action: “This is just the beginning of a massive re-pricing of gold, and people aren’t even buying it yet. You have central banks buying, but…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Metals/Gold/Peter-Schiff-Questions-Bitcoins-Value-As-Halving-Event-Nears.html

The Great Game Returns to Central Asia

The Great Game is playing out once again in Central Asia, but it is getting a new name and adopting a different set of rules. Economics, not politics, is defining the terms of the current superpower competition for regional influence, according to a report prepared by a Kazakh research institute.  There is a key difference governing the global rivalries in Central Asia in the 19th and 21st centuries: these days, regional states, not outsiders, wield the more influence over potential outcomes, according to the report, titled Pursuing Multi-Vectorism…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/International/The-Great-Game-Returns-to-Central-Asia.html

U.S. Drilling Activity Inches Up

The total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States rose this week, according to new data that Baker Hughes published on Friday, for an increase of 2. The total rig count was 619 this week, compared to 753 rigs this same time last year. The number of oil rigs rose by 5 this week. Oil rigs now stand at 511–down by 80 compared to this time last year. The number of gas rigs fell by 3 this week to 106, a loss of 53 active gas rigs from this time last year. Miscellaneous rigs stayed the same at 2. Meanwhile, U.S.…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/US-Drilling-Activity-Inches-Up.html

Bi-Partisan E15 Gasoline Bill Introduced in House

Representative Nunn has introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives The Year-Round E15 Act of 2024. This bill aims to temporarily apply the E10 Reid vapor pressure limitations to E15 fuel blends in several Midwestern states. Specifically, the bill targets Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. If enacted, the Act would come into effect from May 1, 2024, and would run until September 15, 2024. During this period, E15 sales would be allowed year round in those specific states. Reid vapor pressure limitations…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Bi-Partisan-E15-Gasoline-Bill-Introduced-in-House.html

Mysterious Iranian ‘Spy’ Ship Returns Home As Israel-Iran Conflict Worsens

A suspected Iranian spy ship that its own government calls an “intelligence and logistics” vessel returned home this week after a three-year mis, as well as more recently lingering near Yemen for months. The Iranian ‘spy ship’ BEHSHAD (9167289), which had a hand in the Red Sea Crisis by assisting Houthis in launching attacks against commercial and naval vessels over the past several months, has now returned to Iran after a 3-year deployment. We were able to verify her in… pic.twitter.com/NqJ3LYdIWY — TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers)…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Mysterious-Iranian-Spy-Ship-Returns-Home-As-Israel-Iran-Conflict-Worsens.html

Nigeria To Launch Crude Trading at its Commodity Exchange

Africa’s biggest oil producer, Nigeria, plans to offer up to 20% of its crude oil production for trading on its commodities exchange, Akinsola Akeredolu-Ale, the chief executive of the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange, told Bloomberg in an interview published on Friday. The official didn’t elaborate on when the exchange’s first-ever crude trading would begin. The goal of the launch of crude oil trading is to expand access to financing for the oil and gas industry, on which Nigeria relies for most of its foreign…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Nigeria-To-Launch-Crude-Trading-at-its-Commodity-Exchange.html

Russian Refineries Install Nets as Protection From Drone Attacks

Russian oil company Bashneft, part of state-controlled giant Rosneft, has installed metal mesh at its refineries to protect them from drone attacks from Ukraine, Russian media reported on Friday, quoting Radiy Khabirov, the head of the Bashkortostan region where Bashneft is based. “We don’t stop there. There are a number of solutions there, which I won’t talk about yet. They are classified. But believe me, we worry about this very much,” the Bashinform agency quoted Khabirov as saying.   This year, Ukraine has intensified…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Russian-Refineries-Install-Nets-as-Protection-From-Drone-Attacks.html

Oil Price Volatility Soars Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

Oil price volatility has climbed dramatically as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, with Brent breaking the $90 mark early on Friday morning before falling back to the $86 handle.Friday, April 19th 2024The drastic seesawing of oil prices in recent trading sessions reflects the uncertainty surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict, with initial reports of Israeli strikes on Iranian soil ratcheting up Brent above $90 per barrel, only to see them plunge back to $86 per barrel following Tehran’s dismissal of their impact. The reimposition…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Oil-Price-Volatility-Soars-Amid-Geopolitical-Uncertainty.html

Biden Administration Restricts Oil Drilling and Mining in Alaska

The U.S. Administration finalized on Friday a strategy to help protect federal lands, which includes restricting access to drilling and mining in a large part of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The Public Lands Rule is aimed at helping safeguard the health of America’s public lands by ensuring that the U.S. protects clean water and wildlife habitat, restores land and waters that need it, and makes informed management decisions based on science, data, and Indigenous knowledge, the Interior Department’s the Bureau…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Biden-Administration-Restricts-Oil-Drilling-and-Mining-in-Alaska.html

International Oil Drilling Boosts SLB’s Net Profit in Q1

SLB (NYSE: SLB), the world’s largest oilfield services provider, reported on Friday 14% higher net income for the first quarter compared to the same period last year, amid strong international drilling demand that more than offset a weaker North American market.  SLB has been saying for several consecutive quarters that it expects strong international drilling business going forward, boosted by a rebound in offshore drilling and growing demand for oil and gas. SLB saw its net income rise to $1.07 billion for the first…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/International-Oil-Drilling-Boosts-SLBs-Net-Profit-in-Q1.html

Profit Taking Is Putting Downward Pressure on Oil Prices

Selling Pressure, Profit-Taking Dominate Trade This week, crude oil markets experienced significant volatility to the downside, driven by geopolitical concerns, unexpected inventory adjustments, and changes in demand. Although escalation fears between Israel and Iran loomed over the markets, price responses were muted, reflecting a complex set of influences on oil pricing. Geopolitical Tensions and Market Responses Concerns over potential supply disruptions due to tensions between Israel and Iran were top of mind this week. However, Israel’s…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Profit-Taking-Is-Putting-Downward-Pressure-on-Oil-Prices.html

Oil Traders Hedge Geopolitical Risk With Record Options

1. Venezuela Braces for Impact After US Reimposes Sanctions –  The Biden administration reimposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry after its six-month waiver expired on 18 April, with the White House providing oil firms with a 45-day grace period to wind down operations. – The US waiver was linked to President Maduro’s agreement to hold a free and fair presidential election in July and to allow opposition politicians to participate, but both Maria Corina Machado and her proxy replacement Corina Yoris were barred from running.…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Oil-Traders-Hedge-Geopolitical-Risk-With-Record-Options.html

U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela Snap Back Into Place

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict At midnight on Thursday, the six-month temporary oil sanctions relief Washington granted Venezuela last October expired, and the Biden administration moved to reimpose those sanctions, which was met with backlash in Caracas, where the move was described as a U.S. attempt to “control and manipulate the Venezuelan oil industry”. Nicolas Maduro was given every opportunity to comply with the conditions of the sanctions relief, yet, has continued to work to ban, arrest, or otherwise prevent the rise of…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/US-Sanctions-on-Venezuela-Snap-Back-Into-Place.html

Explaining the Israel and Iran Missile Exchange

Oil markets have largely discounted the Iranian missile and drone barrage directed at Israel because it was essentially a ruse designed not to inflict any damage, but to save face at home and abroad. Almost all of the missiles were intercepted by Israeli defense systems, yet Tehran was able to boast of its first direct attack on Israel.  What should be more worrisome for oil markets is Israel’s response to Iran’s response (to Israel’s response), which came around midnight on Thursday, when first reports of an explosion inside…

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Explaining-the-Israel-and-Iran-Missile-Exchange.html

Nasdaq falls more than 2% to post 6th straight losing day as Nvidia craters 10%: Live updates

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were on track for 6 sessions in a row.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/18/stock-market-today-live-updates.html

Super Micro plunges as investors rotate out of red-hot AI stock ahead of earnings later this month

Super Micro Computer shares plunged on Friday as investors peeled back their holdings of one of the stock market’s hottest names.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/super-micro-plunges-ahead-of-third-quarter-earnings-later-this-month.html

Tesla recalls Cybertruck over ‘trapped pedal’ issue seen in owner’s viral TikTok video

Tesla has issued a voluntary recall of 3,878 of its Cybertruck vehicles to repair a “trapped pedal” issue seen in a viral TikTok video.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/tesla-cybertruck-recalled-over-trapped-pedal-issue-seen-in-viral-video.html

Citadel Securities blasts Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes over DJT short selling letter

Citadel Securities, whose founder is Ken Griffin, was mentioned in a letter by Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes. Donald Trump owns most DJT shares

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/citadel-securities-blasts-trump-media-ceo-over-djt-short-sale-letter.html

How BlackRock’s Rick Rieder would reimagine the 60/40 portfolio with today’s higher rates

The so-called balanced portfolio of 60% equities and 40% fixed income could use a rethink as rates remain high.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/how-blackrocks-rick-rieder-would-reimagine-the-60/40-portfolio-with-todays-higher-rates.html

Trump trial: Jury filled for hush money case, opening arguments possible Monday

A full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected Friday for the New York criminal hush money trial of Donald Trump.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/trump-trial-set-to-pick-final-alternate-jurors-for-hush-money-case-.html

New York AG says $175 million Trump fraud bond isn’t properly backed, should be voided

Donald Trump was ordered to pay more than $460 million damages in a civil business fraud lawsuit lodged by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/new-york-ag-says-175-million-trump-fraud-bond-isnt-properly-backed-should-be-voided.html

Something strange has been happening with jobless claims numbers lately

For five of the past six weeks, the level of initial jobless filings totaled exactly 212,000.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/something-strange-has-been-happening-with-jobless-claims-numbers-lately.html

Bitcoin rises to $64,000 in the final hours before the halving: CNBC Crypto World

CNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what’s ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today’s show, Crypto World explores the bitcoin halving’s impact on the cryptocurrency’s price and why some think this halving will be different from those in the past.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/04/19/bitcoin-moves-higher-to-cross-64000-in-final-hours-before-the-halving-event.html

Lululemon to shutter Washington distribution center, lay off 128 employees after tripling warehouse footprint

Lululemon is shutting down its Washington distribution center and laying off 128 employees after it opened a massive new warehouse outside of Los Angeles.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/lululemon-to-shutter-washington-warehouse-lay-off-128-employees.html

Fed’s Goolsbee says ‘more sniffing’ may be needed before rate cuts

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago president Austan Goolsbee on Friday said “more sniffing” is needed before the Fed can cut interest rates. Here’s what to know.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/feds-goolsbee-says-more-sniffing-may-be-needed-before-rate-cuts-.html

Trump Media alerts Nasdaq to potential market manipulation from ‘naked’ short selling of DJT stock

Donald Trump owns nearly 60% of Trump Media, which operates the Truth Social app. DJT shares are sharply down since their March trading debut.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/trump-media-alerts-nasdaq-to-potential-market-manipulation-from-short-selling.html

Bitcoin halving isn’t a big deal for long-term investors, but may have a ‘huge’ impact on one key group, says Columbia professor

Bitcoin’s upcoming halving is likely to impact miners and long-term holders differently, says Columbia professor.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/what-bitcoin-halving-could-mean-for-investors-and-miners.html

Climate Worries Are Non-Credible, Luxury Beliefs That Harm Civilization Itself

Authored by Joakim Book via The Mises Institute,

I live in a small village at the edge of lands surrounded by very harsh nature. Those who occupied these valleys in ages past lived ruthlessly dangerous lives, where starvation was a constant worry, the sea just as often nurtured as it took away, and the winters were long and perilous. Nowadays, while I’m walking the desolate mountains or admiring the fierce storms from inside my nice, sheltered existence, echoing in my head is Thomas Hobbes’s descriptions of man’s precivilizational life: “Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

In the 2020s, we live fairly comfortable lives here, my fellow villagers and I. Our hearths are warm, our command over economic goods excellent. We live long, safe lives, where nobody starves and where almost nobody perishes in outbursts of nature’s wrath. We use mach …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/climate-worries-are-non-credible-luxury-beliefs-harm-civilization-itself

Nike “Permanently” Laying Off 740 Employees At World Headquarters

US athletic footwear and apparel company Nike announced late in the cash session on Friday that it is undergoing a restructuring effort to trim costs at its World Headquarters (WHQ) located in Beaverton, Oregon.

Michele Adams, VP of People Solutions at Nike, might be the most hated person at the company this afternoon. In a letter to staff, she wrote that “approximately 740 employees at WHQ” will be “permanently” laid off by late June.

“As a result of a second phase of impacts, which will take effect by June 28, 2024, approximately 740 employees at WHQ will have been impacted by this and the recent prior permanent reduction of the workforce,” Adams said.

In December, Chief Executive Officer John Donahoe said the company would reduce its global headcount by 2% as management moves forward with a cost-savings program of as much as $2 billion over the next three years.

Data from Bloomberg shows that Nike’s total headcount stood at around 83,70 …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/nike-permanently-laying-740-employees-world-headquarters

How Big Tech Is Consuming America’s Electricity And Water

Authored by Kevin Stocklin via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

As federal net-zero policies attempt to shift transportation, heating, and other essentials onto the electric grid, one of the hottest growth sectors of America’s economy is poised to increase electricity demand exponentially, further straining an energy infrastructure that is being pushed into the red.

(Illustration by The Epoch Times, Getty Images, Shutterstock)Data centers, the so-called “brains of the internet,” are industrial warehouses packed with rows upon rows of servers. They process, communicate, and store the data behind everything from bank records, online retailers, and social media platforms to Netflix shows and your personal i …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/how-big-tech-consuming-americas-electricity-and-water

Cocoa Hyperinflation Accelerates As Grindings Show No Demand Destruction

Cocoa hyperinflation is insane. The latest data from the futures market shows that cocoa prices in New York surged above the $12,000 per ton level today as the pace of processing in factories remains robust. This indicates that demand destruction has yet to emerge despite the massive multi-month parabolic price surge.

Cocoa futures surged 18% in the last two days to a record high of $12,125. Prices are up more than 190% year-to-date and are in breakout territory.

Bloomberg says the news today about grindings—where cocoa transforms into butter and powder used in candy—only dropped 2% in Europe and marginally lower in Asia for the first quarter compared with the same quarter one year ago.

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/cocoa-hyperinflation-accelerates-grindings-show-no-demand-destruction

Oil price eases as Iran downplays attack

Oil prices eased after Iran said a missile strike from Israel did little damage.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2vwl91qe6do

Post Office lawyer ‘missed’ key Horizon finding

A top lawyer says he and others missed a finding in 2014 that the software could be accessed remotely.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68855686

Tesla recalls Cybertrucks over accelerator crash risk

The electric car company, run by Elon Musk, is recalling thousands of what is its latest vehicle.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9ezp0lv039o

Tech View: Nifty forms bullish reversal pattern. What traders should do next week

The psychological mark of 22,000 holds intermediate support, followed by strong support of the 21,800-21,700 subzone. On the higher end, the 20-DEMA placed at 22,300, followed by a bearish gap of 22,430-22,500, is likely to act as a daunting task in the near period and an authoritative breakthrough could only re-strengthen the lost momentum to the bulls of D-Street, said Osho Krishan of Angel One.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/tech-view-nifty-forms-bullish-reversal-pattern-what-traders-should-do-next-week/articleshow/109438159.cms

5 smallcap stocks nearing ‘buy’ point. Do you own any?

MarketSmith suggests considering ITD Cementation, Neuland Laboratories, Arvind Smartspaces, Sharda Motor Industries, and Choice International as potential buys based on various financial and technical indicators.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/5-smallcap-stocks-nearing-buy-point-do-you-own-any/slideshow/109421450.cms

Lok Sabha election begins: How Nifty may behave before results and which stocks to buy?

Investors monitor Sensex behavior during Lok Sabha election. FPIs sell Indian stocks. Hope for a good monsoon. Structural growth opportunity in Indian equities. Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Tata Motors, and HAL among recommended stocks.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/lok-sabha-election-begins-how-nifty-may-behave-before-results-and-which-stocks-to-buy/articleshow/109420668.cms

Rate-cut expectations give way to questions about a Fed hike — and how much higher interest rates should go

Portfolio managers, economists, and Federal Reserve policy makers are all asking the same question: Are U.S. interest rates, now at a 23-year-high of 5.25% to 5.5%, high enough?

Read more at: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rate-cut-expectations-give-way-to-questions-about-a-fed-hike-and-how-much-higher-interest-rates-should-go-f2ea9622?mod=mw_rss_topstories

Here’s what Biden can really do to ensure gas prices are ‘affordable’

Gasoline prices are on the rise this election year, and President Joe Biden’s team wants to make sure they’re “affordable” for Americans — but can the White House actually do that?

Read more at: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-what-biden-can-really-do-to-ensure-gas-prices-are-affordable-5c017fa4?mod=mw_rss_topstories

Fed report highlights risks to financial stability if interest rates stay higher for longer

The biggest worry for the global financial system is that the Federal Reserve keeps monetary policy tighter than expected, according to experts surveyed by the central bank.

Read more at: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-report-highlights-risks-to-financial-stability-if-interest-rates-stay-higher-for-longer-0e384d49?mod=mw_rss_topstories