In a strategic executive move, Xcel Energy Inc. $XEL has appointed Ryan Long as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. This transition comes as the energy sector faces increasing regulatory scrutiny across state and federal levels, alongside rising demands for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) accountability and energy infrastructure modernization.
Keyera Corp. $KEYUF, a leading energy infrastructure company based in Calgary, has announced a landmark acquisition of Plains' Canadian natural gas liquids (NGL) business, along with select U.S. assets, for a total of $5.15 billion. This move marks one of the most significant consolidation efforts in North America’s midstream sector in recent years and is set to reshape the NGL logistics landscape across Canada.
New York-based fuel technology company Aircela has revealed a breakthrough in sustainable energy production with the public demonstration of a compact machine that synthesizes gasoline directly from ambient air. Presented in Manhattan before a diverse audience of government officials, investors, and energy specialists, the innovation signals a significant advancement in direct air capture (DAC) and synthetic fuel integration — technologies increasingly viewed as critical to decarbonizing global energy systems.
Vertical Aerospace, a British developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced on Thursday the expansion of its collaboration with Bristow Group $VTOL —a move that underscores the accelerating momentum in the urban air mobility (UAM) sector.
The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly halved its projected procurement request for Lockheed Martin’s $LMT F-35 fighter jets, signaling a significant shift in near-term military spending priorities. According to Bloomberg, a recent document submitted to Congress seeks funding for only 24 new F-35 aircraft in fiscal year 2025—down from the previously anticipated 48 units.
Citigroup Inc. $C has revised its forecast for interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), pushing the timing of monetary easing from July to September 2025. The adjustment follows a stronger-than-expected May jobs report, which signaled resilient labor market conditions despite broader signs of economic cooling. The brokerage now anticipates three 25 basis point (bps) rate cuts — totaling 75 bps — in September, October, and December, down from its previous forecast of four cuts totaling 100 bps.
Hyundai Motor Co. $005380.KS and Kia Corp. $000270.KS, two of South Korea’s leading automotive manufacturers, have partially or fully exited their equity holdings in Ola Electric Mobility Ltd. $OLAELEC.NS, one of India’s most prominent electric vehicle (EV) startups.
Australia’s Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced a 3.5% increase to the national minimum wage, effective from July 1, 2025. The decision directly impacts approximately 2.6 million of the country's lowest-paid workers and comes at a time when inflationary pressures are receding, giving policymakers room to support real income growth without reigniting price instability.
Argentina recently executed its first major bond issuance in seven years, raising $1 billion USD through peso-denominated bonds. This sale marks a notable milestone, reflecting a tentative restoration of trust by global investors in a country that has been grappling with persistent economic instability and triple-digit inflation. The offering represents both a critical test of Argentina’s ability to access international capital markets and a gauge of investor appetite for emerging market sovereign debt under challenging conditions.
In April, Tesla Inc. $TSLA experienced a staggering 49% year-on-year drop in vehicle sales across Europe, according to new data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). This contraction sharply contrasts with the 27.8% year-on-year growth in the region’s electric vehicle (EV) segment, raising concerns about the brand's regional positioning despite a broader shift toward e-mobility.
Apple Inc. $AAPL has launched a new round of promotional pricing in China, offering additional discounts on select iPhone models through June 18, according to a company update on its official Chinese website. The move is part of a broader effort to maintain momentum in the world’s largest smartphone market, where competition has significantly intensified.
Over-the-counter (OTC) stocks of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surged to their highest levels since 2008 on Thursday after former US President Donald Trump indicated potential plans to take the mortgage giants public. The US Treasury currently holds preferred shares in both companies and retains rights to acquire approximately 80% of their common equity, a remnant of the 2008 housing crisis bailout. This potential privatization signals a major shift in US housing finance policy and has drawn significant attention from investors and policymakers alike.
