You can see in the chart below the dramatic fall of coal as America’s primary source of fuel for power generation. After the Obama administration hammered coal with new regulations, and new natural gas sources were found in shale plays across America, many coal plants were no longer economically feasible. The other big movers on […]

America’s Energy Future
E.J. Smith

Europe is set to receive rare shipments of Omani and UAE crude after Chinese refiners cut purchases, freeing up Middle Eastern barrels that typically flow to Asia, reports Bloomberg. The shift is redirecting cargoes toward Europe, where refiners are taking advantage of the increased availability. The change highlights how weaker Chinese demand is reshaping global […]

Europe Gets Unusual Oman and UAE Oil Shipments
Dick Young

Foreign direct investment in the United States climbed to $232.2 billion in 2025, a 49.5% increase from 2024 and the strongest level in years. Most of the investment came through acquisitions of existing US companies, with manufacturing attracting the largest share of capital, reports the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Updates to 2024 Expenditures for New Foreign […]

US Foreign Investment Surges 50% in 2025
Dick Young

The United States, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel have signed an agreement to establish the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center (EMEC) at Rice University in Houston, reports the US Department of Energy. The initiative aims to deepen cooperation on energy security, natural gas development, LNG infrastructure, critical infrastructure resilience, and emerging energy technologies. The partnership is designed […]

A New Energy Alliance Takes Shape
Young Research

The SunZia Wind Project, now in commercial operation, has become the largest wind farm in the United States with 3,650 MW of generating capacity from 916 turbines across central New Mexico. Developed by Pattern Energy after nearly two decades of planning and permitting, the project more than doubles New Mexico’s wind capacity and makes wind […]

America’s Biggest Wind Project Begins Commercial Operations
Young Research

You are living in a “haves and have yachts” world, with the “haves” being the steady economy and the “have yachts” being the rock star stock market. They aren’t running at the same pace. But that’s where we are. Whether this divergence continues is the question. It’s why if you’ve won the war and are […]

Your Survival Guy’s RAGE Gauge: Develop a Plan
E.J. Smith

The Financial Times says shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has become increasingly risky due to regional conflict, forcing many oil tankers to use a narrow alternative route along Oman’s coast under US protection. About 15 ships a day are using this corridor, with US air cover helping maintain limited oil flows to global markets. […]

Risky Omani Route Emerges as Pressure Mounts in Strait of Hormuz
Dick Young

The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 1.1% in May, matching April’s increase and marking a continued acceleration in wholesale inflation, reports the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, prices were up 6.5%, the largest annual gain since late 2022. Most of the monthly increase came from a sharp rise in goods prices, […]

US Producer Prices Jump 1.1% as Energy Costs Surge
Dick Young

The US Energy Information Administration explains that US biofuel compliance credits (RINs) have doubled in value since the start of 2026, driven mainly by higher federal blending mandates under the Renewable Fuel Standard. These higher prices, along with strong gasoline and diesel prices, have significantly improved profits for ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel producers. As […]

US Biofuel Market Booms on Higher Compliance Credit Values
Dick Young

The Washington Post article, Trump Vows to Hit Iran “Very Hard Tonight,” Threatens to Seize Kharg Island, describes a sharp escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran after Iran launched attacks on US bases in the Middle East. In response, Donald Trump threatened major retaliatory strikes and said the US could take control […]

Trump Signals New Military Action and Eyes Iran’s Oil Hub
Dick Young

War and politics have a way of scrambling signals from what might otherwise be an orderly economic cycle. That can somewhat explain the disconnected economic data you can find in Your Survival Guy’s “Charting Your Course.” But when the data feed is full of noise, sometimes clearer pictures can push their way through. Here are […]

The Many Mixed Signals of the Global Economy
E.J. Smith

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.5% in May 2026, following a 0.6% rise in April. Over the past twelve months, inflation reached 4.2%, up from 3.8% in April. The increase was largely driven by higher energy prices, which rose 3.9% during the month and accounted […]

US Inflation Rises to 4.2% in May 2026 Amid Higher Energy Costs
Dick Young

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s May 2026 Survey of Consumer Expectations shows a mixed but weakening picture of household sentiment. Short-term inflation expectations edged down slightly, while medium- and long-term expectations stayed stable, and expected home price growth rose to its highest level since 2022. At the same time, labor market confidence softened, […]

New York Fed Reports Deteriorating Household Financial Outlook
Dick Young

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that US existing-home sales rose 3.2% in May 2026 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.17 million, marking the strongest monthly gain of the year and the highest sales pace since December 2025. The increase was driven by improved affordability conditions earlier in the spring, including slightly […]

US Home Sales Rebound to Highest Level Since December
Young Research

Shipowners have placed a record number of orders for very large crude carriers (VLCCs), surpassing the previous peak set in 2008, with 262 supertankers now on order worldwide, Bloomberg reported. The surge is being driven by strong tanker earnings during the current Iran-related disruption, which has pushed charter rates to multi-year highs as rerouted trade […]

VLCC Newbuild Surge Raises Fears of Future Tanker Market Glut
Young Research

When your lazy cash is sitting on your couch, streaming shows, and eating all your food, it makes you wonder if it could lead a more productive life. One thought that comes to mind is using it for yourself, where you take the trips, and you enjoy the fruits of your labor. Yes, it’s expensive, […]

There’s Always Competition for Your Cash
E.J. Smith

Global semiconductor sales reached $110.5 billion in April 2026, up 11% from March and nearly 94% higher than a year earlier, marking the industry’s 14th consecutive month of growth. The strongest annual gains came from the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and China. SIA also endorsed a forecast from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organization projecting global chip […]

AI Infrastructure Fuels Explosive Growth in Semiconductor Market
Young Research

The US trade deficit narrowed slightly to $55.9 billion in April 2026, down 1.2% from March, as exports and imports both increased, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Exports rose to $327.1 billion, driven by higher shipments of capital goods, computers, civilian aircraft, and crude oil, while imports climbed to $383.0 billion, led […]

AI Boom Drives Chip Imports While US Exports Rise
Dick Young

The Times of Israel article, “Why the Houthis Threatening Red Sea Shipping Could Be Worse for the Oil Market This Time,” examines the Houthis’ renewed threat to Red Sea shipping after the Iran-backed group announced a ban on Israel-linked vessels amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The move has raised concerns about global energy […]

Iran’s Red Sea Wild Card: The Houthis Reenter the Fight
Dick Young

Bloomberg examines how the global LNG market is being strained by damage to Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex and broader disruptions linked to conflict in the Gulf. Qatar has long been one of the world’s most reliable LNG suppliers, so any prolonged outage raises significant concerns for energy-importing nations in Asia and Europe. They report […]

Global Gas Markets Face Tight Supply Across Multiple Scenarios
Young Research