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Maguire: Winners and losers of the US rollback on climate policies
The repeal of the federal climate regulations that were the basis for U.S. energy regulation has thrown off the narratives about which sectors will win or lose in U.S. energy. The repeal of so-called Endangerment Findings removes the legal foundation for federal regulations of climate gas emissions, as well as a number of other rules that govern?pollution and the uptake of new clean energy technologies. Imminent court challenges are likely to cloud the picture on the impact of the repeal in the short term for various sectors. Regulators, utilities, companies, and communities will all be working to fill the regulatory vacuum that results. It is possible to draw some rough conclusions about which sectors will benefit and which ones may be affected by the new federal pollution standards, now that they have been diluted for the near future. CUT TO COMPLIANCE The repeal of federal emission laws will create a less regulated environment that is expected to be beneficial for firms engaged in the mining, distribution and combustion of fossil fuels as a source of power. The repeal of federal emissions regulations will be a big win for utilities with large coal and gas portfolios, since compliance costs and regulatory risks are likely to drop dramatically. Investors have certainly been more positive about the sector after the news of the repeal was announced. The stock prices for American Electric Power and Duke Energy, as well as NRG, all moved higher in recent sessions. Southern Company, and other fossil-fuel-reliant power systems, have gained ground as well since the news. This suggests that investors are seeing greater upside potential in power networks which primarily burn fossil fuels for electricity generation. Since the announcement of the repeal, shares of Peabody Energy - the U.S.'s largest coal miner - have also gained in value. CLEAN TECH SETBACKS Stocks linked to clean energy technologies and EV charging networks, as well as cutting-edge energy storage capabilities, have done less well since the repeal announcement, because the federally-driven momentum towards cleaner energy has lost steam. Vestas, the Danish manufacturer of offshore wind turbines, has seen its stock price come under fresh pressure after the news of repeal. This is likely to further erode U.S. interest offshore wind projects. Quantumscape, a U.S.-based solid-state battery manufacturer, also saw its shares fall as investors interpreted that the regulatory pivot would likely slow down the U.S. rollout of EVs. EVgo, the operator of charging stations, was also tarred in the same way. Shares fell to their lowest level since mid-2024 just after the news about the repeal became official. Recently, companies that provide software and services to manage grids and store energy have also suffered as the public's attention has shifted from traditional energy providers towards industries that facilitate energy transition. After the news of repeal was revealed, shares in STEM (an AI-driven company that helps utilities manage grid power flow) and Itron (a maker if sensors used by utilities for grid management) also suffered. WHAT'S NEXT? Even though investor sentiment has changed significantly in the U.S. Energy space since the Endangerment Finding repealed, there is no guarantee that fossil fuel companies are going to consistently outperform their clean energy counterparts. The emissions from fossil fuel utilities can be a major risk. Ironically, the Environmental Protection Agency was in charge of regulating pollution under the old federal pollution rules and not the court system. The shield that protects heavy polluters could disappear now that the EPA is no longer in charge of this oversight. This may open the door for new lawsuits from communities that are affected by the harmful discharge from power stations and other facilities. The threat of lengthy hearings and lawsuits could deter some utilities from continuing to operate coal plants that are decades old, even though the regulatory pressure for them to be closed has been lifted. Many utilities who are under pressure to increase power supplies will still view combination of renewables with battery systems as the fastest way to deploy this extra power regardless of the new emission rules. This could support the widespread adoption of solar panels, and battery storage across the country as fossil fuel producers gear up to increase?supplies. This means that, even though the federal U.S. regulations on pollution are expected to be "quickly scrapped", the major players in the production and distribution of energy in the U.S. could prove to be much slower than most people would expect to change their course. These are the opinions of a columnist who writes for. You like this article? Check it out Open Interest Follow ROI on Twitter for the latest global financial news. Follow ROI on You can find us on LinkedIn. Listen to the song Morning Bid daily podcast Spotify Or the . Subscribe to the podcast and hear the top news from markets and finance seven days a weeks.
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Airbus softens output goal amid Pratt & Whitney engine delays
'Airbus' lowered its main jet production goal?on Thursday citing "significant shortages of engines" from one of its main suppliers, RTX unit Pratt & Whitney. During the same time, it reported a 17% increase in core fourth-quarter profit. The largest planemaker in the world now targets an output rate for narrowbody jets of 70 to 75 per month by the end next year. This will stabilize at 75?per month after 2027. It predicted that the monthly rate would increase to?75 by 2027 from 60 currently. Airbus and engine maker Pratt & Whitney have been at odds over delays for several months. Both companies say they still haven't reached an agreement about?volumes? for 2026 or 2027. These agreements are usually made 18 months in advance. Airbus stated in a press release that Pratt & Whitney’s refusal to commit to the amount of engines ordered by Airbus negatively impacts this year's guidance as well as the ramp-up trajectory. Pratt and Whitney did not respond immediately to a comment request. Airbus has taken this step after it was reported earlier in the month that there were concerns about Pratt & Whitney's supply, which raised questions as to whether Airbus could meet its production targets. Airbus also announced a fourth quarter adjusted operating profit of 2.98 billion euro, an increase of 17%. Revenues grew 5% to 25,98 billion euro. Analysts expected a profit of 2.87 billion euros on revenues of 26.51 billion euro. Airbus?predicted that 870 jets would be delivered in 2026. This is up from 793 deliveries last year. The adjusted operating profit for the same period will be around 7.5 billion euro. (Reporting and editing by Muralikumar Aantharaman, Sonali Paul and Tim Hepher)
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Vietnamese airlines sign $30-bln deals for 90 Boeing jets
Three Vietnamese airlines have signed deals with U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing to purchase a total 90 aircraft as the United States and Vietnam continue their negotiating on a new trade agreement. To Lam, the leader of Vietnam's Communist Party visited the United States to attend the first meeting of the Board for?Peace. This initiative was launched by U.S. president Donald Trump in order to address "global conflicts". Vietnam Airlines announced in a press release that it had signed an agreement worth $8.1 billion with Boeing for the purchase of 50 narrow-body 737-8 jets. It said in a press release that the airline would take delivery of the aircraft between 2030-2032. This would bring its fleet total to approximately 151 planes by 2030. It said that the country's national carrier was also in discussions with Boeing about an additional purchase of 30 wide body planes worth up to $12 billion. Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a newly-established airline in Vietnam, also announced that it had signed a $22.5billion deal with Boeing to purchase 40 Dreamliner 787-9 jets. Vietjet, a?Vietnamese?budget?airline?, secured a $965-million financing deal with Griffin Global Asset Management to purchase?6 Boeing 737-8 planes. Vietnam announced early this month that it would be willing to purchase more American products after the White House announced that in October, 'the United States will?keep tariffs at 20% on most Vietnamese products while removing duty on certain goods.
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Bangladesh's new Prime Minister pledges price stability
After his party's landslide win in the parliamentary elections, Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh's new prime minister, has promised to restore the rule-of-law and advance economic reforms and infrastructure. Rahman 60, son of the former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and the assassinated president Ziaur Rahman was sworn into office on Tuesday. He assumes the presidency at a crucial time for the country. He must face urgent challenges such as restoring political stability and reviving industries like the garments industry after the 2024 uprising which brought down Sheikh Hasina's government. Rahman warned against profiteering in a late-night televised speech on Wednesday. Prices of staples like rice, edible oils, sugar, and lentils usually rise during Ramadan because of increased demand. "Ramadan, the month of purification for oneself is an important part of this holy season." Rahman stated that this period should not cause more hardship for the public. Do not use Ramadan to make money. Ensure essential goods remain affordable." The inflation rate is still high. Bangladesh's inflation rate in January 2026 was?8.58%, the highest level since May 2025. Food prices continue to put pressure on household budgets. Rahman stated that his government would "dismantle market syndicates" that exploit consumers, and strengthen mechanisms in order to "protect both buyers" and sellers. The administration will have as its top priority improving law and order, and enforcing anti-corruption laws. "The rule-of-law will be the last word in governing the country – not party influence, power or coercion." The Prime Minister also announced 'plans to overhaul, expand and modernize the national railway network, and to improve coordination between the rail, roads, waterways, and bridge ministries in order to create a transport system that would ease urban pressure and boost connectivity. (Reporting and editing by Raju Gopikrishnan; Reporting by Ruma Pau)
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Vietjet signs $965 million financing agreement for 6 Boeing 737-8 aircraft
Vietjet, a Vietnamese budget 'airline', has announced that it has signed a $965-million financing agreement with Griffin Global Asset Management. This is for the purchase of six Boeing 737-8 planes. Vietjet stated in a press release that the agreement was a'significant step' in their strategy to diversify international funding sources. To Lam, head of Vietnam’s Communist Party, signed the deal during his visit to the U.S. to attend the Board of Peace's inaugural meeting, an initiative started by U.S. president Donald Trump to tackle?global conflict. Vietjet announced on Thursday that it had signed an agreement with RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney earlier this month. The deal was worth $5.4 billion. * ?The Agreement The contract, which was originally announced at Singapore Airshow, is for the supply and maintenance of 44 engines for A321neo aircraft and A321XLR. (Reporting and editing by John Mair; Khanh Vu)
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JetBlue engine failure causes traffic disruptions at Newark Airport
Officials said that traffic was disrupted on Wednesday at Newark Liberty International Airport after a JetBlue flight bound for Florida?had an engine failure during takeoff. The plane returned to the airport. Around 5:55 pm, passengers and crew of Flight 543 exited on the Airbus A320 taxiway. The Federal Aviation Administration and JetBlue reported that the crew evacuated passengers using slides after reporting smoke in the cabin and cockpit. There were no injuries reported. Flightaware and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey said that nearly all flights had been halted at the airport outside of New York City for an hour. Flightaware is a website that tracks flights. It reported that 31% of arriving flights, or 183 flights, were delayed in Newark, along with 30%, or 177 flights departing. The FAA announced that it would be investigating the incident involving the plane bound for West Palm Beach in Florida. Safety is JetBlue's number one priority. "We are focused on supporting our crewmembers and customers, and we will work closely w/ the appropriate federal authorities to investigate what happened," said?JetBlue.
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Next week, the US House of Representatives will consider legislation relating to aviation safety.
The House of Representatives is set to consider aviation safety legislation on Monday. This will address dozens of recommendations made by the National Transportation 'Board. It was formed after a collision in January 2025 between a regional jet of 'American Airlines and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which killed 67. The U.S. Senate passed legislation unanimously in December known as the ROTOR Act that would require aircraft operators by the end of 2031 to equip their fleets with a safety system ?known as automatic-dependent-surveillance-broadcast system, or ADS-B. The bill will also increase oversight of commercial helicopter and jet traffic, as well as flight routes near airports. A spokesperson for the House Transportation Committee said that leaders of the House Transportation and Armed Services Committees were?working separately to introduce a comprehensive House Bill to address the issues raised by the crash. Major aviation unions, as well as many families of those killed on Wednesday, urged the House to pass the ROTOR Act quickly. The NTSB concluded last month that systemic failures on the part of the FAA caused the crash, which was the worst U.S. airline disaster since 2001. The NTSB determined that the FAA allowed helicopters to fly close to the airport without any safeguards to keep them separate from planes, and failed to act on its recommendations to move helicopter traffic away. The NTSB sent more than 30 recommendations to the FAA, citing several failures that occurred before the Washington crash. There have been 15200?air separation?incidents between commercial planes and helicopters near Reagan Airport since 2021. This includes 85?close call events. The NTSB has found problems with the way that the FAA manages traffic at Reagan. The NTSB also stated that the FAA rejected advice from its own staff to include hot spots on a chart of helicopter routes. FAA Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the agency did not also review helicopter routes as required annually and had routes which were not designed to provide proper separation. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson)
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Oil prices settle at 4% due to tensions between Iran and the US, while Russia-Ukraine negotiations end without a breakthrough
The oil prices rose by more than 4% on Wednesday, as traders priced-in potential supply disruptions due to concerns about conflict between the U.S.A. and Iran and after talks in Geneva failed to produce a breakthrough. Brent crude futures settled up $2.93 or 4.35% at $70.35 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled at $65.19. This is a gain of $2.86 or 4.59%. Both contracts reached their highest settlements in the past 30 days, rebounding from two-week lows. According to Phil Flynn of Price Futures Group, both contracts rose late in the session, by more than three dollars, on reports that Israel raised its alert levels on signs of an attack by the U.S. or Israel on Iran. U.S. Heating Oil Futures also rose?around 5%. Andrew Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates said that the oil price movements today are solely geopolitical. They continue to respond to headlines about meetings between U.S., Iran and Russia,?and Ukraine and Ukraine. He added that "the oil market prices in an additional risk of supply disruption." Oil fell on Tuesday after Iran's Foreign Minister said that Tehran and Washington reached an agreement regarding the principles to be used in nuclear talks. The semi-official Iranian Fars news agency announced on Wednesday that Iran and Russia would conduct naval drills in both the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean. Iranian state media reported that Iran temporarily closed parts of the Strait?Hormuz - a vital oil supply route for the world - due to "security precautions" while its elite Revolutionary Guards were conducting military drills in this area. State media reported that the strait was closed for a few minutes, but did not specify if it was fully reopened. "Iran is aware of (U.S. president Donald) Trump's negotiating tactics." It also knows that Trump does not want a disruption of oil exports from the Strait of Hormuz or a rise in oil prices up to $150 per barrel. "Iran can negotiate calmly." In a note sent to clients on Tuesday, the political consultancy Eurasia Group stated that it believes there is a probability of 65% of a U.S. strike against Iran before April's end. John Kilduff is a partner with Again Capital. He said: "Everyone is watching the amount of military gear that is flooding into the region from the U.S. This is an indication that hostilities will be imminent." RUSSIA AND UKRAINE PEACE TALKS END AFTER BREAKTHROUGH The two days of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended on Wednesday without a breakthrough. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Moscow of blocking U.S.mediated efforts to end this four-year war. Trump has repeatedly pressed Ukraine to accept a deal which could involve painful concessions. This is because Russian forces have been pounding Ukraine's power grid and advancing on the battlefield. Zelenskiy called the discussions "difficult." Kilduff, of Again Capital, said that if the talks go as Zelenskiy has suggested, we may finally see a drop in Russian exports to the world market. This would be a positive development. U.S. crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories Last week, the temperature dropped. Market sources said that American Petroleum Institute figures released on Wednesday were in stark contrast to the expectations of analysts. Crude stocks will rise by 2.1 millions barrels. The Energy Information Administration will release its official U.S. crude oil inventory report on Thursday. Reporting by Georgina Mcartney in Houston; Siddharth Cavale in New York; Stephanie Kelly and Alex Lawler, in London; Mohi Nrayan, in New Delhi, and Katya Glubkova, in Tokyo. Editing by Mark Potter and Kirby Donovan.
Berlin restores power after record-breaking outage caused by arson
On Wednesday, electricity will be restored to thousands of Berlin households after a suspected arsonist attack on a power station. The incident was the longest blackout in Berlin since World War Two.
In a?statement, Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said: "We will gradually restore the power grid to affected areas starting at 11 'am (1000 GMT)."
Early Saturday morning, a fire destroyed a cable duct that crossed a canal. This cut off power to more than 2,000 homes and?45,000 businesses in the southwest part of the city during a period of freezing temperatures.
Volcano, a far-left activist group that claimed responsibility for allegedly attacking a power pole near Tesla's factory in Berlin last year, has now taken the blame.
The German Army was called to assist residents who were suffering from an outage that also affected mobile phones, heating and trains.
Some politicians have demanded more funding to protect the infrastructure of the capital, particularly after the domestic intelligence agency warned about the growing threat from left-wing extremists. (Reporting and editing by Matthias Williams; Madeline Chambers)
(source: Reuters)