Fitness rule for offshore drilling faces uncertain future
The Biden administration could publish a draft of the long-awaited fitness...
The Biden administration could publish a draft of the long-awaited fitness to operate standard for offshore oil and natural gas operations in January, months later than originally planned. The rule, which could prevent companies with poor compliance records from acquiring new drilling leases, could be revised or indefinitely delayed by the Trump administration.
Russia reportedly struck Ukraine with an experimental missile
Kyiv accused Russia of launching an intercontinental...
Kyiv accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)—a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead—but US officials said it was actually a “medium-range” experimental missile. In a televised statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strike was “in response to the use of American and British long-range weapons.” The US recently gave Ukraine the green light to launch American-made missiles into Russia, which the country did for the first time this week. The experimental missile launch marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has now lasted more than 1,000 days.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The...
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The International Criminal Court also issued warrants for crimes against humanity for former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, whom Israel says it killed in an airstrike. The warrant means that Netanyahu is supposed to be arrested if he steps foot in one of the 124 member states of the ICC, though it’s likely not all of them would comply. (The US is not a member.) Netanyahu called the arrest warrant “absurd” and said it would not deter him from continuing Israel’s war in Gaza.
More Trump cabinet chaos: In addition to Matt Gaetz withdrawing his name for attorney general, a police report revealed new graphic details of a sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth, the president-elect’s pick for secretary of defense, while unearthed audio of HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed him comparing Trump to Hitler.
SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who was appointed by President Joe Biden and known to be tough on crypto, said he plans to step down in January.
The Container Store’s $40 million Hail Mary investment deal with Bed Bath & Beyond’s parent company is likely to fall through, per a regulatory filing.
The CFPB announced it will regulate digital wallets like Apple Pay, Cash App, and PayPal more like banks to ensure their compliance with federal laws.
Around the Horn, ESPN’s popular discussion show hosted by Tony Reali, will end in 2025, The Athletic reported.
Oil prices end near a 2-week high on escalation in Russia-Ukraine missile exchange
Oil prices climbed Thursday, with U.S. and global benchmark...
Oil prices climbed Thursday, with U.S. and global benchmark crude settling at their highest levels in nearly two weeks, as traders monitored reports from Ukraine claiming Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.
The missile was described as Moscow's first use of a long-distance missile designed to deliver nuclear weapons since the conflict began in February 2022. Still, Western officials disputed that such weapons were used.
Price moves
-- West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery rose $1.35, or 2%, to settle at $70.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Based on the front month, WTI ended at its highest since Nov. 8, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
-- January Brent crude the global benchmark, rose $1.42, or 2%, to $74.23 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe, the highest since Nov. 7.
-- December gasoline added 0.7% at $2.06 a gallon, while December heating oil HOZ24 rose 2.2% to $2.27 a gallon.
-- Natural gas for December delivery climbed by 4.6% to $3.34 per million British thermal units, scoring the highest settlement in about a year.
Dow ends up 1.1% to score best session since day after U.S. election
Big banks, retailers, and heavy equipment makers helped Wall Street...
Big banks, retailers, and heavy equipment makers helped Wall Street to substantial gains Thursday, putting tech in the back seat despite semiconductors' decent outing after Nvidia's (NVDA) earnings. The S&P 500® index (SPX) is now up four days in a row.
Though one session isn't a trend, it felt like the market reclaimed some of the cyclical strength that dominated right after the election and, to some extent, earlier this fall. Cyclical sectors like financials and industrials, which often do best when the U.S. economy warms up, led the way both then and today. Here's where the major benchmarks ended:
The SPX buoyed 31.60 points (0.53%) to 5,948.71; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) rose 461.88 points (1.06%) to 43,870.35; and the Nasdaq Composite®($COMP) stayed relatively flat, up 6.28 points (0.03%) to 18,972.42.
The 10-year Treasury note yield added two basis points to 4.42%, staying rangebound.
The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) slipped to 16.87, still above last week's levels.
