Delfin LNG Explosion Prompts Lawsuit, Broader Safety Concerns
On February 3, a pipeline explosion at the Delfin LNG export project in the Gulf of Mexico halted construction and triggered a lawsuit alleging negligence by the developers and contractors. The incident adds to a history of delays that have already pushed the project’s timeline back by several years. Regulators have announced heightened scrutiny of safety protocols for the facility and other Gulf LNG sites. The legal and operational setbacks could significantly increase project costs and defer the plant’s entry into service.
Market View: For Gas Prices, a Tale of Two North Americas
The Northeastern United States is enduring its coldest winter in over three decades, pushing spot gasoline prices to a significant premium. In contrast, Western Canada is enjoying its warmest winter in a century, easing local fuel costs. The divergent weather...
Sabra CEO: Skilled Nursing M&A Remains Relationship-Driven and Limited in 2026
Sabra Health Care REIT sold seven skilled‑nursing properties for $51 million in Q4, signaling a sharp pullback in nursing‑home M&A for 2026. The REIT’s pipeline will focus almost entirely on senior housing, which represents roughly 95% of its investment opportunities and...
Oil Prices, Feb. 13, 2026
Oil prices rose on Feb. 13, 2026 as OPEC+ announced an extension of its production cuts through 2027, supporting a tighter market. U.S. crude inventories dropped by 3.2 million barrels, further tightening supply. Brent crude settled at $84 per barrel,...
Early Estimates Point to Lower Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2027
Social Security delivered a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, boosting benefits by roughly $56 per month. Early government inflation data suggest the 2027 COLA could be markedly lower, with estimates ranging from 1.2% to 3.1%. Analysts warn that a...
Brazil Corn: Bids Rise Further
Bids for Brazil's Santos/Tubarao and Barcarena/Itaqui corn cargo markets rose on Friday, driven by a sudden influx of buyers ahead of the Carnaval holiday. Sellers, however, remain reluctant to negotiate, limiting the sustainability of higher prices. Farmers are curbing forward...
JEPI: Improving Economic Conditions Should Uniquely Benefit This Fund
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) uses a covered‑call strategy to target 7‑9% annual distributions, positioning it as a low‑volatility, income‑focused vehicle. The fund has consistently met its payout goals since inception, appealing to risk‑averse investors seeking steady cash flow....
Export Momentum Carries Corn Market Into New Year
U.S. corn prices remain buoyed by robust export demand that persisted into early 2025, according to Compeer Financial economist Megan Roberts. While prices are still below target levels, the export momentum offsets downward pressure. Roberts noted that a nationwide E15...
Central Alabama Water Downgraded by S&P
S&P Global Ratings lowered Central Alabama Water’s revenue‑bond rating to AA‑minus from AA and placed the issue on CreditWatch Negative. The downgrade reflects weakening liquidity, high debt levels and aging infrastructure, compounded by delayed budget adoption after a state‑mandated governance...
Figures on Automotive Securitization Tapes: Definitions Report - February 2026
The Fixed‑Asset Securitization Tracker (FAST) released its February 2026 Definitions report, detailing the data fields used in automotive securitization tapes. The document supplies precise definitions, code tables, and cross‑references to related transaction disclosures. By standardizing terminology, the report aims to simplify...
BATT Charges Ahead as Storage Steals the Spotlight
The Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF (BATT) has surged 14.5% year‑to‑date, outpacing the Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) and other pure‑play mining funds. Its 0.59% expense ratio and $117 million assets give investors exposure across the entire...
Higher Costs and Lower Prices Driving U.S. Cotton Acreage Decline
U.S. cotton growers are scaling back planting this spring as production costs surge 30% and farmgate prices slump, according to National Cotton Council data. The National Cotton Council’s grower survey shows intended acreage dropping to nine million acres, down from...
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 13, 2026
Brownfield Ag News reported mixed grain and livestock futures on February 13, 2026. Corn edged higher to $4.31 per bushel, while soybeans fell to $11.33. Livestock showed divergent moves: feeder cattle rose 42 cents to $366.15, whereas lean hogs slipped 55 cents to $91.27....
USDA Issues $1.89 Billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program Payments to Farmers
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency has released $1.89 billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments, representing the final disbursements for producers who applied for 2023‑2024 flood and wildfire assistance. Recipients who previously received partial payments will now receive a second...
Argentina's Drought Continues to Hit Corn, Soy
Argentina’s early‑February drought is already cutting corn and soybean yields, with Córdoba corn farmers reporting 10‑20 % losses and average yields falling to 6.4‑7 t/ha. In the core soy region, more than 500,000 t of soybeans are lost, pushing yields to about 3.8 t/ha....
Bond Yields Fall After CPI Report Shows Tamer Inflation
U.S. Treasury yields fell after the January CPI came in cooler than expected, pulling municipal bond yields lower as well. Despite the softer inflation print, analysts say the Federal Reserve will likely keep rates on hold and consider only a...
US Supreme Court Says Next Friday Will Be a Decision Day
The U.S. Supreme Court announced three decision days—Feb. 20, 24, and 25—when it will issue opinions, though it has not disclosed which cases will be decided. Lawmakers in the House have voted against new tariffs and the Senate is expected...
Weather Experts See Drought Relief Potential Under El Niño Shift
U.S. weather forecasters see a shift from La Niña to El Niño by summer, driven by warming central Pacific waters. The transition is expected to bring a wetter spring and an early‑summer rain pulse before a drier late‑season spell. Experts cite analog...
Fed's Goolsbee Sees Encouraging and Concerning Parts of the CPI Report
Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee highlighted a mixed CPI report, noting a modest 0.2% month‑over‑month rise in headline inflation and a steady 2.5% year‑over‑year rate. While core inflation matched expectations, services inflation remains elevated, keeping overall inflation around 3% and...
Correction to EU Biodiesel Prices on February 13: Pricing Notice
Fastmarkets announced a correction to several EU biodiesel FOB ARA prices published on February 13, 2026, after a calculation error incorporated prior‑day data. The revised figures show modest adjustments, such as UCOME outright rising to $1,419.50 per tonne and RME...
US Climate Rollback Set to Raise Gasoline Prices
The EPA’s own analysis shows that eliminating federal greenhouse‑gas standards for cars could lift gasoline prices by up to 29% by 2050, adding roughly 75 cents per gallon in constant dollars. Over the 2026‑2055 horizon, consumers may face a net...
AI Agent Traffic Drives First Profitable Year for Fastly
Fastly reported its first profitable fiscal year, posting $172.6 million in Q4 2025 revenue, a 23% year‑over‑year increase. The growth is driven by a surge in AI agent traffic, which now represents 29% of all web requests on Fastly’s edge network....
Barbados to Host IDB Invest Sustainability Week 2026, Focused on Mobilizing Private Investment
IDB Invest announced that Sustainability Week 2026 will be held May 26‑28 in Bridgetown, marking the first time the event takes place in the Caribbean. The three‑day forum will convene investors, companies and project sponsors to showcase investment‑ready opportunities in resilience, infrastructure,...
New Rules for M&A Financing, Loans Against Shares
The Reserve Bank of India issued final guidelines allowing banks to fund acquisitions only when the acquirer already controls the target and seeks to increase its stake from 26% to 90%. Borrowers must have at least ₹500 crore net worth, three...
Trade Pacts Will Open New Markets & Won't Hurt Farmers, Assures Chirag Paswan
India’s decade‑long reform agenda, highlighted by UPI, GST and digital payment schemes, is now bearing fruit, according to Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan. New free‑trade agreements, especially the pending pact with the United States, are expected to unlock fresh export...
Stars Are Aligning for Energy Stocks: How Active Can Help
Energy stocks are enjoying a robust start to 2026, driven by rising data‑center power demand and deregulation. The T. Rowe Price Natural Resources ETF (TURF), an active fund launched in June 2025, posted a 13% year‑to‑date gain and a 23.2% return over...
California Sees Healthy Demand for Water System Revenue Bonds
California’s Department of Water Resources issued a $546 million Central Valley Project water‑revenue bond under a new 2026 resolution, reporting a 4.14 % all‑in true interest cost. The 5 % coupon bonds carry yields from 1.70 % to 4.27 % and mature between 2027 and...
ACES Positions for $1.4T Grid Upgrade Wave
The ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) is positioned to profit from a $1.4 trillion U.S. grid‑modernization program slated through 2030, as utilities boost capital spending 12% in 2025 and are expected to increase it another 6% in 2026. Roughly 40% of...
Stable Money Leads Gold & Silver ETF Surge on ONDC as Investors Turn to Safe, Regulated Products
Stable Money reported record transaction volumes in gold and silver ETFs as Indian investors gravitate toward SEBI‑regulated products amid near‑record precious‑metal prices. The platform now handles over 95% of mutual‑fund trades on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), reflecting...
Lithuania Could Break EU Ranks Over Critical Minerals Deal
Lithuania warned it may negotiate a stand‑alone critical minerals agreement with the United States if the European Union fails to deliver a bloc‑wide pact promptly. The move aims to secure rare‑earths, battery metals and other strategic inputs for its defense...
Austin Bond-Related Cases Seek Texas High Court Rulings
Austin’s $1.6 billion convention‑center replacement, financed mainly through revenue bonds, has entered a legal showdown at the Texas Supreme Court. Petitioners seeking to halt demolition argue the city clerk’s signature count fell short, while the city maintains the count was accurate....
Mitigate Concentration Risk in Tech, Energy With RSPT & RSPG
In a volatile market, Invesco’s equal‑weight ETFs RSPT and RSPG offer sector exposure while limiting concentration risk. Both funds track S&P 500 equal‑weight indexes, giving roughly 1.5‑2% weight to each constituent instead of the 40% dominance seen in cap‑weighted peers like...
Instacart Jumps 7% on Strong Results as CEO Calls Grocery Competition Fears 'Overblown'
Instacart reported fourth‑quarter revenue that beat expectations and a 14% rise in gross transaction value, its strongest growth in three years. Orders reached 89.5 million, surpassing StreetAccount forecasts, and the company projected GTV of $10.13‑$10.28 billion for the year, above analyst estimates....
Midday Cash Livestock Markets
Midday cash cattle markets stayed quiet, with Nebraska bids at $238 live and Texas asking $245‑247 live but little action. At Wheeler Livestock Auction, steers under 650 lb rose $5‑16 while larger steers held steady and heifers showed mixed price moves....
Friday's ETF with Unusual Volume: MKTN
The Federated Hermes MDT Market Neutral ETF (MKTN) saw unusually high trading activity on Friday, with 295,000 shares changing hands—about seven times its three‑month average volume. The fund’s price rose roughly 0.7% during the session. Among its top holdings, Intel...
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Add New Rate Buydown Disclosures
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin reporting loan‑level interest‑rate buydown information as a new attribute, L‑117, starting April 20 for MBS issued on or after May 1. The disclosures classify loans into five categories—moderate, significant, other, not applicable, and not available—using...
The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway: Still Growing 8 Years Later
Eight years after its 2018 launch, the Addis Ababa‑Djibouti Railway has become a fully Ethiopian‑Djiboutian‑run, electrified corridor linking land‑locked Ethiopia to the Port of Djibouti. Management shifted from China Railway Construction Corporation to the two governments in May 2024, and Djibouti’s top...
Cash Dairy Prices End Week Mostly Steady
Cash dairy prices were largely unchanged on Friday, with most commodities holding steady on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Butter slipped $0.03 to $1.7050 per pound after Thursday’s gain, while nonfat dry milk edged up $0.0025 to $1.60. Dry whey, 40‑pound...
Analyst Report: Altria Group Inc.
Altria Group, a legacy tobacco conglomerate, is confronting a shrinking base of smokers, which is pressuring its traditional cigarette revenues. The company’s core brands include Philip Morris USA and John Middleton cigars, while its smoke‑free portfolio features NJOY, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco and...
Carbon — In Focus: EU ETS in Political Crosshairs
Political scrutiny of the EU emissions trading system intensified in mid‑February, pushing the front‑year EU ETS contract down almost 6% on Feb 5 and a further 7% after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comments. EU officials denied reports of extending free‑allowance allocations beyond...
Q&A: What Long-Term REIT Performance in Pension Plans Means for Investors
A new CEM Benchmarking study covering 26 years shows public REITs generated 9.72% annual net returns, outpacing private real estate’s 7.79% by roughly 2 percentage points. The analysis, based on realized performance from 462 pension plans, highlights that only internally...
Fast Recognition for This Gold Income ETF
The NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) launched in June 2025 and has quickly amassed over $367 million in assets as of February 2026. By writing covered‑call options on gold, the actively managed fund delivers a 30‑day SEC yield of 1.88%...
Delayed Publication of Turkey Flat Steel Prices
Fastmarkets announced that its latest Turkey flat steel price assessments were released with a one‑hour delay. The delayed release includes eight indices covering hot‑rolled, cold‑rolled, galvanized and pre‑painted coils across import, export and domestic EXW/FOB terms. These prices are part...
Football Has a Real Fossil Fuel Problem – and It’s Not Sustainable
Football’s rapid expansion—more teams, matches, and tournaments—has turned the sport into a major carbon emitter, with its footprint now comparable to Austria’s national emissions. The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, dramatically increasing global travel for players, fans, and...
Floaters May Be Fantastic Alternative to T-Bills
Floating‑rate notes are gaining traction as a higher‑yielding alternative to Treasury bills, especially as short‑term rates rise. VanEck's IG Floating Rate ETF (FLTR) offers a 4.28% yield, low duration, and strong credit quality, making it attractive for income‑focused investors. The...
Druzhba Flows Halted, More Russian Refineries Under Attack
Slovakia and Hungary have reported a complete halt of Russian crude deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, marking the latest escalation in the energy conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. Simultaneously, a series of drone attacks this week have damaged several Russian...
Delayed Publication of In-Warehouse Rotterdam Vanadium Pentoxide, CIF Rotterdam and Baltimore APT, CIF Global Tungsten Concentrate Price Assessments
Fastmarkets announced a 16‑minute delay in publishing three key price assessments for vanadium pentoxide, tungsten APT, and tungsten concentrate. The delayed entries—MB‑V‑0001, MB‑W‑0001, and MB‑W‑0005—are part of the company’s ores and alloys pricing package. Fastmarkets provided contact details for feedback...
Hecla Nearly Doubles Exploration Budget
Hecla Mining announced it will spend $55 million on exploration and pre‑development in 2026, almost doubling the $27.7 million invested last year. The budget targets its Nevada projects and existing assets in Alaska, Yukon and Idaho, aiming to replace or exceed annual...
One in Three French Car Manufacturing Jobs Was Lost in Dramatic 13-Year Decline
Employment in France’s automotive sector dropped from 425,500 in 2010 to 286,800 in 2023, a loss of nearly 139,000 jobs or 33 %. The decline was driven primarily by car manufacturers, which shed 46,000 positions, while parts suppliers lost 31.5 % of...
Aramco Set for Initial Jafurah Condensate Exports
Saudi Aramco will load its first cargoes of Jafurah condensate in March, following the start‑up of the giant Jafurah wet‑gas project late last year. The development converts wet gas into condensate and LPG, adding a new stream to the kingdom’s...