Esteban Alejandro/iStock via Getty Images ConocoPhillips ( COP ) has suffered damages as a result of the Iranian situation. Oil industry executives in general are frustrated by the uncertainties caused mostly by indefinite communication about the Iranian situation. This is the latest in a long string of frustrations voiced by industry executives, including ConocoPhillips executives, about what the...
Esteban Alejandro/iStock via Getty Images ConocoPhillips ( COP ) has suffered damages as a result of the Iranian situation. Oil industry executives in general are frustrated by the uncertainties caused mostly by indefinite communication about the Iranian situation. This is the latest in a long string of frustrations voiced by industry executives, including ConocoPhillips executives, about what the industry needs compared to what the industry is getting (or lack thereof). " Conoco (COP), which owns a 30% stake in QatarEnergy's Ras Laffan LNG facility—the world's largest—that was closed after suffering substantial damage in an Iranian attack, is " pleading " with the Trump administration for military "protection around the U.S.-owned assets in Qatar and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment," Lance said." This is coming from a Seeking Alpha article that was referenced in the second sentence of this article. It is far from the only thing that industry executives are concerned about. The industry itself was far from satisfied about the whole situation with the administration before the Iranian situation probably made things more challenging. I wrote about this all last year. Now the administration wants more production from the industry to bring oil prices down. But things do not work that way. Profit Requirements In an industry that is notoriously volatile and uncertain, this industry requires some darn good communication about administration intentions along with good solid follow-up. But the execution side is very changeable (to say the least). Therefore, to expect the industry to increase production at a time when oil prices are uncertain and there is little to no guidance that would lead the industry to expect a certain range of oil prices is asking a bit much. Dallas Federal Reserve Survey Of Industry Executives Asking About Production Increases (Dallas Federal Reserve Energy Industry Survey First Quarter 2026) Note that this just came out because the ques...
VV Shots/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thesis Investors appear to be currently split over two controversial fears in the stock market. One thesis argues that traditional software is facing obsolescence as artificial intelligence begins to simplify the software coding process. A different cohort of investors believes that today's AI infrastructure spending is a speculative bubble that may never...
VV Shots/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thesis Investors appear to be currently split over two controversial fears in the stock market. One thesis argues that traditional software is facing obsolescence as artificial intelligence begins to simplify the software coding process. A different cohort of investors believes that today's AI infrastructure spending is a speculative bubble that may never yield a return, effectively writing it off as a waste of capital. Microsoft ( MSFT ) sits at the center of this debate and is under pressure from both sides. Microsoft remains primarily a software company, with its 'productivity and business segment' accounting for over 42% of total revenue. On the other hand, the company's capital expenditure, which is mostly AI infrastructure spending, has risen to 27% of total revenue, reaching $83 billion over the last twelve months. Despite current market skepticism, I believe Microsoft is positioned to navigate this transition in a way the broader market has yet to fully appreciate, which is why I am initiating a Buy rating on Microsoft stock. Software Obsolescence The first argument is that generative artificial intelligence and the rise of vibe coding will eventually allow enterprises to replace established software with custom-built internal applications. There is also a concern that as AI increases individual productivity, the total number of software licenses required by a company will decline, eroding the seat-based revenue model that drives much of Microsoft's growth. This thesis, however, overlooks the fundamental nature of enterprise IT infrastructure. Large corporations and government agencies cannot easily accept the risk of compromising the security or efficiency of their hundreds of thousands of employees. Microsoft's enterprise customers are paying for a trusted, audited, and globally compliant ecosystem. A vibe-coded AI application cannot easily replicate the deep integration and security standards that Microsoft has b...
VV Shots/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thesis Investors appear to be currently split over two controversial fears in the stock market. One thesis argues that traditional software is facing obsolescence as artificial intelligence begins to simplify the software coding process. A different cohort of investors believes that today's AI infrastructure spending is a speculative bubble that may never...
VV Shots/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thesis Investors appear to be currently split over two controversial fears in the stock market. One thesis argues that traditional software is facing obsolescence as artificial intelligence begins to simplify the software coding process. A different cohort of investors believes that today's AI infrastructure spending is a speculative bubble that may never yield a return, effectively writing it off as a waste of capital. Microsoft ( MSFT ) sits at the center of this debate and is under pressure from both sides. Microsoft remains primarily a software company, with its 'productivity and business segment' accounting for over 42% of total revenue. On the other hand, the company's capital expenditure, which is mostly AI infrastructure spending, has risen to 27% of total revenue, reaching $83 billion over the last twelve months. Despite current market skepticism, I believe Microsoft is positioned to navigate this transition in a way the broader market has yet to fully appreciate, which is why I am initiating a Buy rating on Microsoft stock. Software Obsolescence The first argument is that generative artificial intelligence and the rise of vibe coding will eventually allow enterprises to replace established software with custom-built internal applications. There is also a concern that as AI increases individual productivity, the total number of software licenses required by a company will decline, eroding the seat-based revenue model that drives much of Microsoft's growth. This thesis, however, overlooks the fundamental nature of enterprise IT infrastructure. Large corporations and government agencies cannot easily accept the risk of compromising the security or efficiency of their hundreds of thousands of employees. Microsoft's enterprise customers are paying for a trusted, audited, and globally compliant ecosystem. A vibe-coded AI application cannot easily replicate the deep integration and security standards that Microsoft has b...
An old Soviet-era Lada car drives past a truck belonging to a private Cuban company (mipyme) parked in front of a gas station with an IsoTank of imported fuel in Havana on March 19, 2026. Adalberto Roque | Afp | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump said he has "no problem" with a Russian crude tanker delivering fuel to Cuba, appearing to reverse course over his administration's oil blockade as...
An old Soviet-era Lada car drives past a truck belonging to a private Cuban company (mipyme) parked in front of a gas station with an IsoTank of imported fuel in Havana on March 19, 2026. Adalberto Roque | Afp | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump said he has "no problem" with a Russian crude tanker delivering fuel to Cuba, appearing to reverse course over his administration's oil blockade as the island grapples with a deepening energy crisis . Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said: "If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that, whether it's Russia or not." His comments come as a Russian-flagged oil tanker, the sanctioned Anatoly Kolodkin, makes its way to Cuba carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil. The tanker is reportedly expected to reach port on Monday and is seen as something of a lifeline to the Caribbean nation, which is facing its biggest test since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Cuba had been heavily dependent on oil supplies from Venezuela, but it has effectively been cut off since early January when the U.S. launched an extraordinary military operation to depose Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration subsequently threatened to impose tariffs on any country that sent crude to Cuba, prompting the likes of Mexico to halt shipments. The Kremlin has previously shrugged off Trump's tariff threats, pointing out that Washington and Moscow "don't have much trade right now." Read more Cuba partially restores power and vows ‘unyielding resistance’ to U.S. oil blockade U.S. says Cuba is prohibited from taking Russian oil as two tankers head to island Is Cuba next? What the fallout from the Iran war means for Havana Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel said last week that the island hadn't received oil shipments in more than three months. The communist-run country, which has said it is holding talks with the U.S., has sought to dramatically increase its solar p...
Judicial independence is under threat as populist politicians target judges and authoritarian governments attempt constitutional reforms Revealed: Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of law In March last year, a Paris court found Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement and barred her from running in next year’s presidential race in France. The far-right figurehead took to the a...
Judicial independence is under threat as populist politicians target judges and authoritarian governments attempt constitutional reforms Revealed: Five EU governments found to ‘consistently’ dismantle rule of law In March last year, a Paris court found Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement and barred her from running in next year’s presidential race in France. The far-right figurehead took to the airwaves to slam a “political decision” and “denial of democracy”. Le Pen, who has appealed, said she had been subjected to a “tyranny of judges” and a “political assassination”. The “system” had dropped “a nuclear bomb” on her. The presiding judge was then threatened by others on social media and her home address shared. Continue reading...
Target shares have rallied in 2026 as its turnaround gains traction, but Wall Street may be hitting pause, waiting on clearer signs the strategy is working.
Target shares have rallied in 2026 as its turnaround gains traction, but Wall Street may be hitting pause, waiting on clearer signs the strategy is working.