March has been volatile thus far, with S&P 500 down about 3% for the month as of March 18. It is the continuation of negative market sentiment that began forming in late 2025. The March decline has been fueled by uncertainty around the war in Iran and rising oil prices. Also, still elevated inflation and a weak job market have contributed to investor jitters. Investors who want to balance out thei...
March has been volatile thus far, with S&P 500 down about 3% for the month as of March 18. It is the continuation of negative market sentiment that began forming in late 2025. The March decline has been fueled by uncertainty around the war in Iran and rising oil prices. Also, still elevated inflation and a weak job market have contributed to investor jitters. Investors who want to balance out their portfolios and navigate choppy markets might want to consider an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is built to thrive in down markets. Here are three ETFs built to handle volatile markets. 1. Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF The Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI 1.87%) has outperformed the broader market by a wide margin this year. The ETF is up 8.3% year to date as of March 18, offsetting negative returns for the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500. Its outperformance in this market stems from its diversification away from large-cap U.S. equities. The ETF focuses on international stocks that have high dividends, low volatility, and sustainable earnings. Expand NYSEMKT : LVHI Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust - Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF Today's Change ( -1.87 %) $ -0.74 Current Price $ 38.90 Key Data Points Day's Range $ 38.72 - $ 39.63 52wk Range $ 28.46 - $ 41.70 Volume 1.1M It holds about 185 mostly large-cap and mid-cap international stocks from some 19 different developed nations. Stocks from Canada, Japan, and the U.K. have the most representation. Shell, Novartis, and Suncor Energy are among its largest holdings. The ETF is weighted by its proprietary stable yield score. The ETF is up 30% over the past 12 months with the dividend reinvested and has averaged a 16.7% return over the past five years. 2. Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend ETF The Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD 1.52%) is an attractive option right now for the same reason as its sister ETF, LVH...
Key Points Selling mission-critical products has positioned this business to withstand changing economic forces. 2025 was the 33rd straight year that this industry-leading company reported same-store sales growth. Shares have always been expensive, but the latest dip might present an opportunity for some investors that's too hard to pass up. 10 stocks we like better than O'Reilly Automotive › When...
Key Points Selling mission-critical products has positioned this business to withstand changing economic forces. 2025 was the 33rd straight year that this industry-leading company reported same-store sales growth. Shares have always been expensive, but the latest dip might present an opportunity for some investors that's too hard to pass up. 10 stocks we like better than O'Reilly Automotive › When share prices of great businesses are in decline, the sharpest investors are quick to analyze the situation. There might be a rare opportunity to buy stocks while they're on the dip. In the past five years, this industry-leading company's shares are up 174% (as of March 19). This is a market-crushing performance that easily outpaces the 82% total return of the S&P 500. However, the stock price has tanked 19% over the last seven months. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Are investors staring at a no-brainer buying opportunity right now? Economic winds are always changing, but this company isn't fazed Businesses that sell products or services that customers need in any economic environment are a special breed. This is the best way to describe O'Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ: ORLY). It operates 6,447 stores in the U.S. that sell aftermarket auto parts to DIY and professional customers, giving it a mission-critical position for people who always need functioning vehicles. O'Reilly is a steady performer. It reported a same-store-sales increase of 4.7% in 2025. This was the 33rd straight year that the business posted positive comparables. Growth is also an important part of the story. The company's revenue and net income have climbed at compound annual rates of 8.3% and 10.8%, respectively, between 2015 and 2025. O'Reilly's expansion stems from its ability to open new stores, with 207 locations added ...
Key Points All three of these ETFs are beating the market by a wide margin so far in 2026. They invest in stocks that perform well in market downturns. 10 stocks we like better than Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust - Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF › March has been volatile thus far, with S&P 500 down about 3% for the month as of March 18. It is the continuation of neg...
Key Points All three of these ETFs are beating the market by a wide margin so far in 2026. They invest in stocks that perform well in market downturns. 10 stocks we like better than Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust - Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF › March has been volatile thus far, with S&P 500 down about 3% for the month as of March 18. It is the continuation of negative market sentiment that began forming in late 2025. The March decline has been fueled by uncertainty around the war in Iran and rising oil prices. Also, still elevated inflation and a weak job market have contributed to investor jitters. Investors who want to balance out their portfolios and navigate choppy markets might want to consider an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is built to thrive in down markets. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Here are three ETFs built to handle volatile markets. 1. Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF The Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (NYSEMKT: LVHI) has outperformed the broader market by a wide margin this year. The ETF is up 8.3% year to date as of March 18, offsetting negative returns for the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500. Its outperformance in this market stems from its diversification away from large-cap U.S. equities. The ETF focuses on international stocks that have high dividends, low volatility, and sustainable earnings. It holds about 185 mostly large-cap and mid-cap international stocks from some 19 different developed nations. Stocks from Canada, Japan, and the U.K. have the most representation. Shell, Novartis, and Suncor Energy are among its largest holdings. The ETF is weighted by its proprietary stable yield score. The ETF is up 30% over the past 12 months with the dividend reinvested and ha...
Key Points Black Stone Minerals' SVP sold 30,276 common units for a transaction value of ~$462,000 on March 5, 2026. The transaction represented 100.00% of Putman's direct common unit holdings, reducing direct ownership to zero. 10 stocks we like better than Black Stone Minerals › Luke Stevens Putman, SVP, General Counsel, and Sec of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (NYSE:BSM), reported the sale of 30,2...
Key Points Black Stone Minerals' SVP sold 30,276 common units for a transaction value of ~$462,000 on March 5, 2026. The transaction represented 100.00% of Putman's direct common unit holdings, reducing direct ownership to zero. 10 stocks we like better than Black Stone Minerals › Luke Stevens Putman, SVP, General Counsel, and Sec of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (NYSE:BSM), reported the sale of 30,276 common units for a transaction value of approximately $462,000 on March 5, 2026, according to a SEC Form 4 filing. Transaction summary Metric Value Shares sold (direct) 30,276 Transaction value $461,585 Post-transaction shares (direct) 0 Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 reported price ($15.25). Key questions How were Putnam’s direct holdings affected by this sale? 100.00% of Putman's direct common unit holdings were sold in this transaction, reducing his direct position in the traded share class to zero as of March 5, 2026. 100.00% of Putman's direct common unit holdings were sold in this transaction, reducing his direct position in the traded share class to zero as of March 5, 2026. What was the market context at the time of sale? On March 5, 2026, Black Stone Minerals, L.P. units closed at $15.44 (market open: $15.19), with a one-year total return of 16.1% as of the transaction date, placing the sale in a period of positive price performance. Company overview Metric Value Market capitalization N/A Revenue (TTM) $400.98 million Net income (TTM) $270.47 million 1-year price change (as of 3/21/26) -0.39% Company snapshot Black Stone Minerals, L.P. is one of the largest owners and managers of oil and natural gas mineral interests in the United States, generating revenue primarily from royalty payments across approximately 16.8 million gross acres. It serves energy producers and exploration companies operating on its mineral acreage throughout 41 U.S. states. What this transaction means for investors Investors should be aware of the unique structure when investing in M...
An orthopedic surgeon explains the hand injury that has many MLB players on the bench Baseball hitters are on a quest for power. But that quest comes at a cost. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas DiLiberti about baseball players suffering hamate injuries. Sports An orthopedic surgeon explains the hand injury that has many MLB players on the bench An orthopedic surgeon expl...
An orthopedic surgeon explains the hand injury that has many MLB players on the bench Baseball hitters are on a quest for power. But that quest comes at a cost. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas DiLiberti about baseball players suffering hamate injuries. Sports An orthopedic surgeon explains the hand injury that has many MLB players on the bench An orthopedic surgeon explains the hand injury that has many MLB players on the bench Listen · 3:56 3:56 Baseball hitters are on a quest for power. But that quest comes at a cost. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas DiLiberti about baseball players suffering hamate injuries. Sponsor Message Sponsor Message
She cared for her mother for 14 years. She says she'd do it all over again Kathy Barnes-Lou cared for her mother for 14 years before her death. She learned that caregiving can bring life's purpose into focus, even as it grinds you down. Health She cared for her mother for 14 years. She says she'd do it all over again She cared for her mother for 14 years. She says she'd do it all over again Listen...
She cared for her mother for 14 years. She says she'd do it all over again Kathy Barnes-Lou cared for her mother for 14 years before her death. She learned that caregiving can bring life's purpose into focus, even as it grinds you down. Health She cared for her mother for 14 years. She says she'd do it all over again She cared for her mother for 14 years. She says she'd do it all over again Listen · 4:24 4:24 Kathy Barnes-Lou cared for her mother for 14 years before her death. She learned that caregiving can bring life's purpose into focus, even as it grinds you down. Sponsor Message Sponsor Message
Some cryptocurrencies experienced significant growth in recent years, and the Ripple token XRP (XRP 3.13%) has been a standout success. The crypto is up 320% over the past three years and has increased 177x over the past decade. But investors looking for big gains from XRP's future price may want to temper their expectations, given the current economic situation and the fact that some of the previ...
Some cryptocurrencies experienced significant growth in recent years, and the Ripple token XRP (XRP 3.13%) has been a standout success. The crypto is up 320% over the past three years and has increased 177x over the past decade. But investors looking for big gains from XRP's future price may want to temper their expectations, given the current economic situation and the fact that some of the previous reasons XRP gained momentum are already in the rearview mirror. Past XRP gains came from big news Cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been a significant boon to crypto values over the past few years, making it easier for investors to buy and sell digital tokens. Bitcoin ETFs paved the way a few years ago, and several financial institutions launched XRP ETFs starting last year. The anticipation of these ETFs helped push XRP's value higher, even before the ETFs launched, but now that the funds are here, some of the momentum around their approval has run its course. Institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies typically helps a coin's value increase as investors anticipate more people being able to easily buy and sell the crypto. But now that there are a handful of XRP ETFs available, they're no longer a catalyst for the crypto to move higher. It's also worth noting that XRP's value has seen a few boosts over the past couple of years, following Ripple Labs' settlement of a long-running lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and payment of a $50 million fine. The SEC softened its approach toward cryptocurrencies in general recently, setting up the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and ending some lawsuits with other cryptocurrency companies. This all contributed to XRP's rising price, but doesn't have much of an effect on its value now. Expand CRYPTO : XRP XRP Today's Change ( -3.13 %) $ -0.05 Current Price $ 1.40 Key Data Points Market Cap $86B Day's Range $ 1.39 - $ 1.45 52wk Range $ 1.14 - $ 3.65 Volume 1.7B Investors' risk appetite is waning Y...
Key Points The launch of XRP ETFs and positive crypto news have boosted XRP's value over the past few years. But investors are increasingly skeptical of risky bets. 10 stocks we like better than XRP › Some cryptocurrencies experienced significant growth in recent years, and the Ripple token XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) has been a standout success. The crypto is up 320% over the past three years and has incre...
Key Points The launch of XRP ETFs and positive crypto news have boosted XRP's value over the past few years. But investors are increasingly skeptical of risky bets. 10 stocks we like better than XRP › Some cryptocurrencies experienced significant growth in recent years, and the Ripple token XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) has been a standout success. The crypto is up 320% over the past three years and has increased 177x over the past decade. But investors looking for big gains from XRP's future price may want to temper their expectations, given the current economic situation and the fact that some of the previous reasons XRP gained momentum are already in the rearview mirror. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Past XRP gains came from big news Cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been a significant boon to crypto values over the past few years, making it easier for investors to buy and sell digital tokens. Bitcoin ETFs paved the way a few years ago, and several financial institutions launched XRP ETFs starting last year. The anticipation of these ETFs helped push XRP's value higher, even before the ETFs launched, but now that the funds are here, some of the momentum around their approval has run its course. Institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies typically helps a coin's value increase as investors anticipate more people being able to easily buy and sell the crypto. But now that there are a handful of XRP ETFs available, they're no longer a catalyst for the crypto to move higher. It's also worth noting that XRP's value has seen a few boosts over the past couple of years, following Ripple Labs' settlement of a long-running lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and payment of a $50 million fine. The SEC softened its approach toward cryptocurrencies in general r...
The local rights organisation, which has documented atrocities by both the army and the RSF throughout the war, said the hospital in el-Daein was a vital health facility relied upon by thousands of civilians in the city and surrounding villages.
The local rights organisation, which has documented atrocities by both the army and the RSF throughout the war, said the hospital in el-Daein was a vital health facility relied upon by thousands of civilians in the city and surrounding villages.
Khanchit Khirisutchalual/iStock via Getty Images Introduction: Closed-end funds offer an attractive investment class that covers various asset classes and promises high distributions to income investors. They can also offer reasonable total returns if the distributions are reinvested, but generally lag the performance of the S&P 500. They are not for everyone but are particularly appealing to reti...
Khanchit Khirisutchalual/iStock via Getty Images Introduction: Closed-end funds offer an attractive investment class that covers various asset classes and promises high distributions to income investors. They can also offer reasonable total returns if the distributions are reinvested, but generally lag the performance of the S&P 500. They are not for everyone but are particularly appealing to retirees and income investors. However, it will be best to diversify into 7 to 10 CEFs covering many different asset classes and market segments. Today's fund, Abrdn World Healthcare Fund ( THW ), is a healthcare sector-specific global hybrid fund, with investments both in equity and debt securities. The fund is invested in all segments of the healthcare industry. The fund is invested nearly 50:50 in U.S. and European companies. The fund offers no discount but an attractive distribution paid on a monthly basis. The healthcare sector had a challenging environment from 2022 to 2024; however, the sector has recovered a lot in 2025. So, is it the right time to invest in this fund? We will try to answer this question and will also compare this fund with similar funds. Fund's Background Abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) is a closed-end fund with over 10 years of history. The fund was launched in June 2015. The fund's investment objective is to provide high current income as well as capital appreciation. The fund primarily invests in a diversified pool of stocks and debt of healthcare companies. The fund is a global fund with nearly 55% of its assets invested outside the U.S. The fund relies on the growth of the equity portion of its investments to cover any shortfall in the income. The fund was originally launched as a Tekla Group fund and subsequently became part of the Aberdeen Group. The fund also uses a moderate level of leverage, currently at 19%. As per the fund's literature, its investment policies include, Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest at least 80...
Key Points Equinor, PBF Energy, and Chevron offer different ways to benefit from high energy prices. Balancing refiners and producers can help manage portfolio risk. 10 stocks we like better than Chevron › With the price of oil approaching $100 per barrel and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf under attack from all sides, it's a good idea to buy a little protection for your portfolio from t...
Key Points Equinor, PBF Energy, and Chevron offer different ways to benefit from high energy prices. Balancing refiners and producers can help manage portfolio risk. 10 stocks we like better than Chevron › With the price of oil approaching $100 per barrel and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf under attack from all sides, it's a good idea to buy a little protection for your portfolio from the risk of an extended period of relatively high energy prices. The risk isn't just a spike in oil prices; there's also a risk that infrastructure damage will be lasting, and that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could be closed for an extended period. In this context, buying into energy companies Equinor ASA (NYSE: EQNR), PBF Energy (NYSE: PBF), and Chevron (NYSE: CVX) provides investors with a nice mix of investment themes to benefit from in the current environment. Equinor: A stock ideally placed to serve Europe's energy needs About 20% of the world's energy passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and its closure has severe consequences for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, and petrochemicals such as urea and fertilizer. The immediate impact will be felt in Asia. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that 80% of oil passing through the Strait is destined for Asia, and 90% of LNG, too. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » However, if there's a shortage of crude and LNG from the region, Asian countries will compete for energy supplies to Europe, pushing up energy prices for Europeans. The answer to your next question is... Norway. The next answer is Norwegian energy giant Equinor, which is the largest supplier of natural gas from the Norwegian continental shelf to Europe. As you can see in the following chart, Norwegian energy exports to the European Union receiv...
Wall Street is a fickle place, with emotions often driven by news flow. In late February 2026, news that Anthropic's artificial intelligence tools could tackle COBOL coding tasks sent International Business Machines' (IBM 3.44%) stock crashing. IBM is still 20% below its 52-week high as of this writing. With the technology giant in its own personal bear market, long-term investors might find it an...
Wall Street is a fickle place, with emotions often driven by news flow. In late February 2026, news that Anthropic's artificial intelligence tools could tackle COBOL coding tasks sent International Business Machines' (IBM 3.44%) stock crashing. IBM is still 20% below its 52-week high as of this writing. With the technology giant in its own personal bear market, long-term investors might find it an attractive way to play the AI space. Here's why. IBM is helping to build the AI infrastructure Putting COBOL aside for the moment, one of IBM's key business focuses has been to help companies build hybrid cloud systems. Essentially, that means that a company has data stored on both an external cloud system and an internal one. Companies do this to protect vital information they may have. IBM's services and technology enable smooth processes across what amounts to a very complex computer setup. Artificial intelligence is a big and increasingly important piece of the puzzle. Thus, IBM is directly benefiting from AI and should remain a key player in the space for the foreseeable future. It just isn't a headline act, because it is a business-to-business company that works in the background. COBOL won't take down IBM However, IBM made headlines regarding AI in late February when Anthropic announced its COBOL programming advances. COBOL is a very old computer language that is still widely used today. IBM helps support companies that are using COBOL, so AI could be a threat to this part of the technology giant's business. However, investors have likely reacted too quickly and too negatively. It is highly unlikely that AI alone can replace the services IBM provides, which include ensuring that a business customer's logic and workflow needs are met. It is highly likely that IBM's services will still be needed. In fact, AI tools are more likely to help IBM better serve its customers. So this negative might actually be a long-term positive if it enhances IBM's capabilities. Expand NY...
Source: Newsfilter 1D 5D 1M 3M 6M YTD 1Y 5Y Custom 1D Time Range Selector Custom Line Candle Analyst Views on ORCL Wall Street analysts forecast ORCL stock price to rise 34 Analyst Rating Wall Street analysts forecast ORCL stock price to rise 25 Buy 9 Hold 0 Sell Moderate Buy Current : 155.520 Low 180.00 Averages 309.59 High 400.00 Current : 155.520 Low 180.00 Averages 309.59 High 400.00 Mizuho Ou...
Source: Newsfilter 1D 5D 1M 3M 6M YTD 1Y 5Y Custom 1D Time Range Selector Custom Line Candle Analyst Views on ORCL Wall Street analysts forecast ORCL stock price to rise 34 Analyst Rating Wall Street analysts forecast ORCL stock price to rise 25 Buy 9 Hold 0 Sell Moderate Buy Current : 155.520 Low 180.00 Averages 309.59 High 400.00 Current : 155.520 Low 180.00 Averages 309.59 High 400.00 Mizuho Outperform -> NULL downgrade $400 -> $320 2026-03-16 Reason Mizuho Price Target $400 -> $320 AI Analysis 2026-03-16 downgrade Outperform -> NULL Reason Mizuho lowered the firm's price target on Oracle to $320 from $400 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm says the bear concerns are easing post the fiscal Q3 report. Oracle reported a "clean" Q3, exceeding expectations across the board and raising its fiscal 2027 revenue target to $90B, above consensus, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Mizuho cites peer multiple contraction for the target cut. Citi NULL -> Buy maintain $310 -> $320 2026-03-12 Reason Citi Price Target $310 -> $320 2026-03-12 maintain NULL -> Buy Reason Citi raised the firm's price target on Oracle to $320 from $310 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The company reported "reassuring" fiscal Q3 results that helped refute the ongoing investor concerns around data center delays, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Citi upped estimates post the earnings print. Unlock Full Analyst Thesis， Get the complete breakdown of rating reason for ORCL Unlock Now See All Ratings About ORCL Oracle Corporation offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. The Company operates through three businesses: cloud and license, hardware and service. Its cloud and license business is engaged in the sale, marketing and delivery of its enterprise applications and infrastructure technologies through cloud and on-premise deployment models including its cloud services and license support offeri...
This week was a rollercoaster ride in the tech world, with major companies making headlines for a variety of reasons. From Palantir Technologies scoring a significant win with the Pentagon to NVIDIA eyeing a trillion-dollar opportunity, the tech sector was highly active. Meanwhile, Super Micro Computer faced a setback due to DOJ charges, Micron Technology surpassed Q2 estimates, and Tesla’s Elon M...
This week was a rollercoaster ride in the tech world, with major companies making headlines for a variety of reasons. From Palantir Technologies scoring a significant win with the Pentagon to NVIDIA eyeing a trillion-dollar opportunity, the tech sector was highly active. Meanwhile, Super Micro Computer faced a setback due to DOJ charges, Micron Technology surpassed Q2 estimates, and Tesla’s Elon Musk found himself on the wrong side of a jury verdict. Palantir’s Pentagon Triumph Palantir Technologies has reportedly scored a significant victory as the Pentagon is said to have adopted the Maven AI across all military branches. Maven, a command-and-control platform, uses AI to analyze data from various sources and flag potential threats. This move is expected to provide stable, long-term funding for Palantir, which had previously secured a U.S. Army contract worth up to $10 billion. Read the full article here. Nvidia’s Trillion-Dollar Vision NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has projected a $1 trillion revenue opportunity for the company through 2027. This ambitious vision comes on the back of bullish comments on data centers and AI chips, with the company previously guiding for visibility of $500 billion for its AI chips. Read the full article here. Super Micro’s DOJ Charges Super Micro Computer’s stock took a hit following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice. Three individuals, including the company’s co-founder, were charged in an alleged scheme to unlawfully export artificial intelligence technology to China, leading to an 11.85% after-hours plunge in the company’s stock. Read the full article here. Micron’s Q2 Success Micron Technology posted impressive second-quarter results, with revenue of $23.86 billion, significantly above analyst estimates. The semiconductor company also reported adjusted earnings of $12.20 per share for the quarter, far exceeding analyst estimates. Read the full article here. Musk’s Legal Trouble Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, was found l...
EU Considers Electricity Tax Cuts, Subsidies Amid Iran War Surge In Energy Costs Authored by Evgenia Filimianova via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), The European Union is weighing electricity tax cuts and targeted subsidies to shield consumers and industry from surging energy costs amid the ongoing Iran war , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on March 19. European Commission...
EU Considers Electricity Tax Cuts, Subsidies Amid Iran War Surge In Energy Costs Authored by Evgenia Filimianova via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), The European Union is weighing electricity tax cuts and targeted subsidies to shield consumers and industry from surging energy costs amid the ongoing Iran war , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on March 19. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech during the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, on Feb. 11, 2026. Nicolas Tucat/Getty Images Speaking after a European Council meeting in Brussels, von der Leyen said electricity prices are driven by energy costs, grid charges, carbon pricing, and taxes. Electricity taxes and levies in the European Union are on average about 15 percent, she said, adding that the bloc will “propose to mandate lower tax rates on electricity” and ensure that “electricity is taxed less than fossil fuels.” “ In some cases, electricity is taxed much more than gas—partially up to 15 times more. This cannot be ,” said von der Leyen, according to a statement. In the European Union, electricity is primarily taxed through the value-added tax and energy taxation under the Energy Taxation Directive, with additional national levies applied by individual member states. In the first half of 2025, EU household electricity prices averaged 28.72 euros ($33.20) per 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh), roughly unchanged from the second half of 2024, according to Oct. 29, 2025, Eurostat figures. Although pre-tax prices declined slightly, the share of taxes and levies rose from 24.7 percent in the second half of 2024 to 27.6 percent in the first months of 2025. Prices varied widely across the bloc. Germany recorded the highest household rates at 38.35 euros ($44.30) per 100 kWh, followed by Belgium and Denmark, while Hungary, Malta, and Bulgaria had the lowest prices. Compared to a year earlier, electricity costs surged in Luxembourg, Ireland, and Poland but fell in...
Tesla Inc. is reportedly in discussions with several Chinese companies to acquire solar manufacturing equipment worth $2.9 billion. Suzhou Maxwell Technologies, a leading maker of screen-printing equipment for solar cell manufacturing, is among the top contenders to supply machinery for the project and is currently seeking export approval from China's commerce ministry, reported Reuters on Friday....
Tesla Inc. is reportedly in discussions with several Chinese companies to acquire solar manufacturing equipment worth $2.9 billion. Suzhou Maxwell Technologies, a leading maker of screen-printing equipment for solar cell manufacturing, is among the top contenders to supply machinery for the project and is currently seeking export approval from China's commerce ministry, reported Reuters on Friday. Other potential suppliers include Shenzhen S.C New Energy Technology and Laplace Renewable Energy Technology. The $2.9 billion worth of equipment, including screen-printing production lines, will require export approval from Chinese regulators. However, the specifics of the equipment requiring approval and the duration of the approval process remain uncertain. Don't Miss: Chinese suppliers have been asked to deliver equipment by autumn, some to Texas, for Elon Musk's planned solar capacity, which will mainly support Tesla, with a portion powering SpaceX satellites, as per the publication. Tesla did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment. Tesla Targets 100GW US Solar Push This move is a part of Musk’s 100-gigawatt solar goal, which includes an active U.S. manufacturing push by exploring multiple sites to manufacture solar cells. The company had also considered expanding its Buffalo, New York, factory to increase capacity to about 10 gigawatts and discussed the possibility of constructing a second facility in New York in the long term. Tesla’s job listings also hint at the company’s objective to deploy 100 GW of “solar manufacturing from raw materials on American soil before the end of 2028”. See Also: What If Tires Didn't Need Air — Or Replacing? This Startup Says It's Possible Musk-Trump Policy Clash On Solar Elon Musk has called solar the "biggest source of power" as the AI industry searches for scalable energy solutions. He criticized U.S. tariffs for making solar deployment "artificially expensive," even as demand surges from AI data centers and manuf...
Tesla Inc. is reportedly in discussions with several Chinese companies to acquire solar manufacturing equipment worth $2.9 billion. Suzhou Maxwell Technologies, a leading maker of screen-printing equipment for solar cell manufacturing, is among the top contenders to supply machinery for the project and is currently seeking export approval from China's commerce ministry, reported Reuters on Friday....
Tesla Inc. is reportedly in discussions with several Chinese companies to acquire solar manufacturing equipment worth $2.9 billion. Suzhou Maxwell Technologies, a leading maker of screen-printing equipment for solar cell manufacturing, is among the top contenders to supply machinery for the project and is currently seeking export approval from China's commerce ministry, reported Reuters on Friday. Other potential suppliers include Shenzhen S.C New Energy Technology and Laplace Renewable Energy Technology. The $2.9 billion worth of equipment, including screen-printing production lines, will require export approval from Chinese regulators. However, the specifics of the equipment requiring approval and the duration of the approval process remain uncertain. Don't Miss: Chinese suppliers have been asked to deliver equipment by autumn, some to Texas, for Elon Musk's planned solar capacity, which will mainly support Tesla, with a portion powering SpaceX satellites, as per the publication. Tesla did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment. Tesla Targets 100GW US Solar Push This move is a part of Musk’s 100-gigawatt solar goal, which includes an active U.S. manufacturing push by exploring multiple sites to manufacture solar cells. The company had also considered expanding its Buffalo, New York, factory to increase capacity to about 10 gigawatts and discussed the possibility of constructing a second facility in New York in the long term. Tesla’s job listings also hint at the company’s objective to deploy 100 GW of “solar manufacturing from raw materials on American soil before the end of 2028”. See Also: What If Tires Didn't Need Air — Or Replacing? This Startup Says It's Possible Musk-Trump Policy Clash On Solar Elon Musk has called solar the "biggest source of power" as the AI industry searches for scalable energy solutions. He criticized U.S. tariffs for making solar deployment "artificially expensive," even as demand surges from AI data centers and manuf...
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, with only a handful of Iran-linked vessels transiting the chokepoint as it enters a fourth week of effective closure . A very large liquefied petroleum gas carrier linked to Iran set sail for China on Saturday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The departure is part of a broader cluster of Iran-affiliated vessels exi...
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, with only a handful of Iran-linked vessels transiting the chokepoint as it enters a fourth week of effective closure . A very large liquefied petroleum gas carrier linked to Iran set sail for China on Saturday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The departure is part of a broader cluster of Iran-affiliated vessels exiting the Persian Gulf in the past 24 hours. Nearly all transits observed in recent days have been restricted to a narrow passage close to Iran’s coast running between the Larak and Hormuz islands, signaling deliberate efforts by Tehran to monitor and direct the flow of global energy supplies through the strait. The US said Saturday that it has “degraded” Iran’s ability to threaten marine traffic, yet President Donald Trump threatened shortly thereafter to bomb the nation’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed beyond a two-day deadline. Iran’s military warned that any such aggression would trigger strikes on American and Israeli assets, including energy infrastructure, in the region. Electronic interference continues to disrupt vessel-tracking systems in the region. In addition, ships disabling AIS transponders in high-risk waters is further reducing the timeliness and reliability of tracking data. A cluster of four Iran-affiliated vessels, including the China-bound LPG tanker, a pair of bulk carriers and a small fuel tanker transited out of the Persian Gulf on Saturday. They were followed Sunday morning by two additional bulk carriers. With vessels going dark in high-risk waters, transit counts may initially appear lower and be revised upward as delayed data becomes available. No confirmed inbound transits have been observed since Friday. NOTE: Because vessels can move without transmitting their location until they’re well away from Hormuz, automated positioning signals were compiled over a large area covering the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea...
Democrats who won big in last November’s general election are grappling with reality Some Democrats who were swept into office last November are grappling with the reality of governing. The new leader of Pennsylvania's Lehigh County says urgency is needed. Politics Democrats who won big in last November's general election are grappling with reality Democrats who won big in last November’s general ...
Democrats who won big in last November’s general election are grappling with reality Some Democrats who were swept into office last November are grappling with the reality of governing. The new leader of Pennsylvania's Lehigh County says urgency is needed. Politics Democrats who won big in last November's general election are grappling with reality Democrats who won big in last November’s general election are grappling with reality Listen · 4:20 4:20 Some Democrats who were swept into office last November are grappling with the reality of governing. The new leader of Pennsylvania's Lehigh County says urgency is needed. Sponsor Message Sponsor Message
Bloomberg News' Ethan Bronner and Skylar Woodhouse discuss conflicting messages regarding the timeline of the ongoing war after President Trump issued a strong ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Watch the full conversation on "Bloomberg This Weekend" with hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini. (Source: Bloomberg)
Bloomberg News' Ethan Bronner and Skylar Woodhouse discuss conflicting messages regarding the timeline of the ongoing war after President Trump issued a strong ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Watch the full conversation on "Bloomberg This Weekend" with hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini. (Source: Bloomberg)