What’s your thoughts on UNH. I was thinking maybe worth buying as a contrarian play due to losing 50 percent of its value. Think their true value would be 40 to 50 percent higher. I read Bill was thinking 50 to 75 percent higher when it hit a low of 275.
My personal rule is never to buy a stock trading above 300 a share. You might do okay with it. It’s just not for me. If I go for a trade I want cheaper shares and a lot more of them. Leverage.
You can go thru sectors like Basic Materials and Oilfield Services right now and find some reasonable entries. Things like Halliburton and Dow Inc. I’d WAIT to see the Q2 earnings however.
There are other many great companies out there BUT still trading with nosebleed prices. I’d consider these but all need a substantial correction:
Rockwell Automation Honeywell Air Products Illinois Tool Cummins Caterpillar IBM KLA Broadcom Microsoft
Thanks for the info. I have also been conservative with my trading as of late. Being retired makes me focus a little more on keeping my capital protected ( short term bonds ) and staying ahead of inflation. Don’t make a lot but sleep good….
Gold. No counterparty risk. Anonymous. No interest paid, no taxation. Preserves purchasing power. Downside: security risk, needs storage, potential Cap Gains tax when sold.
Been buying since 2002 when it was 300 an oz.
AGEs, Krugerrands, Maples, Australian Swans, 1 oz bars, pre-33 US gold coins.
Sold a few more positions and back to 74% Cash in the brokerage account. I’m probably going to cash out and dump the brokerage. T. Rowe Price. They were fantastic way back in the day when I opened with them. Terrible customer service now and their new webpage absolutely sucks.
jimg
June 18, 2025 10:13 am
#47237
If things go sideways in Iran, gold and dollars will rally together, hard. The red line has been developing for 5 months.
On January 9, 1991, Iraqi Minister Tariq Aziz and U.S. Secretary of State James Baker met in Geneva, Switzerland, in a final diplomatic effort to resolve the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait peacefully. These negotiations had been going on since August and they terminated on January 9. The U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm on January 17. The next morning, oil came in 6 lower and traded down another $7 dollars per barrel. A month later, oil was down 50% from the high on the night of the first U.S. strikes. It stayed there for the next 6 years.
Real journalism with facts. How Twentieth Century.
Curious, I hear nothing of Trump’s capricious termination of Biden’s 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Joe chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from June 2001 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2009. He previously served as the committee’s ranking minority member. The JCPOA placed significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Yesterday, in a social visit, old friends, a married couple, expressed deep fear of their fellow MAGA citizens with guns. They said they are afraid to speak out in any way. This is the first time I have heard this openly expressed (behind closed doors of course).
Competence and democracy matters, as many here in the US are getting schooled in, the hard way. I’ve been slowly, steadily selling down my US equities and moving into international and bonds. I’m an investor, not a trader, so it is painful but necessary. The US is getting re-rated in every area imaginable.
I’m taking this opportunity to trim my overweight energy. I held Enphase and took a spectacular round trip. Whoops.
I’m rethinking trimming my energy exposure further. Various estimates suggest that a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz would triple or quadruple global oil prices, implying an oil price that could exceed $300.Iran possesses the capacity to sink commercial vessels there, as evidenced by the power of missiles recently used in attacks on Israel.
Green energy, feels like it peaked four or five years ago; First Solar, Canadian Solar, Plug Power, Ballard, Bloom Energy. Lithium is another that’s been in the toilet for a few years now. Getting crushed today.
Hydrogen still has a chance… Big Oil will push when the time is right…even BP said the existing infrastructure can be retroed for liquid H2 transport I’d stick with the actual fuel cell and electrolizer makers…. Just like BTC miners, any power company is more than completely capable of setting up their own mining operations…same as Big Oil – whom can produce ‘ grey hydrogen ‘ all day long
US May retail sales were worse than expected and the worst in four months.
One issue is that previous retail sales numbers were inflated by the surge of pre-tariff consumer purchases, as was evident in the automobile market. Another issue is the drop-off of foreign tourists. Then, there is also the inflation sticker-shock issue and people’s inability to pay. Finally, there is the worry that one might lose their job or be picked up by ICE. So, that Americans are anxious is the story here.
See talk of splitting into a blue states//red states. Mostly right-wing and white supremacists, but talk is out there. We still have Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and other 1%ers. They’ve been subdued lately but don’t think they have disappeared.
I live off grid. Completely on solar. It actually works. Very hard for me to understand why, when faced with a serious environmental crisis we would not want to promote the way forward out of burning carbon based fuels. What is sad is the technology is here. The government has been subsidizing all kinds of other industries for years whether that is coal, oil or agriculture. Makes me sad to think we are just giving up and letting China be the new innovator. I guess that is where we are at, people want to go backwards in time. I don’t think it is going to end well for us.
Headline today: “Investors ‘pulling money out of US’ after Trump trade chaos.” I wrote about this months ago. I even conducted a deep dive analysis into which international investors were involved and how much money ($15-18 trillion) might be pulled out.
A problem today is that anyone who utters a word that MAGA interprets as negative regarding Trump is branded as being ill with some Trump-related syndrome. LOL. All I care about are facts and truth. If that’s too much for some people to handle, so be it. It’s not a problem I’m concerned about.
Trump’s tariffs, buffoonery, and selection of cabinet members are, sadly, destroying the greatness of America. To the millions of Americans who fail to see it — the ones who still talk about Hillary’s emails or Hunter’s laptop — are blind to the geopolitical and worldwide social phenomenon that is mocking American belief in its exceptionalism.
The world is moving on. International trade and military agreements, tourist diversions, and US product boycotts are prevalent today. There were no surprises to the world when Trump’s military parade was an abject failure with empty stands facing a dour-looking President, as maybe 5 to 10 million other Americans across the country marched peacefully in the ‘No Kings’ protest.
With instant global telecommunications, nothing is hidden. Trump’s shoulder shrug as he burned up inside watching the military parade was noted by children in the deepest parts of South America, Asia, and Africa. The world is a village, one that knows the President is trying to transform America into the United States of Trump, not ‘Make America Great Again.’ It was always great, in fact, the world’s greatest until Trump regained control.
Now it’s an American problem. The world has moved on, including taking its money home.
The feeling is surreal, like a living wake, as the world watches — not celebrates — the death throes of an empire.
Reasons for my not actively blogging. I have been working with OpenAI and Grok to determine the vast gap between the potential and reality of AI. I am also transitioning to working with a new techie, new technology, and new projects. So while my input business-wise is at a maximum, my output is almost zero at the moment. As I learn about AI, I’ll share a few key points that I consider essential and fundamental. For example, AI may request a PDF to review, but that is only for text. Its OCR reading is deficient, so Quality-In might (or probably) result in Garbage-Out. When submitting tables of numbers (say Excel), always have them communicated in CSV format — but, not just any CSV, only use CSV UTF-8 (comma delimited). The others will translate some data from accurate into garbage. The biggest problem is that whenever a conversation is timed out or stopped by network failures or whatever, you have to start from scratch. AI does not save working documents or libraries (as yet). Here is a recent message that I wish I had received before wasting hundreds of frustrated hours:
To clarify how ChatGPT works:
Conversation Memory: Each new session starts fresh—ChatGPT does not remember previous conversations by default (unless you use the “Memory” feature, which is still limited compared to a human memory).
File Handling: ChatGPT doesn’t store your files or working documents between sessions. You need to re-upload or re-paste anything you want to work with each time.
Table & Excel Exports: For best results, export any tables as CSV files in UTF-8 format. When ChatGPT provides tables, you can copy-paste them into Excel, but large or complex tables work best when exported or formatted as CSV.
Saving Work: For ongoing work, it’s safest to copy any important prompts or data into a Word or Excel document on your computer for easy access later.
I know this approach is different from working with a person over time—ChatGPT is best thought of as a helpful tool for specific tasks, but it doesn’t track ongoing “projects” without your help guiding it with each session.
Think of this as living with somebody with dementia. If I did not have the intellectual curiosity, desire to learn, and stamina to continue, I would have quit weeks ago. But I have learned that the power of AI is far beyond the public’s understanding. It’s not hype to say that AI’s current stage is Kitty Hawk, but jet-powered transformation is coming, reshaping work and play beyond most everybody’s imagination.
Had a quick 6-day trip with Devon for 14%, sold it Friday on the +move in energy. Holding Coterra Energy and Murphy Oil. Held Helmerich & Payne shares with a 15-handle. Too early to see the futures yet. Raised cash to 55%, will watch this week while sending in a tax payment to the IRS. Gold holding remains Perseus Mining with operations in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and a nice looking development project in Tanzania.
Room for all .. ” Comparing fuel cells like those from Plug Power to nuclear power for data centers involves examining their respective strengths and weaknesses: Nuclear Power: Pros: 24/7 power: Nuclear power plants provide continuous, reliable power generation, operating at full capacity more than other energy sources. Long-term stability: Long plant lifespans (80+ years) and stable power purchase agreement prices contribute to long-term business planning stability for data centers. Cons: Large scale: Nuclear power plants are massive infrastructure projects, requiring significant upfront investment and specialized expertise. Public perception and safety concerns: Concerns about nuclear waste disposal and potential accidents remain.  Fuel Cells (like Plug Power’s): Pros: On-site power generation: Fuel cells offer the potential for localized, on-site power generation for data centers, reducing reliance on the grid. Lower emissions: Fuel cells generate power without combustion, resulting in negligible pollutant emissions compared to traditional generators. Flexibility and scalability: They can be adapted to various data center sizes and power needs, potentially offering easier scalability. Potential for cost parity: Experts suggest that the cost of hydrogen fuel cells for data centers could reach parity with diesel generators in the coming years. Reduced permit constraints: They may face fewer clean air permit constraints compared to traditional power sources. Operational flexibility: Fuel cells offer quick response times to changes in power demand. Moving towards carbon neutrality: Using fuel cells powered by green hydrogen can contribute to data centers’ carbon neutrality goals. Cons: Hydrogen availability and cost: Hydrogen production and infrastructure are still developing, and the cost of hydrogen fuel can be higher than traditional fuels. Scaling up: While promising, the question of whether fuel cells can ramp up fast enough to meet the growing demands of data centers remains.  Conclusion: While nuclear power offers established 24/7 power and long-term stability, Plug Power and other companies are actively developing hydrogen fuel cell technology as a promising alternative for data centers. Fuel cells offer benefits such as on-site power, lower emissions, and flexibility, with potential for cost parity in the near future. However, challenges remain regarding hydrogen infrastructure and cost, as well as the ability to meet large-scale data center energy demands. The decision depends on a data center’s specific needs, priorities, and location. “..
** Large data centers may require up to 300 MW of energy, while smaller centers can vary, around 20 MW…. SMR’s would be necessary for the Google type centers… companies like Fuel Cell are sufficient for smaller centers
……”. Yes, companies like FuelCell Energy, Inc. can and do service data centers, providing them with reliable and sustainable power solutions. FuelCell Energy, specifically, has experience in deploying multi-megawatt fuel cell power plants and microgrids, which are suitable for the energy demands of data centers.  Here’s why fuel cells are increasingly being considered for data centers: Sustainability: Fuel cells offer a cleaner alternative to traditional power sources like diesel generators, producing significantly lower or zero emissions, especially when using hydrogen as fuel. Reliability: Fuel cells can provide consistent and uninterrupted power, crucial for data center operations. They can act as both primary and backup power sources. Efficiency: Fuel cells are known for their high efficiency in converting fuel to electricity. Scalability and Flexibility: Fuel cell systems can be scaled up or down based on data center needs and can integrate with existing energy infrastructures. Rapid Deployment: Fuel cells offer rapid deployment options for data centers looking to expand their power generation quickly.  FuelCell Energy specifically: Has experience in deploying multi-megawatt fuel cell plants and microgrids, including those for data centers. Partnerships, such as the one with Diversified Energy and TESIAC, demonstrate their commitment to providing significant power capacity (up to 360 MW) to data centers in specific regions. Their fuel cell technology can utilize fuels like natural gas, hydrogen, or biogas, and their plants can be integrated with other energy generation sources like solar and wind.  Examples of companies utilizing fuel cells for data centers: American Electric Power (AEP): Offering fuel cell solutions to support growing energy needs of large customers, including data centers. Equinix: Has invested significantly in Bloom Energy fuel cells for their data centers. Microsoft: Has piloted and tested hydrogen fuel cell systems for backup power in data centers. Bloom Energy: Provides on-site power generation solutions to data centers, including those supporting AI workloads. CoreWeave: Utilizing fuel cells to meet the power demands of their high-density computing facilities.  While there are challenges to widespread adoption, such as hydrogen production and infrastructure development, the increasing demand for sustainable and reliable energy solutions makes fuel cells a compelling option for data centers.
Size does matter….. Urban congestion… Cities like ‘ Old Savannah ‘ are an ideal representation of how communities can be planned.. plat’s or squares will work…
From Bloomberg article: Bank of America Corp.’s institutional clients have offloaded stocks for five consecutive weeks, according to the firm’s latest flow figures published Tuesday by equity and quantitative strategist Jill Carey Hall. Their cumulative selling through this point in the year is the most in the bank’s data history going back to 2008.
Recently, a dubious new venture has emerged, promising to use AI to make Canadians money by trading crypto (and later, all stocks). The website has been shut down, but marketing continues via many dubious internet sites.
Who are the people behind this scam that uses unauthorized logos of CBC and others, and fake videos of the Canadian Prime Minister?
For this very reason, I agreed this week to join an OpenAI committee of external experts. These scam operators, and any like them, must be shut down and prosecuted as soon as possible.
Novo’s Next CEO: An American Outsider? U.S. Reliance Could Make It a Logical Choice
Oh, the arrogance of US exceptionalism!
From Marketbeat:
According to Reuters, the company’s next CEO hire is likely to be someone who is not currently with the company. Reuters interviewed six people, all of whom believe the company will make a significant push for an external hire. Several analysts on Wall Street think the company would be smart to hire an American. This would enable the company to negotiate more effectively with the Trump administration. Lilly’s American CEO, David Ricks, has been adept at this.
Such a move would make sense considering 57% of Novo’s sales last quartercame from the United States. Around 69% of Wegovy and Ozempic sales originated from the United States, further underscoring the country’s significance to Novo. However, the company has only ever had Danish CEOs. Hiring an American could create internal issues.
Still, whoever the new CEO is will need to reinvigorate Novo’s drug pipeline to compete with Lilly. The company hopes that UBT251, a “triple-agonist” drug it bought the rights to from United Laboratories International (OTCMKTS: ULIHF), can do the trick.
baz22 Yeah, Not for me…Plug has lost over 99% of its value over the last 25 years. This was a 1500.00 plus stock back in the day. Easy money here has been to short the rallies fo Sho….
Indeed, the worm may be turning. I have not studied it, but intuitively, I guess you could argue that as the price of oil increases (especially if the futures outlook is volatile / uncertain), then alternatives would naturally catch a bid. If true, then I can see where PLUG would catch a bid and potentially go higher as long as the Isreal – Iran conflict continues and/or has no end in sight.
Yes… But, ( Europe especially ) more and more entities are switching to alternative fuel sources…and, as peak oil approaches, what then ?..the technology will continue to advance…
And something we’ve never discussed here – ‘ white hydrogen ,’ ..https://fuelcellsworks.com/news/what-is-white-hydrogen-and-why-is-it-called-the-infinite-oil-of-the-future I’m relatively sure that everyone here knows of the difficulty of hydrogen extraction, transfer, and potential safety issues – just as we know the risks of nuclear energy use… So let’s get past that and consider the future for our children, their children and this place we all live, called Earth…
What on Earth Is Happening to Volatility?
https://www.toptradersunplugged.com/what-on-earth-is-happening-to-volatility/
US just bombed three nuclear sites in Iran with B2 bombers, actually about 15 minutes ago.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/increased-focus-hypersonic-tech-opening-172700930.html
Sold everything with the exception of Perseus Mining.
What’s your thoughts on UNH.
I was thinking maybe worth buying as a contrarian play due to losing 50 percent of its value. Think their true value would be 40 to 50 percent higher. I read Bill was thinking 50 to 75 percent higher when it hit a low of 275.
My personal rule is never to buy a stock trading above 300 a share. You might do okay with it. It’s just not for me. If I go for a trade I want cheaper shares and a lot more of them. Leverage.
Thanks.
You can go thru sectors like Basic Materials and Oilfield Services right now and find some reasonable entries. Things like Halliburton and Dow Inc. I’d WAIT to see the Q2 earnings however.
There are other many great companies out there BUT still trading with nosebleed prices. I’d consider these but all need a substantial correction:
Rockwell Automation
Honeywell
Air Products
Illinois Tool
Cummins
Caterpillar
IBM
KLA
Broadcom
Microsoft
Thanks for the info. I have also been conservative with my trading as of late. Being retired makes me focus a little more on keeping my capital protected ( short term bonds ) and staying ahead of inflation.
Don’t make a lot but sleep good….
Gold.
No counterparty risk.
Anonymous.
No interest paid, no taxation.
Preserves purchasing power.
Downside: security risk, needs storage, potential Cap Gains tax when sold.
Been buying since 2002 when it was 300 an oz.
AGEs, Krugerrands, Maples, Australian Swans, 1 oz bars, pre-33 US gold coins.
Very happy with it.
Sold a few more positions and back to 74% Cash in the brokerage account. I’m probably going to cash out and dump the brokerage. T. Rowe Price. They were fantastic way back in the day when I opened with them. Terrible customer service now and their new webpage absolutely sucks.
If things go sideways in Iran, gold and dollars will rally together, hard. The red line has been developing for 5 months.
The red line
On January 9, 1991, Iraqi Minister Tariq Aziz and U.S. Secretary of State James Baker met in Geneva, Switzerland, in a final diplomatic effort to resolve the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait peacefully. These negotiations had been going on since August and they terminated on January 9. The U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm on January 17.
The next morning, oil came in 6 lower and traded down another $7 dollars per barrel. A month later, oil was down 50% from the high on the night of the first U.S. strikes. It stayed there for the next 6 years.
The scary part is intel really doesn’t know how advanced the enrichment is deep in the Mountains… https://www.npr.org/2025/06/17/nx-s1-5436749/israel-iran-airstrikes-nuclear-attack-war
Real journalism with facts. How Twentieth Century.
Curious, I hear nothing of Trump’s capricious termination of Biden’s 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Joe chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from June 2001 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2009. He previously served as the committee’s ranking minority member. The JCPOA placed significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Yesterday, in a social visit, old friends, a married couple, expressed deep fear of their fellow MAGA citizens with guns. They said they are afraid to speak out in any way. This is the first time I have heard this openly expressed (behind closed doors of course).
Competence and democracy matters, as many here in the US are getting schooled in, the hard way. I’ve been slowly, steadily selling down my US equities and moving into international and bonds. I’m an investor, not a trader, so it is painful but necessary. The US is getting re-rated in every area imaginable.
I’m taking this opportunity to trim my overweight energy. I held Enphase and took a spectacular round trip. Whoops.
I’m rethinking trimming my energy exposure further. Various estimates suggest that a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz would triple or quadruple global oil prices, implying an oil price that could exceed $300. Iran possesses the capacity to sink commercial vessels there, as evidenced by the power of missiles recently used in attacks on Israel.
P/E ratios on Royalty//Streamers seem high:
$WPM 42
$FNV 38
$OR 35
$RGLD 25
I’m told that the business model on these deserves a premium, but I’m not sure THAT much of a premium.
Green energy, feels like it peaked four or five years ago; First Solar, Canadian Solar, Plug Power, Ballard, Bloom Energy. Lithium is another that’s been in the toilet for a few years now. Getting crushed today.
Hydrogen still has a chance… Big Oil will push when the time is right…even BP said the existing infrastructure can be retroed for liquid H2 transport
I’d stick with the actual fuel cell and electrolizer makers…. Just like BTC miners, any power company is more than completely capable of setting up their own mining operations…same as Big Oil – whom can produce ‘ grey hydrogen ‘ all day long
https://ases.org/fuel-cell-runs-on-biomass-sunlight/
I was in Bloom with a good entry and took profits last Fall on the runup in price. Don’t have any money in this sector since then.
US May retail sales were worse than expected and the worst in four months.
One issue is that previous retail sales numbers were inflated by the surge of pre-tariff consumer purchases, as was evident in the automobile market. Another issue is the drop-off of foreign tourists. Then, there is also the inflation sticker-shock issue and people’s inability to pay. Finally, there is the worry that one might lose their job or be picked up by ICE. So, that Americans are anxious is the story here.
See talk of splitting into a blue states//red states.
Mostly right-wing and white supremacists, but talk is out there.
We still have Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and other 1%ers.
They’ve been subdued lately but don’t think they have disappeared.
Solar stocks have been crushed this morning.
At the open:
RUN Sunrun down -40.4%
SEDG Solaredge down -36.7%
FSLR First Solar down -20.3%
ENPH Enphase down -23.5%
A new challenge for the industry. Trump does not want solar. US Senate proposes to eliminate incentives by 2028. RUN and ENPH hit 52-week lows.
I live off grid. Completely on solar. It actually works. Very hard for me to understand why, when faced with a serious environmental crisis we would not want to promote the way forward out of burning carbon based fuels. What is sad is the technology is here. The government has been subsidizing all kinds of other industries for years whether that is coal, oil or agriculture. Makes me sad to think we are just giving up and letting China be the new innovator. I guess that is where we are at, people want to go backwards in time. I don’t think it is going to end well for us.
Amen
https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/sustainable-aviation-fuels
https://www.kcrg.com/2025/06/14/epa-proposes-historic-renewable-fuel-blending-standards/?outputType=amp
Headline today: “Investors ‘pulling money out of US’ after Trump trade chaos.”
I wrote about this months ago. I even conducted a deep dive analysis into which international investors were involved and how much money ($15-18 trillion) might be pulled out.
A problem today is that anyone who utters a word that MAGA interprets as negative regarding Trump is branded as being ill with some Trump-related syndrome. LOL. All I care about are facts and truth. If that’s too much for some people to handle, so be it. It’s not a problem I’m concerned about.
Trump’s tariffs, buffoonery, and selection of cabinet members are, sadly, destroying the greatness of America. To the millions of Americans who fail to see it — the ones who still talk about Hillary’s emails or Hunter’s laptop — are blind to the geopolitical and worldwide social phenomenon that is mocking American belief in its exceptionalism.
The world is moving on. International trade and military agreements, tourist diversions, and US product boycotts are prevalent today. There were no surprises to the world when Trump’s military parade was an abject failure with empty stands facing a dour-looking President, as maybe 5 to 10 million other Americans across the country marched peacefully in the ‘No Kings’ protest.
With instant global telecommunications, nothing is hidden. Trump’s shoulder shrug as he burned up inside watching the military parade was noted by children in the deepest parts of South America, Asia, and Africa. The world is a village, one that knows the President is trying to transform America into the United States of Trump, not ‘Make America Great Again.’ It was always great, in fact, the world’s greatest until Trump regained control.
Now it’s an American problem. The world has moved on, including taking its money home.
The feeling is surreal, like a living wake, as the world watches — not celebrates — the death throes of an empire.
Are Walmart (WMT) and Amazon (AMZN) developing their digital currencies — dollar-backed stablecoins — to transform how we pay for everything?
Reasons for my not actively blogging.
I have been working with OpenAI and Grok to determine the vast gap between the potential and reality of AI. I am also transitioning to working with a new techie, new technology, and new projects. So while my input business-wise is at a maximum, my output is almost zero at the moment.
As I learn about AI, I’ll share a few key points that I consider essential and fundamental. For example, AI may request a PDF to review, but that is only for text. Its OCR reading is deficient, so Quality-In might (or probably) result in Garbage-Out. When submitting tables of numbers (say Excel), always have them communicated in CSV format — but, not just any CSV, only use CSV UTF-8 (comma delimited). The others will translate some data from accurate into garbage.
The biggest problem is that whenever a conversation is timed out or stopped by network failures or whatever, you have to start from scratch. AI does not save working documents or libraries (as yet).
Here is a recent message that I wish I had received before wasting hundreds of frustrated hours:
Think of this as living with somebody with dementia. If I did not have the intellectual curiosity, desire to learn, and stamina to continue, I would have quit weeks ago. But I have learned that the power of AI is far beyond the public’s understanding. It’s not hype to say that AI’s current stage is Kitty Hawk, but jet-powered transformation is coming, reshaping work and play beyond most everybody’s imagination.
Sovereign CDS
https://www.worldgovernmentbonds.com/sovereign-cds/
Had a quick 6-day trip with Devon for 14%, sold it Friday on the +move in energy. Holding Coterra Energy and Murphy Oil. Held Helmerich & Payne shares with a 15-handle. Too early to see the futures yet. Raised cash to 55%, will watch this week while sending in a tax payment to the IRS. Gold holding remains Perseus Mining with operations in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and a nice looking development project in Tanzania.
Room for all .. ” Comparing fuel cells like those from Plug Power to nuclear power for data centers involves examining their respective strengths and weaknesses:
Nuclear Power:
Pros:
24/7 power: Nuclear power plants provide continuous, reliable power generation, operating at full capacity more than other energy sources.
Long-term stability: Long plant lifespans (80+ years) and stable power purchase agreement prices contribute to long-term business planning stability for data centers.
Cons:
Large scale: Nuclear power plants are massive infrastructure projects, requiring significant upfront investment and specialized expertise.
Public perception and safety concerns: Concerns about nuclear waste disposal and potential accidents remain. 
Fuel Cells (like Plug Power’s):
Pros:
On-site power generation: Fuel cells offer the potential for localized, on-site power generation for data centers, reducing reliance on the grid.
Lower emissions: Fuel cells generate power without combustion, resulting in negligible pollutant emissions compared to traditional generators.
Flexibility and scalability: They can be adapted to various data center sizes and power needs, potentially offering easier scalability.
Potential for cost parity: Experts suggest that the cost of hydrogen fuel cells for data centers could reach parity with diesel generators in the coming years.
Reduced permit constraints: They may face fewer clean air permit constraints compared to traditional power sources.
Operational flexibility: Fuel cells offer quick response times to changes in power demand.
Moving towards carbon neutrality: Using fuel cells powered by green hydrogen can contribute to data centers’ carbon neutrality goals.
Cons:
Hydrogen availability and cost: Hydrogen production and infrastructure are still developing, and the cost of hydrogen fuel can be higher than traditional fuels.
Scaling up: While promising, the question of whether fuel cells can ramp up fast enough to meet the growing demands of data centers remains. 
Conclusion:
While nuclear power offers established 24/7 power and long-term stability, Plug Power and other companies are actively developing hydrogen fuel cell technology as a promising alternative for data centers. Fuel cells offer benefits such as on-site power, lower emissions, and flexibility, with potential for cost parity in the near future. However, challenges remain regarding hydrogen infrastructure and cost, as well as the ability to meet large-scale data center energy demands. The decision depends on a data center’s specific needs, priorities, and location. “..
** Large data centers may require up to 300 MW of energy, while smaller centers can vary, around 20 MW….
SMR’s would be necessary for the Google type centers… companies like Fuel Cell are sufficient for smaller centers
……”. Yes, companies like FuelCell Energy, Inc. can and do service data centers, providing them with reliable and sustainable power solutions. FuelCell Energy, specifically, has experience in deploying multi-megawatt fuel cell power plants and microgrids, which are suitable for the energy demands of data centers. 
Here’s why fuel cells are increasingly being considered for data centers:
Sustainability: Fuel cells offer a cleaner alternative to traditional power sources like diesel generators, producing significantly lower or zero emissions, especially when using hydrogen as fuel.
Reliability: Fuel cells can provide consistent and uninterrupted power, crucial for data center operations. They can act as both primary and backup power sources.
Efficiency: Fuel cells are known for their high efficiency in converting fuel to electricity.
Scalability and Flexibility: Fuel cell systems can be scaled up or down based on data center needs and can integrate with existing energy infrastructures.
Rapid Deployment: Fuel cells offer rapid deployment options for data centers looking to expand their power generation quickly. 
FuelCell Energy specifically:
Has experience in deploying multi-megawatt fuel cell plants and microgrids, including those for data centers.
Partnerships, such as the one with Diversified Energy and TESIAC, demonstrate their commitment to providing significant power capacity (up to 360 MW) to data centers in specific regions.
Their fuel cell technology can utilize fuels like natural gas, hydrogen, or biogas, and their plants can be integrated with other energy generation sources like solar and wind. 
Examples of companies utilizing fuel cells for data centers:
American Electric Power (AEP): Offering fuel cell solutions to support growing energy needs of large customers, including data centers.
Equinix: Has invested significantly in Bloom Energy fuel cells for their data centers.
Microsoft: Has piloted and tested hydrogen fuel cell systems for backup power in data centers.
Bloom Energy: Provides on-site power generation solutions to data centers, including those supporting AI workloads.
CoreWeave: Utilizing fuel cells to meet the power demands of their high-density computing facilities. 
While there are challenges to widespread adoption, such as hydrogen production and infrastructure development, the increasing demand for sustainable and reliable energy solutions makes fuel cells a compelling option for data centers.
Size does matter….. Urban congestion… Cities like ‘ Old Savannah ‘ are an ideal representation of how communities can be planned.. plat’s or squares will work…
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/savannah-city-plan/
From Bloomberg article:
Bank of America Corp.’s institutional clients have offloaded stocks for five consecutive weeks, according to the firm’s latest flow figures published Tuesday by equity and quantitative strategist Jill Carey Hall. Their cumulative selling through this point in the year is the most in the bank’s data history going back to 2008.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fear-uncertainty-held-p-500-120001315.html
Veridian Matrix AI: Scam
Recently, a dubious new venture has emerged, promising to use AI to make Canadians money by trading crypto (and later, all stocks). The website has been shut down, but marketing continues via many dubious internet sites.
Who are the people behind this scam that uses unauthorized logos of CBC and others, and fake videos of the Canadian Prime Minister?
For this very reason, I agreed this week to join an OpenAI committee of external experts. These scam operators, and any like them, must be shut down and prosecuted as soon as possible.
Novo’s Next CEO: An American Outsider? U.S. Reliance Could Make It a Logical Choice
Oh, the arrogance of US exceptionalism!
From Marketbeat:
12% up move in crude now; is anyone even alive here?
😂you are not alone.
A blip yes…Trand change since 2022 maybe. But easy money has been sell it until it tells you not too….
goldbug58
Yes !!… Beaten all to heck, maybe…just maybe… Definitely long term if bought… https://finance.yahoo.com/news/plug-power-just-landed-5-205136061.html
😁
The worm is turning
Indeed, the worm may be turning. I have not studied it, but intuitively, I guess you could argue that as the price of oil increases (especially if the futures outlook is volatile / uncertain), then alternatives would naturally catch a bid. If true, then I can see where PLUG would catch a bid and potentially go higher as long as the Isreal – Iran conflict continues and/or has no end in sight.
Yes… But, ( Europe especially ) more and more entities are switching to alternative fuel sources…and, as peak oil approaches, what then ?..the technology will continue to advance…
And something we’ve never discussed here – ‘ white hydrogen ,’ ..https://fuelcellsworks.com/news/what-is-white-hydrogen-and-why-is-it-called-the-infinite-oil-of-the-future
I’m relatively sure that everyone here knows of the difficulty of hydrogen extraction, transfer, and potential safety issues – just as we know the risks of nuclear energy use… So let’s get past that and consider the future for our children, their children and this place we all live, called Earth…
WTI +2.27 or 3.34% to 70.31 overnight; Brent up similar as Israel bombs Tehran.
NASDAQ 10.9 Billion shares traded as of 1pm today, will likely set a daily record.