Venezuelan oil exports to China faced disruption on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on countries importing Venezuelan crude, effective April 2.

The move deepens market uncertainty, especially following recent U.S. restrictions on Iranian oil shipments to China.

As part of broader sanctions on Venezuela, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License No. 41B, allowing Chevron to wind down certain joint ventures in the country—a decision with major implications for the energy sector and US-Venezuela relations.

Chinese traders and refiners, already navigating complex global markets, were caught off guard. “The worst thing in the oil market is uncertainty. We won’t dare touch the oil for now,” a top executive from a major Chinese trading firm told Reuters.

Industry insiders urge caution, emphasizing the need to assess how the tariff will be enforced and whether Venezuelan oil imports can be identified.

Impact on Chinese buyers: a pause in imports

Chinese traders reacted fast to the tax threat by suspending April Venezuelan oil supplies.

This decision mirrors a broader reluctance among independent refiners, sometimes known as “teapots,” which account for a sizable share of Venezuelan crude purchases.

Another trade executive said to Reuters that, “It’s a total mess,” the executive said. “China is already in a tariff war with the US. So be it.”

This uncertainty raises questions about the future availability and pricing of Venezuelan oil, further aggravating already strained trade connections.

Venezuela, a country in economic difficulty, relies significantly on Chinese imports, shipping nearly 503,000 barrels per day (bpd) to its largest customer, accounting for almost 55% of its oil exports.

The majority of these barrels are rebranded as Malaysian oil, complicating traceability of origin and compliance with international sanctions.

China’s opposition to ‘unilateral sanctions’

In response to Trump’s tariff threats, China again criticized unilateral sanctions by the United States.

 ”The United States has long abused illegal unilateral sanctions and so-called long-arm jurisdiction to grossly interfere in the internal affairs of other countries,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing.

This response from China’s government reflects both the current geopolitical tensions as well as showing the commitment of China to the energy procurement strategy, irrespective of the pressure on the one side from the US.

This changing environment adds another layer of complexity to the international energy dynamic, especially for countries with ongoing internal and external economic challenges, such as Venezuela.

The future of Venezuela’s oil trade remains uncertain

Chinese traders and refiners are in a vulnerable situation as the Venezuelan oil market remains unsettled as a result of Trump’s tariff threats.

The halt in imports reflects a deep-seated concern about the unpredictable nature of US foreign policy and its possible impact on critical energy supplies.

Looking ahead, resolving these conflicts will be critical not just for Venezuela’s economy but also for global oil markets, where a consistent supply from Middle Eastern sources is dependent on geopolitical connections.

With the future of Venezuelan oil exports in doubt, industry stakeholders will be keenly monitoring developments in the hopes of finding clarity in an increasingly volatile trade environment.

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The US population is aging. In fact, according to Mizuho analysts, those aged 75 and more will likely make up about 10% of the country’s population by the end of this decade.

The investment firm expects spending attributed to American consumers in that age range to nearly double over the next five years, which could benefit several stocks through the end of this decade.

Two names in particular that Mizuho believes will gain due to this shift in the composition of the US population are Home Depot and GE Healthcare. 

Home Depot Inc (NYSE: HD)

Mizuho expects Home Depot stock to benefit as the US population ages because people are often not comfortable with moving into a new house in old age.

This could lead to increased spending on home improvement, which could result in a significant benefit to HD shares in the coming years.

“A rapidly aging housing stock coupled with a shift towards services should represent an ongoing positive for home-related maintenance demand and repairs,” it told clients in a recent note.

Mizuho is positive on Home Depot stock because more than half of the US homes currently are at least 40 years old.

Its $450 price target indicates a potential upside of close to 30% from here.

A 2.62% dividend yield makes HD shares all the more exciting to own at current levels.

The strength of the company’s financials may be another reason to invest in Home Depot in 2025.

In February, the home improvement retailer reported $3.02 a share of earnings on $39.70 billion in revenue.

Analysts, in comparison, were at $3.01 per share and $39.16 billion, respectively.

GE Healthcare Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: GEHC)

Mizuho sees the recent pullback in GE Healthcare as an opportunity for long-term investors.

Its analysts are convinced that GEHC will benefit as people aged 75 and more make up a bigger chunk of the US population since seniors need more tests and procedures and, therefore, contribute significantly to the overall demand for health technology.

The investment firm recommends owning GE Healthcare shares at current levels also because the Nasdaq-listed firm is tapping on artificial intelligence to grow its business.

Just last week, the AI darling, Nvidia, announced a team-up with GEHC on autonomous imaging.

Much like HD, the company based out of Chicago, Illinois, is also doing well financially.

Last month, it reported $1.45 a share of earnings for its fourth quarter – well above the $1.26 per share that experts had forecast.

That’s why the rest of Wall Street agrees with Mizuho on GEHC.

The consensus rating on GE Healthcare stock currently sits at “overweight,” with the mean target of about $103 indicating a potential upside of some 25% from here.

Note that GEHC is a dividend stock that currently yields 0.17%.  

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Napster, the pioneering brand that once symbolized digital music piracy, has been acquired for $207 million by tech firm Infinite Reality.

The deal, announced Tuesday, marks yet another chapter in the evolution of the Napster brand, which has changed hands multiple times over the past decade.

Infinite Reality, a company focused on extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence, and immersive digital experiences, plans to transform Napster from a traditional streaming service into a social-first platform where fans can directly engage with artists.

The acquisition aligns with a broader trend in the music industry, where companies are increasingly looking to monetize fan engagement beyond streaming revenue.

Infinite Reality CEO John Acunto told CNBC that the company envisions Napster as a marketing tool for the metaverse, allowing fans to interact with their favorite artists in virtual 3D spaces.

Infinite Reality’s plans for Napster: Virtual concerts and interactive fan experiences

Infinite Reality’s ambitions for Napster go beyond conventional music streaming.

The company plans to integrate social features, digital merchandise sales, and immersive virtual experiences, creating an environment where fans can participate in listening parties, attend concerts, and interact with artists in customized virtual spaces.

Acunto described the concept as “Clubhouse times a trillion,” referring to the social audio platform that saw a surge in popularity during the pandemic.

He emphasized the need for dedicated virtual spaces designed specifically for music communities.

“When we think about clients who have audiences—whether they are influencers, creators, or musicians—we see a huge opportunity to build connected spaces around music,” Acunto told CNBC.

“We just don’t see anybody in the streaming space doing this right now.”

The company’s vision also includes monetization opportunities for artists. Musicians and labels will be able to sell both physical and virtual merchandise within Napster’s ecosystem.

Infinite Reality Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer Jon Vlassopulos, who will continue as Napster’s CEO, highlighted the potential for artists to craft unique digital experiences.

“Imagine stepping into a virtual venue to watch an exclusive show with friends, chatting with your favorite artist in their virtual hangout as they drop a new single, and directly buying their exclusive digital and physical merch,” Vlassopulos said.

Napster’s long journey from piracy to legitimacy

While the Napster brand still carries echoes of its controversial past, today’s Napster is a far cry from the peer-to-peer file-sharing network that disrupted the music industry in the late 1990s.

The original Napster, co-founded by Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker in 1999, was shut down in the early 2000s following a wave of lawsuits from record labels and artists.

In 2011, streaming service Rhapsody acquired Napster’s brand and later rebranded itself under the name in 2016.

Since then, Napster has been acquired multiple times, each time reflecting shifting technology trends.

In 2020, virtual reality firm MelodyVR purchased Napster for $70 million, hoping to turn it into a hybrid music and live-streaming platform.

Two years later, crypto-focused companies Hivemind and Algorand acquired Napster, aiming to integrate blockchain and Web3 technologies into its business model.

However, those efforts failed to gain significant traction.

Infinite Reality’s acquisition represents yet another attempt to redefine the brand’s place in the digital music landscape.

Infinite Reality’s broader ambitions

Infinite Reality has been aggressively expanding its digital entertainment footprint.

The company, which was founded in 2019 and is building a headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has made several high-profile acquisitions in recent months, including the Drone Racing League, virtual reality retail brand Obsess, and metaverse development firm Landvault.

Earlier this year, Infinite Reality claimed to have raised $3 billion at a $12.25 billion valuation.

However, the company has not disclosed its investors, stating that they wish to remain anonymous.

Beyond music, Infinite Reality also operates in esports and digital entertainment.

The company owns esports teams that compete in popular titles such as League of Legends and Call of Duty, and it intends to use these platforms to cross-promote music experiences on Napster.

Acunto sees the music industry shifting toward direct-to-fan engagement and believes Napster’s transformation will help artists capitalize on new revenue streams.

“I firmly believe that the artist-fan relationship is evolving, with fans craving hyper-personalized, intimate access to their favorite artists, while artists are searching for innovative ways to deepen connections with fans and access new streams of revenue,” he said.

Can Infinite Reality succeed where others have failed?

Napster’s rebranding efforts over the years have largely failed to make a lasting impact on the industry.

While Infinite Reality’s plans for metaverse integration and virtual fan experiences are ambitious, it remains to be seen whether they will resonate with music audiences.

The music industry has already seen several attempts to merge streaming, virtual reality, and Web3 technologies with mixed results.

While platforms like Roblox and Fortnite have successfully hosted virtual concerts, many blockchain-based music ventures have struggled to gain mainstream adoption.

Napster, however, still has a well-known brand name and a history of disrupting the industry.

With Infinite Reality’s resources and its focus on interactive digital experiences, this latest acquisition could be the boldest attempt yet to redefine Napster for the modern era.

For now, the company is betting big on the idea that music fans want more than just streaming—they want immersive, community-driven experiences that allow them to feel closer to the artists they love.

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Oklo Inc (NYSE: OKLO) says its loss widened rather significantly in 2024, leading to a more than 10% decline in its stock price on Tuesday.

The nuclear energy company lost 74 cents on a per-share basis versus 47 cents only in 2023.

Still, analysts remain bullish as ever on the pre-revenue company as the narrative surrounding it is more important than its financials in the near term.

Including today’s decline, Oklo stock is down 50% versus its year-to-date high on February 7^th.

Why are analysts keeping bullish on Oklo stock?

Oklo shares are being punished this morning also because its management warned of “significant expenses and continuing financial losses” on Tuesday.

However, a senior Wedbush analyst Dan Ives recommends that investors focus on the longer term.

Ives sees upside in Oklo stock to $45 as its new 75-megawatt reactor will help “deliver more power to customers, specifically data centres.” His price target indicates potential for about a 60% gain from current levels.  

Note that the nuclear technology company based out of Santa Clara, CA is committed to start delivering commercial power by the end of 2027.

Oklo’s 75MW model will lead to better plant economics

Following the company’s earnings release today, Citi analyst Vikram Bagi agreed that Oklo stock may remain choppy in the near term, but echoed a positive view for the longer term.

Bagi is also bullish on the firm’s 75MW model “due to data center customer requirements that indicate 60-75 megawatt as the sweet spot.”

Oklo’s Aurora nuclear reactors are now capable of producing between 15MW and 75MW from a single powerhouse – significantly more than 15MW to 50MW previously.

According to Bagi, larger design will lead to increased upfront costs, but will deliver “better overall plant economics” in the long run.

Despite recent pullback, Oklo shares are currently up some five-fold versus their 52-week low.

Oklo’s recent acquisition could soon drive revenue

Oklo stock remains attractive because giants like Microsoft have repeatedly shown interest in nuclear energy as a reliable and carbon-free power source for their energy-intensive data centers.

Analysts are bullish on the NYSE listed firm’s recently completed acquisition of Atomic Alchemy to expand into the radioisotope market.

Bagi expects Oklo to start reaping the benefits of that buyout by early next year.

The Atomic Alchemy deal could begin driving revenue for the company as early as the first quarter of 2026, he told clients in a recent note.

Investors should note, however, that the nuclear technology company does not currently pay a dividend. Its future hinges on its ability to secure timely agreements with potential customers.

So, delays on that front remain a significant downside risk for OKLO shares at the time of writing.

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Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is aiming to more than double its overseas sales to over 800,000 units in 2025 as it continues its aggressive international expansion, its chairman told analysts on an earnings call on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

The company, which sold 417,204 units outside China in 2024, sees strong potential in Britain, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, where it expects market share to grow significantly.

Chairman Wang Chuanfu told analysts on an earnings call that BYD will navigate tariff challenges by assembling cars locally while still relying on China for key components.

The move comes as several governments impose or consider tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles.

Britain, in particular, presents a promising opportunity for BYD, as Wang described the market as “very open” to competitive Chinese products.

The company also expects to benefit from growing acceptance of Chinese brands in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where demand for affordable electric vehicles is increasing.

BYD plans local assembly to counter tariff barriers

With protectionist measures increasing in key markets, BYD is adopting a strategy of local vehicle assembly while sourcing components from China.

This approach allows the company to maintain its cost advantages while ensuring compliance with local trade policies.

Wang did not disclose specific countries where this approach would be implemented but emphasized that BYD would continue expanding its production footprint.

Currently, the company is constructing factories in Brazil, Thailand, Hungary, and Turkey, reinforcing its commitment to global manufacturing.

However, BYD’s expansion in Brazil, its largest market outside China, has not been without controversy.

In 2023, the company faced allegations of labor abuses, which briefly overshadowed its progress in the region.

Despite this setback, BYD remains committed to strengthening its presence in Latin America, a region where it sees long-term growth potential.

North America remains off the table

BYD has no immediate plans to enter the US and Canadian markets due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and high tariffs.

Both countries have maintained duties of up to 100% on Chinese electric vehicles, effectively blocking access for Chinese automakers.

While competitors like Tesla have expanded their operations in China, BYD is taking a different approach, focusing on markets that offer fewer regulatory hurdles.

Europe, Australia, and emerging economies remain key targets for expansion, as the company seeks to diversify revenue streams amid intense competition in China’s EV sector.

Profitability ambitions and smart driving expansion

Wang expressed confidence that BYD’s profitability per vehicle would surpass that of Toyota once it reaches a comparable sales scale.

Toyota, the world’s top automaker by volume, sold 10.8 million vehicles in 2024, while BYD sold 4.27 million.

In addition to increasing production capacity, BYD is investing heavily in software and semiconductor development.

The company plans to expand its intelligent driving technology workforce from 5,000 to 8,000 people, though no specific timeline was provided.

BYD also intends to introduce its smart driving features to global markets by 2026 or 2027.

As part of this initiative, the company plans to send more employees overseas to support its international expansion strategy.

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