The world's population is on track to reach 9 billion by 2050. At the same time, global consumption patterns are shifting, with growing demand for protein-rich diets in many regions and greater transparency in developed markets.
Now more than ever, the world is asking U.S. farmers to produce more while using fewer resources.
At the start of the war, stocks fell and oil prices rose on fears of the economic fallout from a historic energy shock — now that connection is fraying.
Why it matters: It highlights a key distinction between the stock market, which frequently seems to trade on vibes and memes, and commodities markets which ultimately are tethered to real physical goods.
China has stashed away far more oil than any other country, according to U.S. government data released this week.
Why it matters: The stockpile, which surged last year, is emerging as a strategic advantage as the world faces an oil shock with the Strait of Hormuz largely shut.
Tesla reported an uptick in quarterly revenue and profit, but the costs of pivoting to an AI future are starting to add up.
Why it matters: CEO Elon Musk has directed the company to invest heavily in the development and production of humanoid robots, self-driving cars and AI chips.
Global electricity generation from renewables edged past coal in 2025, per a new analysis by Ember, a clean energy think tank.
Why it matters: The inflection point with renewables — mostly hydro, solar, wind and bioenergy — helped to keep CO2 emissions from power essentially flat even as consumption rose, it found.
A well-timed, optimistic post on Truth Social from President Trump about the war in Iran can send stocks higher.
Why it matters: Social media posts from the White House have become key drivers of the oil and stock markets during the conflict, particularly as its resolution seems to keep moving further and further out of reach.
President Trump's decision to suspend a controversial maritime law during the Iran war has made it easier to ship oil across the U.S. — and now he wants to keep it that way, according to U.S. officials.
Why it matters: Known as the Jones Act, the 1920 law raises the cost of shipping between U.S. ports because it requires goods to be carried on American-flagged vessels, which are in relatively short supply compared to the global supply.
