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ESH Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company. It was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company was founded on November 17, 2021 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

ESH Acquisition Corp - Ordinary Shares - Class A

ESHA is trending due to a massive volume spike and price surge, triggering multiple trading halts, as community discussion focuses on its extremely low float and high insider ownership for a potential short squeeze. Many are comparing it to recent explosive SPACs, with speculative targets suggesting significant upside, fueled by talking points like a rumored "sex toy manufacturer" acquisition. The stock's momentum reflects its position as a key play in the current "SPAC mania" for micro-float tickers.

Ondas Holdings, Inc. engages in the development, marketing, and sale of wireless radio systems for secure, wide area mission-critical business-to-business networks. It operates through the Ondas Networks and Ondas Autonomous Systems segments. The Ondas Networks segment provides wireless connectivity solutions enabling mission-critical Industrial Internet applications and services. The Ondas Autonomous Systems segment designs, develops, and markets commercial drone solutions via the Optimus System and Scout System. The company was founded on December 22, 2014 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Ondas Holdings Inc

Ondas Holdings (ONDS) is trending due to recent autonomous system orders and the FCC's ban on foreign-made drones, which significantly boosts its role in the domestic market. The community is actively discussing a potential short squeeze and anticipating a significant price breakout, with many seeing dips as buying opportunities. This positions Ondas as a crucial player in the growing defense and critical infrastructure sectors for autonomous and counter-drone solutions.

Intelligent Bio Solutions, Inc. is a medical technology company, which engages in delivering testing solutions. It operates through the Intelligent Fingerprinting Products (IFPG) and Saliva Glucose Biosensor Platform (SGBP) segments. It offers biochemistry, immunology, tumor markers, hormones, and nucleic acid diagnostic modalities. The company was founded on December 5, 2016 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc

Intelligent Bio Solutions (INBS) is rapidly trending due to a potent combination of its extremely low share float and a potential short squeeze, driving significant momentum. The recent announcement of a strategic manufacturing partnership, expected to boost production margins, further amplifies investor interest. The community is actively discussing strong buying defense and a "textbook" short squeeze play as the company continues to expand global adoption of its fingerprint drug screening technology.

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company, which engages in the business of discovering and developing pharmaceutical products and medications to treat severe endocrinologic, oncologic, metabolic, and neurologic disorders by modulating the effects of the hormone cortisol. The company was founded by David B. Singer and Joseph K. Belanoff on May 13, 1998 and is headquartered in Redwood City, CA.

Corcept Therapeutics Inc

Corcept Therapeutics is trending after the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter for its relacorilant hypertension indication, triggering a sharp stock decline and intense community debate. Investors are divided, with many viewing the sell-off as an overreaction given the company's existing profitable drug and other pipeline programs, while others express caution regarding potential delays and future prospects.

Litecoin is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency created by Charlie Lee. It was created based on the Bitcoin protocol but differs in terms of the hashing algorithm used. Litecoin uses the memory intensive Scrypt proof of work mining algorithm. Scrypt allows consumer-grade hardware such as GPU to mine those coins.  Why Litecoin? Litecoin is a cryptocurrency that has evolved from Bitcoin after its own popularity in the industry, this alternative, or ‘altcoin’ has emerged to allow investors to diversify their digital currency package, according to Investopedia. Litecoin is one of the most prominent altcoins and was created by former Google employee and Director of Engineering at Coinbase, Charlie Lee. Litecoin was the first to alter Bitcoin and the most significant difference is that it takes 2.5 minutes for Litecoin to generate a block, or transaction, in comparison to Bitcoin's 10 minutes.  ‘While this matters little to traders, miners who use hardware to run Bitcoin's network cannot switch over to Litecoin. This keeps bigger mining conglomerates away from Litecoin because they cannot easily optimize their profits by swapping to another coin, contributing to a more decentralized experience. Litecoin also has bigger blocks, and more coins in circulation, making it more affordable and swift when transacting,’ Investopedia explained.  As explained above, Litecoin can transact a lot faster than Bitcoin, but there are also a number of other characteristics that investors need to know before trading. Litecoin can handle higher volumes of transactions because of the capability of transacting faster and if Bitcoin attempted to transact on the scale of its altcoin, a code update would be needed. However, Litecoin’s blocks would be larger, but with more ‘orphaned blocks'. The faster block time of litecoin reduces the risk of double spending attacks - this is theoretical in the case of both networks having the same hashing power.  Litecoin Technical Details: The transaction confirmation time taken for Litecoin is about 2.5 minutes on average (as compared to Bitcoin's 10 minutes). The Litecoin network is scheduled to cap at 84 million currency units.   Litecoin has inspired many other popular alternative currencies (eg. Dogecoin) because of its Scrypt hashing algorithm in order to prevent ASIC miners from mining those coins. However it is said that by the end of this year, Scrypt ASIC will enter the mass market.

Litecoin

Litecoin is currently trending amidst heightened retail interest and a surging community dialogue about its potential for a significant breakout. Despite some historical underperformance, traders are keenly observing technical indicators and anticipating a major rally, with many viewing current price levels as a critical opportunity before an expected upward move.

Applied Digital Corp. is a technology company, which engages in the provision of development and operation of data centers which provide computing power. It operates through the Data Center Hosting Business and HPC Hosting Business segments. The Data Center Hosting Business segment provides energized infrastructure services to crypto mining customers. The HPC Hosting Business segment focuses on the designing, constructing, and operating data centers tailored to support high power density applications like HPC and AI. The company was founded by Wesley Carl Cummins and Jason Zhang in May 2001 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.

Applied Digital Corporation

Applied Digital is trending following its CEO's strategic insights on CNBC and news of spinning off its cloud business into ChronoScale, a move seen by many as unlocking significant value and clarifying its pure-play AI data center infrastructure focus. The community is actively discussing sustained demand from hyperscalers and strong analyst confidence ahead of its upcoming earnings report, fueling bullish sentiment despite recent price volatility. This strategic realignment aims to capitalize on the booming AI infrastructure market with a clearer business model and substantial contracted revenue.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. engages in the development and commercialization of therapies for high unmet medical needs. The firm intends to treat schizophrenia, jet lag disorder, atopic dermatitis, central nervous system disorders, and circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Its product portfolio includes HETLIOZ, Fanapt, Tradipitant, Trichostatin, and AQW051. The company was founded by Mihael Hristos Polymeropoulos and Argeris N. Karabelas in 2002 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc

Vanda Pharmaceuticals is trending with high enthusiasm following its FDA approval for NEREUS, marking the first new motion sickness treatment in over four decades. The community is actively discussing the drug's game-changing potential, particularly its ability to address GLP-1 induced nausea, which presents a vast market opportunity and fuels speculation of a major pharma buyout. This significant regulatory win, alongside VNDA's robust pipeline and strong financial position, is driving widespread bullish sentiment.

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. operates a telehealth consultation platform. It connects consumers to healthcare professionals, enabling them to access medical care for mental health, sexual health, dermatology and primary care. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Hims & Hers Health Inc - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Hims & Hers Health Inc

Hims & Hers Health is trending amidst a wave of strong bearish sentiment, largely attributed to sustained selling pressure, high short interest, and year-end tax loss harvesting. The community is actively discussing the recent FDA approval of Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy pill, seeing a potential for partnership and a significant catalyst for HIMS's future growth in GLP-1 offerings, alongside its ongoing expansion in D2C lab testing and international markets. Despite current frustration, many long-term investors are using this dip as a buying opportunity, anticipating a strong reversal.

Motorola Solutions, Inc. engages in the provision of communication infrastructure, devices, accessories, software, and services. It operates through the Products and Systems Integration and Software and Services segments. The Products and Systems Integration segment includes a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices, and the implementation and integration of such systems, devices, and applications. The Software and Services segment focuses on the public safety and enterprise Command Center Software, unified communications applications, and video software solutions. The company was founded on September 25, 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Motorola Solutions Inc

Motorola Solutions ($MSI) is trending following strategic acquisitions in advanced communications and AI-powered video monitoring, reinforcing its leadership in mission-critical technology for public safety and enterprise security. Community sentiment reflects a strong focus on institutional accumulation, evident in large dark pool trades and technical indicators suggesting the stock is oversold, signaling potential for a reversal.

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, which engages in the development of novel therapies for the management of central nervous system disorders. Its portfolio consists of Products Overview and Pipeline Overview. The Products Overview includes Auvelity and Sunosi. The Pipeline Overview refers to AXS-05, AXS-07, AXS-12, and AXS-14. The company was founded by Herriot Tabuteau on January 12, 2012 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Axsome Therapeutics Inc

Axsome Therapeutics is trending due to the FDA's acceptance and priority review of its supplemental New Drug Application for AXS-05 in Alzheimer's disease agitation, with an action date anticipated in the near future. This significant regulatory milestone, combined with growing sales of its existing CNS therapies like Auvelity, has ignited immense optimism within the community, with many anticipating substantial long-term value and discussing breakthrough potential.

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Oil ETFs Rally Amid Intensifying U.S.-Venezuela Tension

Oil ETFs are rallying as U.S.-Venezuela maritime clashes lift crude prices, adding a geopolitical risk premium. 

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Supply keeps climbing, led by record U.S. output and rising OPEC+ production.</li><li>Demand remains soft, especially in China, while geopolitical risk premiums fade.</li><li>Lower oil is easing inflation, pushing U.S. gas prices below $3 a gallon.</li></ul>U.S. oil prices fell below $55 a barrel on Tuesday for the first time since February 2021, extending a sharp slide as growing supply runs into softer global demand.West Texas Intermediate crude dipped under $55 in early trading, a level last seen as the pandemic-era downturn was fading. Global benchmark Brent also slid, dropping below $60 a barrel and moving toward its lowest close in nearly five years.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Supply Keeps Rising As Demand Struggles</h2>The move lower is the latest in a series that's accompanied ongoing market floods of oil. U.S. production hit a fresh record of 13.8 million barrels a day of oil and gas equivalent in September, newly released data from the Energy Information Administration show.Meanwhile, OPEC and its allies, led by Russia, have been adding barrels on a monthly basis since April. The group agreed last month to increase output by a further 137,000 barrels a day in December.Demand hasn't kept pace. Consumption growth has been sluggish, especially in China where broader economic weakness has sapped energy demand. The International Energy Agency has warned that the global oil market could be in surplus of more than 4 million barrels a day next year.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Market Signals Add Pressure</h2>Hopes for a potential cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine have also reduced the geopolitical premium that had supported crude prices for much of the conflict.Additional signs of strain are emerging within the oil market itself. Middle Eastern crude prices have moved into a bearish contango structure, while recent strength in gasoline and diesel pricing has faded, removing another source of support for crude.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Analyst Takes</h2>Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor at Allianz, said in a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/elerianm/status/2000899148330008670">post on X</a> that the latest move reflects how heavily supply dynamics are weighing on oil.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:595/601;" src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/el_erian_png_a47b1fab42.webp" alt="el-erian.png" width="595" height="601"><figcaption>&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile, James E. Thorne, chief market strategist at Wellington-Altus, said in a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/DrJStrategy/status/2000863071678685484">post on X</a> that the drop in energy prices is already sending a clear signal. “Best leading indicator of inflation, gasoline,” Thorne said, adding that markets will need to absorb a glut of crude oil in 2026 and that “central bankers are on the wrong side of the trade again.”<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:475/782;" src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/james_ss_png_662a9514b4.webp" alt="james ss.png" width="475" height="782"><figcaption>&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h2 class="st-heading-2">Relief At The Pump</h2>Lower crude prices are already filtering through to U.S. consumers. Gasoline prices have dropped below $3 a gallon nationwide, according to GasBuddy, with Christmas Day prices forecast at $2.79, the lowest since 2020, according to a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/crude-oil-wti-brent-price-today-8e54b1f1">report</a> by Barron’s.GasBuddy estimates the decline from last year’s levels could translate into roughly $521 million in savings for U.S. drivers over the holiday week.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

A person fishes with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California.

US Oil Crashes Below $55 For First Time Since 2021 As Supply Floods The Market

Oversupply, soft demand, and fading geopolitical risk are dragging crude lower while easing inflation pressure.

Equity

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The firm reportedly noted an improving oil backdrop in the second half of 2026, and it $1 billion of debt reduction by mid-year as the key catalyst for the shares.</li><li>Advancements in drilling technology and industry consolidation have led to a steady decline in costs in the U.S.</li><li>The company said in November that its capital requirements are projected to decrease by $100 million from 2025 levels next year.</li></ul>Devon Energy stock (DVN) rose over 1.5% in premarket trading on Friday after UBS analysts turned bullish about the oil producer.According to TheFly, UBS upgraded Devon Energy to ‘Buy’ from ‘Neutral’ and raised the price target to $46 from $40. The new price target implies an upside of 19.8% relative to the stock’s previous close.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What Did UBS Say?</h2>The firm reportedly noted an improving oil backdrop in the second half of 2026, and it $1 billion of debt reduction by mid-year as the key catalyst for the shares. Devon's first-half 2026 updates should build confidence that the company will execute the cost-reduction strategy by the end of next year, UBS added.Advancements in drilling technology and industry consolidation have led to a steady decline in costs in the U.S. Several oil and gas companies have curbed their spending to protect their margins amid volatility in commodity prices. The company said in November that its capital requirements are projected to decrease by $100 million from 2025 levels next year.It also stated that production optimization has increased production to 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), exceeding its original guidance.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What Are Stocktwits Users Saying?</h2>Retail sentiment on Stocktwits about <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/DVN">Devon</a> moved to ‘neutral’ from ‘bearish’ territory a day ago.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:712/99;" src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/DVN_Dec_12_JPG_d3d6473a00.webp" alt="DVN’s Sentiment Meter and Message Volume as of 07:12 a.m. ET on Dec. 12, 2025 | Source: Stocktwits" width="712" height="99"><figcaption>DVN’s Sentiment Meter and Message Volume as of 07:12 a.m. ET on Dec. 12, 2025 | Source: Stocktwits</figcaption></figure>Devon Energy stock has gained 12.5% this year, despite a 20% decline in U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude prices.Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/has-roblox-s-viral-growth-faded-jp-morgan-sees-rough-waters-ahead/cLICh6rREF0">Has Roblox’s Viral Growth Faded? JPMorgan Sees Rough Waters Ahead</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

In this photo illustration, the Devon Energy company logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Piotr Swat/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Why Is Devon Energy Stock Rising Pre-Market?

According to TheFly, UBS upgraded Devon Energy to ‘Buy’ from ‘Neutral’ and raised the price target on the stock to $46 from $40.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Valero Energy, Marathon Petroleum, and Phillips 66 led the energy sector in gains this year.</li><li>Energy infrastructure firms such as Williams have benefited from the sustained demand for its pipelines and other facilities amid a boom in electricity demand.</li><li>Oil major Exxon has raised its output to 4.8 million barrels per day.</li></ul>The energy sector has been navigating plenty of turbulence this year amid geopolitical tensions, Trump’s tariffs, and wild swings in commodity prices.Oil prices plunged below $60 per barrel after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs. Prices had jumped to nearly $80 per barrel when the conflict between Iran and Israel escalated. At the time of writing, Brent crude fell to about $62 per barrel, as OPEC production continued to add to concerns about oversupply.Stocktwits examines how the 10 largest oil companies in the S&amp;P 500 by market valuation performed this year, as of Dec. 8.&nbsp;<img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Cez_Fr_top_performing_large_cap_energy_stocks_in_2025_png_be3bd4d9db.webp" alt="CezFr-top-performing-large-cap-energy-stocks-in-2025-.png"><h2 class="st-heading-2">Refiners Stage A Comeback</h2>After grappling with weak margins for several quarters, refiners saw their fortunes reverse this year amid tighter fuel supplies stemming from maintenance work, refinery closures, and geopolitical tensions.The strong fuel prices have also supported Brent crude amid concerns of oversupply. The top three best-performing oil companies in 2025 were the refiners Valero Energy, Phillips 66, and Marathon Petroleum.Valero EnergySan Antonio, Texas-based Valero has led the pack, logging 46.5% gains this year. The company’s refinery utilization rate stood at 97% in the third quarter, backed by strong global demand and persistently low inventory levels despite high utilization rates. The company’s ethanol segment also logged record production in the third quarter, further boosting its earnings.“Although OPEC began unwinding their production cuts in April, much of that volume was offset by an increase in summer power burn. So it wasn't really until September that we saw any meaningful increase in the export volume from OPEC,” Valero Chief Operating Officer Garry Simmons said in October.Marathon PetroleumThe biggest U.S. refiner by capacity has closely followed Valero, with 39.6% gains. However, the stock took a hit earlier in November, after its third-quarter earnings missed Wall Street’s estimates, hurt by weak results in the renewable diesel segment. Its refinery maintenance costs also rose to $400 million during the quarter, up from $287 million, which hit its bottom line.However, the company also projected a resilient fuel market heading into 2026. “Gasoline and distillate inventory levels remain below five-year averages. Current market fundamentals are indicative of tightness in supply and supportive demand, which we believe will persist into 2026,” said Marathon CEO Maryann Mannen.Phillips 66The refiner, up over 27% this year, has been steadily improving its operating performance amid Elliott Investment Management's efforts to effect change at the company. The refiner topped third-quarter earnings in October and logged an average utilization rate of 99%.The company plans to shut its Los Angeles-area refinery by the end of this year, due to uncertain long-term viability, weak margins, increased renewable diesel, high costs, and market shifts.Williams Co.&nbsp;The energy infrastructure firm Williams, which has risen nearly 20% this year, has benefited from the sustained demand for its pipelines and other facilities amid a boom in electricity demand. In October, the company said it would invest $3.1 billion in two projects to capitalize on the robust growth driven by AI data centers.U.S. data centers will require 22% more grid power by the end of 2025 than they did one year earlier, and will need nearly three times as much in 2030, according to a report by the S&amp;P Global. Artificial intelligence data centers are driving a surge in power demand as U.S. firms spend billions to build infrastructure.ExxonMobilThe oil major has gained over 12.4% this year, despite the volatility in commodity prices. Its production has surged to 4.8 million barrels per day, aided by robust output from the Permian Basin and Guyana. Stronger refinery margins have also helped it offset losses from weak oil prices.The company could further bolster its production as it is in talks with the Iraqi government to buy Lukoil’s stake in a giant oilfield following U.S. sanctions on the oil producer.Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/antero-resources-to-buy-hg-energy-s-upstream-assets-for-2-8-b/cLIYqWZREme">Antero Resources To Buy HG Energy’s Upstream Assets For $2.8B</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Sunset view with silhouette of an oil rig.

 Best Energy Stocks In 2025

After grappling with weak margins for several quarters, refiners saw their fortunes reverse this year amid tighter fuel supplies.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>OPEC initially began with five countries, which are Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, to end the dominance of the so-called ‘seven sisters’ Western oil companies and maintain stable oil prices.</li><li>Since then, the alliance has expanded to 12 members, including Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;</li><li>OPEC established the OPEC+ coalition with 10 of the world's leading non-OPEC oil producers, including Russia, at the end of 2016.</li></ul>The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was established in September 1960, following a conference held in Baghdad with just five founding members. Since then, this intergovernmental body has become one of the most influential forces.OPEC makes up nearly 50% of all the world’s crude exports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration data. The member countries adjust their production levels to support oil prices or gain market share.Because crude oil is priced globally, even minor decisions made by OPEC can potentially influence larger trends in gasoline prices and inflation.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What Does OPEC Do?</h2>OPEC and its allies hold about 80% of the entire world’s oil reserves. Its dominant market share helps it set the floor for oil prices. It fixes output for a timeframe and asks members to make adjustments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when oil prices plunged due to a sudden drop in demand and a subsequent rise in storage levels, OPEC cut production by 10 million barrels per day, or 10% of the world’s crude supply, to support prices.Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as oil prices spiked, OPEC members reaped the windfalls. Subsequently, as supplies eased, the group once again curtailed output to support prices.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Many Countries Are There In OPEC?</h2>OPEC initially began with five countries: Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, to end the dominance of the so-called ‘seven sisters’ Western oil companies and support prices. Since then, the alliance has expanded to 12 members.These are 12 OPEC members:<ol><li>Iran</li><li>Iraq</li><li>Venezuela</li><li>Saudi Arabia</li><li>Kuwait</li><li>Algeria</li><li>Libya</li><li>Nigeria</li><li>Congo</li><li>Equatorial Guinea</li><li>Gabon</li><li>United Arab Emirates</li></ol>Some countries have also exited the organization due to disagreements and other issues. These include Qatar, Ecuador, and Angola.OPEC, whose headquarters have been in Vienna since 1965, is run by a board of governors that convenes the OPEC conference and drafts the annual budget. The board has representatives appointed by each member country and has an elected chair. OPEC also has a Secretariat, which includes research and energy studies divisions, and is headed by a secretary-general.OPEC established the OPEC+ coalition with 10 of the world's leading non-OPEC oil producers, including Russia, at the end of 2016.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How OPEC Influences Global Politics?</h2>OPEC’s global presence became hard to ignore in 1973, when the group imposed an oil embargo on the U.S. and other Western allies of Israel during the Arab–Israeli war, sending shockwaves through the global economy. Long lines formed at gas stations in the U.S., affecting livelihoods, and the embargo nearly sent the global economy into a recession.Decades later, the impact of elevated oil prices was once again felt in the U.S. following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and OPEC+ supply cuts. Inflation was a key issue in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, in which Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Does OPEC Still Hold Similar Powers?</h2>Despite maintaining a dominant market share, OPEC’s influence on oil markets has not remained constant throughout its existence. Following the turn of the millennium, developments in fracking technology led the U.S. to become the world’s largest oil producer, and it has maintained that top spot for years.Non-OPEC supplies, especially in places like Guyana in Latin America, have also affected the group’s ability to influence oil markets. A worldwide push toward renewable energy has also cast doubt on the future of this powerful organization.As multiple agencies have projected that oil demand will grow well into the next decade, OPEC and its allies would likely hold sway over the global economy.&nbsp;Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/macy-s-lifts-sales-profit-outlook-again-but-ceo-warns-holiday-shoppers-are-still-hesitant/cLIXqxxRE1B">Macy’s Lifts Sales, Profit Outlook Again – But CEO Warns Holiday Shoppers Are Still Hesitant</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

OPEC logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen for illustration photo. Krakow, Poland on February 2nd, 2023.

What Is OPEC And Why Do Its Decisions Matter?

OPEC’s exports account for nearly 50% of all the world’s crude exports, and the organization and its allies hold almost 80% of the world’s oil reserves.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>According to a Reuters report, Putin claimed that European powers were blocking U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the Ukraine war.</li><li>He also suggested that European countries had effectively sidelined themselves from any Ukraine peace talks by cutting off direct communication with Moscow.</li><li>Putin’s comments came ahead of his scheduled meeting with Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Moscow.</li></ul>Oil prices pared some of their earlier losses on Tuesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow is prepared to go to war with Europe if it seeks one, ahead of a meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.Benchmark Brent oil prices fell 0.4% to $62.92 per barrel, while WTI crude prices fell $0.21 to $59.12 per barrel, at the time of writing. Both contracts were down earlier, before rebounding a bit.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What Did Putin Say?</h2>According to a Reuters <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-that-if-europe-wants-war-then-russia-is-ready-2025-12-02/">report,</a> Putin claimed that European powers were blocking U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the Ukraine war. He argued that they put forward proposals they knew Moscow would never accept, so that they could later blame Russia for refusing to pursue peace.Putin’s comments came ahead of his scheduled meeting with Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Moscow. According to a leaked draft peace proposal last month, Ukraine could be forced to hand over large swathes of land and reduce the size of its army as per the Trump administration’s plan.He also suggested that European countries had effectively sidelined themselves from any Ukraine peace talks by cutting off direct communication with Moscow. "They are on the side of war," Putin said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Did Stocktwits Users React?</h2>Retail sentiment on Stocktwits about the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund</a> (USO) was in the ‘bullish’ territory at the time of writing, compared with ‘extremely bearish’ a month ago.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:716/90;" src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/USO_Dec_2_JPG_4428d84dd1.webp" alt="USO’s Sentiment Meter and Message Volume as of 11:37 p.m. ET on Dec. 2, 2025 | Source: Stocktwits" width="716" height="90"><figcaption>USO’s Sentiment Meter and Message Volume as of 11:37 p.m. ET on Dec. 2, 2025 | Source: Stocktwits</figcaption></figure>Geopolitical uncertainty has been providing support to oil prices amid concerns about oversupply. The OPEC+ oil producer group on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment not to change production levels in the first three months of 2026The International Energy Agency and major oil research agencies have predicted an oil market surplus in 2026 after OPEC+ brought back about three million barrels per day of oil production this year to gain market share. &nbsp;Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/boeing-stock-gains-after-cfo-projects-positive-free-cash-flow/cLIanH4REK7">Boeing Stock Gains After CFO Projects Positive Free Cash Flow, Higher Deliveries Next Year</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

An oil pump jack at a drilling site for oil, an oil field in Saskatchewan. 

Oil Prices Pare Losses After Putin Warns Europe About War

Benchmark Brent oil prices fell 0.4% to $62.92 per barrel, while WTI crude prices fell 21 cents to $59.12 per barrel, at the time of writing.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The area produces around 470,000 barrels per day, accounting for about 0.5% of the entire world’s oil supply.</li><li>Iraq's oil ministry on Monday invited several U.S. oil companies to bid for the West Qurna 2 stake.</li><li>The Iraqi government reportedly prefers Exxon as the bidder due to its expertise in handling large-scale projects.</li></ul>Exxon Mobil (XOM) has reportedly spoken with the Iraqi oil ministry to express its interest in acquiring Russian firm Lukoil's majority stake in the giant West Qurna 2 oilfield, one of the world's largest oil projects.According to a Reuters News report, citing Iraqi officials, Lukoil is looking to offload its international assets after the U.S. imposed sanctions on the Russian firm, as part of its ongoing efforts to put pressure on Moscow and bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Exxon will need the U.S. Treasury Department's approval before signing any deal.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Big Is The Oilfield?</h2>According to the <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/exxon-talks-with-iraq-about-buying-lukoil-stake-giant-west-qurna-2-oil-field-2025-12-02/">report</a>, Lukoil’s 75% stake in the West Qurna 2 oilfield is its largest foreign asset. The area produces around 470,000 barrels per day, accounting for about 0.5% of the world’s oil supply and 9% of Iraq's total output, the second-largest producer in OPEC after Saudi Arabia. A state-owned oil company holds the remaining 25% stake in the project.Iraq's oil ministry on Monday invited several U.S. oil companies to bid for the West Qurna 2 stake. The report added that the Iraqi government prefers Exxon as the bidder, considering its expertise in handling large-scale projects. If the deal is signed, Exxon could further bolster its position as the top Western oil producer, already averaging about 4.6 million barrels per day this year.Retail sentiment on Stocktwits about Exxon was in the ‘neutral’ territory at the time of writing, compared with ‘bearish’ a day ago.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Exxon’s Recent History In Iraq</h2>Despite being one of the first Western oil firms to be allowed into Iraq following the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s government, Exxon's operations in the West Asian country have often been marred by major political standoffs, security risks, and contractual disputes. Exxon sold its primary investment in the country, a stake in the West Qurna-1 oil field in southern Iraq, in January 2024.In October, Exxon signed a non-binding agreement with Iraq to help develop the Majnoon oilfield, located 60 km (37 miles) from Basra in southern Iraq.Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/bitcoin-price-steadies-at-86000-after-1b-liquidations-grayscale-sees-new-highs/cLIaL8eRE0j">Bitcoin’s Price Steadies At $86,000 After $1B Liquidations – Grayscale Sees New Highs In 2026</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

: A view shows the Tawke Oil Field operated by Norwegian oil and gas company DNO near the district of Zakho in Duhok, Iraq on September 26, 2025. 

Exxon In Talks To Acquire Lukoil’s Giant Iraq Oilfield Stake As Sanctions Force Russian Firm's Exit: Report

Lukoil is looking to offload its international assets after the U.S. imposed sanctions on the Russian firm, as per a Reuters report.

Exxon In Talks To Acquire Lukoil’s Giant Iraq Oilfield Stake As Sanctions Force Russian Firm's Exit

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) said on Saturday that a drone boat attack forced it to stop operations at its key Black Sea port terminal, Novorossiysk.</li><li>The CPC handles roughly 1% of the entire global crude supply.</li><li>U.S. President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Venezuela on Saturday, noting "the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela" should be considered closed.</li></ul>Oil prices gained on Monday after a Ukrainian assault on a key oil terminal in Russia and growing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela raised concerns over supply amid the OPEC+ decision to freeze output hikes.Benchmark Brent oil prices gained 1.8% to $63.50 per barrel, while WTI crude prices rose 1.9% to $59.64 per barrel, at the time of writing. Both benchmarks logged the fourth consecutive monthly decline last week, the worst run since 2023.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What’s Aiding Oil Prices?</h2>The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) said on Saturday that a drone boat attack forced it to stop operations at its key Black Sea port terminal, Novorossiysk. The CPC handles roughly 1% of the entire global crude supply. Ukraine has launched multiple assaults on Russian oil infrastructure to hit one of the key sources of revenue for the country's economy.According to a Reuters <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chevron-says-oil-loadings-continue-russias-black-sea-cpc-terminal-after-drone-2025-12-01/">report</a>, U.S. oil firm Chevron, a stakeholder in CPC, said on Sunday that loadings of its Tengizchevroil venture's crude oil were underway at the Russian port of Novorossiysk.U.S. President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Venezuela on Saturday, noting "the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela" should be considered closed. On Sunday, Trump confirmed that he spoke with Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro but did not give out any details.“These tensions have yet to have a direct impact on Venezuelan oil production and exports, but that risk is certainly on the rise,” said oil markets analyst Tim Evans of Evans on Energy.Retail sentiment on Stocktwits about the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund</a> was in the ‘bullish’ territory, compared with ‘extremely bearish’ a month ago. At the same time, traders were ‘extremely bullish’ about the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil fund.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What Did OPEC+ Do?</h2>Amid heightened uncertainty, the OPEC+ oil producer group on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment not to change production levels in the first three months of 2026, as it continues to grapple with oversupply concerns next year.The International Energy Agency and major oil research agencies have predicted an oil market surplus in 2026 after OPEC+ brought back about 3 million barrels per day of oil production this year to gain market share.Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/bitcoin-sinks-under-86000-after-its-worst-month-this-year/cLI77v6REiT">Bitcoin Sinks Under $86,000 After Its Worst Month This Year – Jim Cramer Blames Speculation For Market Pressure</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Why Are Oil Prices Rising Today?

Benchmark Brent oil prices gained 1.8% to $63.50 per barrel, while WTI crude prices rose 1.9% to $59.64 per barrel, at the time of writing.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Last week, the U.S. Treasury authorized interested buyers to begin discussions with Lukoil regarding its foreign holdings.</li><li>Carlyle is also reportedly pursuing parts of Lukoil’s portfolio valued at more than $20 billion.</li><li>Lukoil accounts for about 2% of global oil production.</li></ul>&nbsp;Chevron (CVX) is reportedly evaluating potential opportunities to acquire select overseas assets from Lukoil.According to a Reuters report, rather than seeking Lukoil’s entire global asset base, Chevron is considering only the operations that overlap with its existing business. Notably, Lukoil, along with another Russian energy giant, Rosneft, is currently under U.S. sanctions.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/CVX">CVX stock</a> was down 1.36% on Monday.In October, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, as part of the Donald Trump-led administration’s strategy to pressure Moscow into engaging in peace negotiations with Ukraine.Last week, the U.S. Treasury authorized interested buyers to begin discussions with Lukoil regarding its foreign holdings, opening the door for Chevron to join firms like Carlyle in pursuing parts of a portfolio valued at more than $20 billion.Chevron stated that it follows all applicable laws and regulations and does not comment on commercial discussions. Lukoil, which accounts for about 2% of global oil production, is seeking buyers for its overseas operations, assets that produce roughly 0.5% of global output and are valued at around $22 billion, according to 2024 filings.U.S. private equity firm Carlyle is also evaluating a potential purchase of Lukoil’s foreign holdings, according to the report. These assets include three European refineries, stakes in oilfields across countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Mexico, Ghana, Egypt, and Nigeria, and a large network of fuel stations worldwide, including some in the United States.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Did Stocktwits Users React?</h2>Retail sentiment on Stocktwits remained in the ‘bullish’ territory for the past 24 hours, accompanied by ‘high’ message volumes.Year-to-date, the stock has gained 6.8%.Read also: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/hims-and-hers-announces-new-250-million-share-repurchase-program/cLPkClxREeJ">Hims &amp; Hers Announces New $250 Million Share Repurchase Program – Retail Sees A Steady Trading Range For The Stock</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com

The Chevron logo appears on a smartphone screen in this illustration photo in Reno, United States, on January 5, 2025. (Photo by Jaque Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Chevron Weighs Acquisition Of Select Lukoil Assets After US Opens Door To Deal Talks: Report

According to a Reuters report, rather than seeking Lukoil’s entire global asset base, Chevron is considering only the operations that overlap with its existing business. 

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The Ukrainian attack took place on an oil depot in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.</li><li>According to a Bloomberg News report, Goldman analysts suggested that oil demand could rise to 113 million barrels per day in 2040, compared with 103.5 million in 2024.</li><li>Goldman reportedly attributed the roadblocks to low-carbon technology and infrastructure adoption, along with rising energy demand, to the updated outlook for fresh growth projections.</li></ul>Oil prices gained on Friday after Ukraine reportedly launched a drone attack on an oil depot in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.According to a Reuters News <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/ukrainian-drones-damage-ship-dwellings-oil-depot-russias-novorossiysk-2025-11-14/">report</a>, citing Russian officials, the attack took place early on Friday. Alongside the oil depot, it damaged apartment buildings, a ship in port, injuring three crew members of the vessel. Brent crude prices rose 1.4% to $63.90 per barrel at the time of writing, while West Texas Intermediate crude prices gained 90 cents, closing in on $60 per barrel.The attacks come amid fresh U.S. sanctions on Russian oil firms Lukoil and Rosneft, to cut Moscow’s lucrative oil revenue and put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to go to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine. The sanctions will prevent firms from doing business with the Russian companies after Nov. 21.<h2 class="st-heading-2">After IEA, Goldman Sachs Turns More Bullish</h2>Goldman Sachs analysts reportedly predicted global oil demand would rise for longer than previously estimated, following a report by the International Energy Agency that introduced a scenario in which oil demand would increase until 2050.According to a Bloomberg News <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-14/goldman-follows-iea-with-revised-bullish-outlook-on-oil-demand">report</a>, Goldman analysts suggested that oil demand could rise to 113 million barrels per day in 2040, compared with 103.5 million in 2024. Last year, the analysts predicted global oil demand would peak by 2034, but also flagged the potential for growth to top out six years later due to slow electric-vehicle adoption.Goldman reportedly attributed the roadblocks to low-carbon technology and infrastructure adoption, along with rising energy demand, to the updated outlook for fresh growth projections. The bank said petrochemicals will be a driver of oil consumption after a long plateau in road transport, with strong contributions from aviation.“We do not assume major breakthroughs in low-carbon technology,” Goldman’s analysts stated. “Even for peaking road oil demand, we expect a long plateau after 2030,” and trucks powered by liquefied natural gas are unlikely to take off outside of China, they added.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What Are Stocktwits Users Thinking?</h2>Retail sentiment on Stocktwits about the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund</a> was in the ‘bullish’ territory at the time of writing.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:794/97;" src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/USO_Nov_14_JPG_74359d8b91.webp" alt="USO’s Sentiment Meter and Message Volume as of 12:04 a.m. ET on Nov. 14, 2025 | Source: Stocktwits" width="794" height="97"><figcaption>USO’s Sentiment Meter and Message Volume as of 12:04 a.m. ET on Nov. 14, 2025 | Source: Stocktwits</figcaption></figure>Despite the positive signs of long-term demand, the IEA warned Thursday that the global oil market is heading toward a major oversupply in 2026, projecting a surplus of up to 4.09 million barrels per day as output from OPEC+ members and other producers continues to rise while demand growth weakens.Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/berkshire-hathaway-sells-yen-bonds-to-likely-purchase-stocks/cLPfUptREEi">Is Berkshire Hathaway Going To Throw More Money At Japanese Stocks? Here's What Its Latest Yen-Denominated Bond Sale Signals</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Oil Prices Gain After Ukrainian Attack On Russian Oil Depot — Goldman Sachs Grows More Bullish On Long-Term Demand

Brent crude prices rose 1.4% to $63.90 per barrel at the time of writing, while West Texas Intermediate crude prices gained 90 cents, closing in on $60 per barrel. 

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