The Chinese government’s move Wednesday to further roll back strict Covid-19 measures should boost the prospects for a host of Club holdings with substantial operations in China, including Estee Lauder (EL), Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and Starbucks ( SBUX), all of which have been weighed down by nearly three years of lockdowns. The news China’s National Health Commission on Wednesday said people will now be able to travel throughout the country without showing a negative Covid test or health code. The new rules also allow those with mild or asymptomatic Covid cases to quarantine at home, rather than at designated facilities. Additionally, local authorities will no longer be able halt work or production unless an area is designated as high-risk. Beijing’s decision to further ease public-health policies comes a little more than a week after protests erupted in China over the government’s draconian zero-Covid policy, an approach that has severely restricted citizens and pressured the world’s second-largest economy. China has taken minor steps in recent months to ease its Covid restrictions, but Wednesday’s announcement amounts to the most significant policy shift to date. Impact on Club stocks Club stocks with China exposure largely followed the broader market lower Wednesday amid a day of choppy trading in equity and energy markets, fueled by growing fears of a recession. But, ultimately, the holdings which rely on China for a substantial portion of revenue — Estee Lauder, Wynn and Starbucks — should see their stock prices ultimately move higher, as China’s economy reopens. For months, we have argued that China’s strict Covid stance was untenable over the long term and eventually a serious pivot toward reopening would materialize, providing much-needed clarity to businesses and helping spur economic activity. As a result, we’ve exercised patience and held onto stocks like Wynn Resorts, which depends heavily on its casinos in the Chinese special administrative region of Macao. At the same time, we also know stocks are forward-looking assets, and decided not to wait for Beijing to to fully roll back restrictions before investing in Estee Lauder, which relies on China for more than a third of total sales. In late September we bought back into the cosmetics giant, and still believe it’s worth buying here. Similar thinking informed our decision to initiate a position in Starbucks in late August . As Wednesday’s announcement likely helps China’s economy to recover, a number of other Club holdings should also see tailwinds. At a high level, our energy stocks — Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), Coterra Energy (CTRA), Devon Energy (DVN) and Halliburton (HAL) — benefit from elevated crude oil prices. And increased oil demand from the world’s No. 2 economy should ultimately lend support to crude, with knock-on effects for our oil stocks. Apple (APPL) is another potential beneficiary of China’s policy shift. The iPhone maker has faced Covid-related production hold-ups at facilities in China , warning as recently as November about a potential hit to sales. On Wednesday, Morgan Stanley lowered iPhone shipment expectations for the December quarter by 3 million units, after having trimmed forecasts by 6 million units last month, on the back of manufacturing disruptions in China. Chip designer Qualcomm (QCOM) also has warned about the impact of China’s Covid policy, saying that overall macroeconomic weakness in the country has weighed on smartphone demand. Increased economic activity in China could benefit Qualcomm down the road. An uptick in air travel in China could be good news for Club holding Honeywell International (HON) and its already strong aerospace business . The industrial firm makes parts for Boeing (BA) and European rival Airbus, both of which operate in the Chinese market. Honeywell also has a large commercial aerospace aftermarket business that has benefited from a recovery in international air traffic. China is Procter & Gamble ‘s (PG) second-largest market outside the U.S. and its been weighed down by Covid lockdowns. The maker of Olay skin care products and Gillette razors continues to bet on China, but management has said it needs consumer mobility to recover so long-term growth trends can resume. Bottom line China’s decision to further ease Covid protocols is positive and we expect further reopening measures to be enacted down the line. Of course, Beijing has not officially dropped its so-called zero-Covid stance, and it’s possible there could be temporary setbacks in response to a surge in cases. But Wednesday’s announcement, nonetheless, signals an important development for Club stocks with China exposure. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Although domestic travel in China continues to be jeopardized by Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, international flights have doubled since June.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Chinese government’s move Wednesday to further roll back strict Covid-19 measures should boost the prospects for a host of Club holdings with substantial operations in China, including Estee Lauder (EL), Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and Starbucks (SBUX), all of which have been weighed down by nearly three years of lockdowns.
On today’s hyped up hydrogen episode of Quick Charge, we look at some of the fuel’s recent failures and billion dollar bungles as the fuel cell crowd continues to lose the credibility race against a rapidly evolving battery electric market.
We’re taking a look at some of the recent hydrogen failures of 2025 – including nine-figure product cancellations in the US and Korea, a series of simultaneous bus failures in Poland, and European executives, experts, and economists calling for EU governments to ditch hydrogen and focus on the deployment of a more widespread electric trucking infrastructure.
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.
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Believe it or not, you can lease an EV for under $200 a month. New deals on models like the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 are hard to pass up this month.
Electric vehicles have been all over the news lately, with the Trump administration threatening to end federal incentives and introducing new tariffs that are expected to lead to higher prices.
On the positive side, new EV models are arriving, giving buyers more options and driving prices down. Many automakers reported record US electric car sales in the first three months of 2024.
GM remained the number two seller of EVs behind Tesla after sales doubled in Q1 2025. With the new Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs rolling out, Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is off to its best sales start since launching, with over 11,600 models sold in the first quarter.
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With the 2025 models rolling out and about 15 new EVs arriving this year, many automakers are introducing steep discounts to move vehicles off the lot.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited (Source: Hyundai)
EVs for lease for under $200 a month in April
Although the decade-old Nissan LEAF remains one of the most affordable this April at just $149 per month, there are a few EVs under $200 right now that are worth taking a look at.
The new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ might be the best EV deal this month, with leases as low as $199. Hyundai is currently promoting a 24-month lease deal with $3,999 due at signing.
Hyundai’s new 2025 IONIQ 5 Limited with a Tesla NACS port (Source: Hyundai)
Hyundai upgraded the electric SUV with a bigger battery for more range (now up to 318 miles), a sleek new look inside and out, and it now comes with an NACS port so you can charge it at Tesla Superchargers.
The offer is for the IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range, which has a driving range of up to 245 miles. For just $229 a month, you can snag the SE RWD model, which has a range of up to 318 miles and a more powerful (225 horsepower) electric motor. It’s also a 24-month lease with $3,999 due at signing.
To sweeten the deal, Hyundai is offering a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger with the purchase or lease of any 2024 or 2025 IONIQ 5. If you already have one, you can opt for a $400 public charging credit.
After slashing lease prices this month, the 2025 Nissan Ariya is actually cheaper than the LEAF in some regions. In Southern California, the 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD is listed at just $129 per month. The AWD model has a range of up to 272 miles.
The deal is for 36 months, with $4,409 due at signing. In April, Nissan cut Ariya lease prices to around $239 in most other parts of the country.
Kia has a few EVs available to lease for under $200 a month in April. The 2025 Kia Niro EV Wind is listed at just $129 for 24 months, with $3,999 due at signing. Kia’s crossover SUV has EPA-estimated range of 253 miles.
2024 Kia EV6 (Source: Kia)
The 2024 EV6 may be worth considering at just $179 for 24 months ($3,999 due at signing). In California, the EV6 Light Long Range RWD is only slightly more than the Niro Wind.
In most other parts of the country, you can still find the EV6 for under $200 a month. The Light Long Range RWD trim offers up to 310 miles of EPA-estimated range.
Lease Price
Term (months)
Amount Due at Signing
Driving Range
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range
$199
24
$3,999
245 miles
2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Rang RWD
$179
24
$3,999
310 miles
2024 Kia Niro EV Wind
$129
24
$3,999
253 miles
2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD
$129
36
$4,409
272 miles
2025 Nissan LEAF S FWD
$149
36
$2,629
149 miles
2024 Fiat 500 INSPI(RED)
$199
24
$2,999
149 miles
EVs for lease for under $200 a month in April 2025
And don’t forget the 2024 Fiat 500e, which is now listed at just $199 for 24 months with $2,999 due at signing. The electric hatchback offers a range of up to 149 miles.
Ready to snag the savings while they are still here? At under $200 a month, some of these EV lease deals are hard to pass up right now. Check out our links below to find deals in your area.
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Project Nexus, the first solar panel canopies over irrigation canals in the US, is now online in California, and there are plans to expand the project to other areas.
Project Nexus is a $20 million pilot in central California’s Turlock Irrigation District launched in October 2022. The project team is exploring solar over canal design, deployment, and co-benefits using canal infrastructure and the electrical grid.
India already has solar panels over canals, but Project Nexus is the first of its kind in the US.
The Turlock Irrigation District was the first irrigation district formed in California in 1887. It provides irrigation water to 4,700 growers who farm around 150,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley.
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Project Nexus will explore whether the solar panels reduce water evaporation as a result of midday shade and wind mitigation, create improvements to water quality through reduced vegetative growth, reduce canal maintenance as a result of reduced vegetative growth, and, of course, generate renewable electricity.
The California Department of Water Resources, utility company Turlock Irrigation District, Marin County, California-based water and energy project developer Solar AquaGrid, and The University of California, Merced, are partnering on the pilot. Project Nexus originated from a 2021 research project led by UC Merced alumna and project scientist Brandi McKuin.
Solar panels were installed at two sites over both wide- and narrow-span sections of Turlock Irrigation District canals in Stanislaus County, in various orientations. The sections range from 20 feet wide to 100 feet wide. University of California, Merced has positioned research equipment at both sites to collect baseline data so the researchers can decide where solar will work and where it won’t.
In February 2023, Project Nexus announced it would also deploy long-term iron flow battery storage in the form of two ESS 75kW turnkey “Energy Warehouse” batteries.
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