Oil and natural gas prices traveled divergent paths this week, resulting in a mixed picture for the Club stocks Coterra Energy (CTRA) and Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD). Fresh off robust third-quarter gains, crude has tumbled in recent days, sending the U.S. oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate and global oil standard Brent prices to their lowest levels since late August. Both WTI and Brent are on pace for their worst weeks since March on emergent concerns about demand for oil products. WTI dropped 2% on Thursday to settle at $82.31 a barrel. Brent also fell 2%, settling at $84.07 a barrel. On Friday, they bounced — coming off modest earlier declines after the government released much stronger-than-expected September job growth. WTI vs. nat gas this week @CL.1 @NG.1 mountain 2023-09-29 WTI and nat gas since Sept. 29 settle Meanwhile, the rally in natural gas has picked up steam, pushing the commodity to prices not seen since January, at over $3 per million British thermal units, or MMBtu. In Thursday’s session alone, natural gas prices jumped nearly 7%, as traders reacted to U.S. government data that showed a smaller-than-expected storage build. Traders also continue to monitor weather forecasts in search of clues about future demand heading into the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. For the week, through Thursday’s settle, natural gas has climbed 8.1%, building on last week’s 11% advance. Natural gas on Friday morning jumped another 1.5%. In the oil market, a switch has seemingly been flipped. WTI and Brent rose more than 28% and 27%, respectively, in the third quarter, as major oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia cut production at a time when economic activity — and by extension demand for crude – proved more resilient than expected. Now, the market is grappling with the idea that demand might be waning. Those concerns were amplified by U.S. government data Wednesday that indicated gasoline inventories in the week ended Sept. 29 grew by 6.48 million barrels, a much higher increase than expected. WTI and Brent each plunged by 5.6% in Wednesday’s session. For the week, with one trading day to go, WTI and Brent sank more than 9% and nearly 12%, respectively. “The single biggest element of the global oil market is U.S. gasoline. We consume not far off 1 in 10 barrels just in U.S. cars,” veteran energy analyst Paul Sankey said Thursday on CNBC. “When it’s as weak as it came in [Wednesday] and it already been weak the week before, it becomes a major problem in the global oil market.” The magnitude of the sell-off, Sankey said, is linked to the traders who had been rushing into crude during its summertime ascent that continued into September , raising the specter of $100 per barrel oil . Brent traded as high as $97.69 a barrel on Sept. 28 while WTI reached $95.03 on the same day. Recent data has traders looking to reduce their risk, Sankey said. “The speculative interest before this run was very low,” he said. “Our view was that our shot at $100 was that speculators would pile in. The problem is … risk-off turned into [really} risk-off, and that became the speculators running for the exits again.” Some analysts see the oil swoon as temporary. In a note to clients Thursday, Goldman Sachs said the reasons for the declines — which in addition to gasoline demand concerns also include recession fears in 2024 and technical factors — “will prove to be transitory.” The firm said it still believes Brent crude can reach $100 a barrel by the spring. The recent decline in crude has hurt energy stocks including Pioneer and Coterra. Of the 11 sectors in the S & P 500 , energy has been by far the worst weekly performer through Thursday, falling nearly 6%. The broad S & P 500 index was down 0.7% over the past four sessions. Shares of Pioneer have retreated 6.4% over the same stretch, closing at $214.96 each Thursday. However, Pioneer’s weekly losses will be erased if the stock’s premarket surge of 10% holds. Friday’s spike higher came after The Wall Street Journal reported Exxon Mobil (XOM) was in advanced talks to acquire the Club holding. In April, the newspaper reported Exon held “informal” discussions on Pioneer. Pioneer vs. Coterra this week PXD CTRA mountain 2023-09-29 Pioneer vs. Coterra since Sept. 29 close Coterra held up better this week through Thursday, with the stock falling 3.5%, to $26.11 per share. The stock was little changed in Friday’s premarket. The relative outperformance in Coterra is likely tied to its significant natural gas exposure, compared with Pioneer and exploration-and-production (E & P) peers such as Diamondback Energy (FANG) and former Club holding Devon Energy (DVN). Coterra’s revenues are roughly a 50-50 split between oil and natural gas. On Monday, when we bought 200 more shares of Coterra, we argued its stock did not adequately reflect the appreciation in natural gas prices. Now, the stock has slipped a bit lower than where we bought while natural gas has climbed higher. (Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust is long PXD and CTRA. See here for a full list of the stocks.) 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.
Oil prices eased in Asian as concerns over slow demand from top crude importer China grew after bearish trade and inflation data, outweighing fears over tighter supply arising from output cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Zevtron, ParkMobile, and Athena Partners Strategy Group are together supporting charging site owners and EV drivers affected by Shell Recharge’s shutdown of its EV charger software.
Shell Recharge is discontinuing its Shell Sky software in third-party commercial EV chargers in the US and Canada. It will service third-party commercial fleet EV chargers until April 30; after that, it’s lights out, leaving hundreds of EV charging stations across the US inoperable.
Zevtron, ParkMobile, and Athena Partners Strategy Group is deploying Zevtron’s white-label EV charging software across the former Shell Recharge network to restore full operational capacity to these chargers.
“Shell’s exit has left hundreds of chargers effectively stranded,” said Chris Mckenty, SVP of sales & marketing at Zevtron. “Our goal is to rapidly restore these stations to full functionality while enhancing their capabilities with flexible branding, seamless payment options, and improved management tools.”
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ParkMobile will extend its capabilities to process EV charging sessions so users can both park and charge. “Integrating EV charging parking sessions into ParkMobile simplifies access for millions of drivers who already rely on our platform,” said Andy Harman, vice president of sales at ParkMobile.
Athena Partners Strategy Group will work closely with cities, businesses, and property owners to deploy the new solution efficiently. “We see this as a major opportunity to not only restore EV charging infrastructure but also improve it for the long term,” said Nick Stanton, managing partner of Athena Partners Strategy Group.
The partnership says it’s a “turnkey solution to ensure uninterrupted service, enhanced user experience, and improved revenue potential.”
For more information on transitioning Shell Recharge EV chargers to the Zevtron-powered network, contact Chris Mckenty at cmckenty@zevtron.com
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The Volkswagen ID.4 was the third best-selling EV in the US last month, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Volkswagen’s electric SUV made a comeback after sales surged over 650% in January.
Volkswagen ID.4 was the third best-selling EV in January
Although ID.4 sales fell by 55% last year after Volkswagen halted production and deliveries in September due to a recall over faulty door handles, the EV made a triumphant return in 2025.
Volkswagen sold 4,979 ID.4’s in the US last month, up 653% from January 2024. To put it in perspective, VW only sold 646 ID.4 models in the fourth quarter and just over 17,000 in 2024. At this rate, ID.4 sales are on pace to reach nearly 60,000 by the end of 2025.
According to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor report, the ID.4 was the third best-selling EV in the US last month, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
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The Honda Prologue and Tesla Cybertruck rounded out the top five. Combined, the top five selling EV models accounted for 54% of total sales in the US last month.
Rank
Model
1.
Tesla Model Y
2.
Tesla Model 3
3.
Volkswagen ID.4
4.
Tesla Cybertruck
5.
Honda Prologue
Top-selling EVs in the US in January 2025 (Cox Automotive)
Over 102,200 electric vehicles were sold in the US in January, up nearly 30% from January 2024. Although sales were down from the record 132,392 sold in December 2024, a drop was expected over typical seasonal trends.
Tesla doesn’t provide a breakdown of US sales, so we will not know exact sales numbers until registration data is released.
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Honda’s electric SUV continues to take the market by storm, with 3,744 Prologues sold in January. After delivering the first models last March, the Honda Prologue became the seventh best-selling EV in the US last year, with over 33,000 models sold.
Volkswagen announced the ID.4 was back on sale last month, with the “aim of re-instating the ID.4 to its prior position as one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the US and Canada.” It looks like it’s happening quicker than expected.
Volkswagen ID.4 (Source: Volkswagen)
The new entry-level 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 RWD Pro model starts at $45,095, while the AWD Pro costs $48,995. Both are powered by an 82 kWh battery. Volkswagen said the 62 kWh battery will be available later this year. The larger battery provides an EPA-estimated range of up to 291 miles.
VW’s base models feature a gloss black grille, black roof rails, and a 12.9″ infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The AWD version has 20″ wheels, a heated windshield, and a tow hitch.
Volkswagen ID.4 interior (Source: Volkswagen)
The ID.4 Pro S RWD starts at $50,195, and the AWD model has a sticker price of $54,095. It gets an added illuminated VW logo at the front and rear, premium LED projector headlights, a panoramic fixed glass roof, power tailgate, and more.
Volkswagen’s range-topping 2025 ID.4 Pro S Plus is only available in AWD and starts at $57,295. The Plus trim features 21-inch wheels, added exterior design elements, heated rear seats, a premium Harman Kardon audio system, and an Area View (an overhead view camera).
Both electric SUVs feature some of the biggest discounts on the market right now. To make room for 2025 models, VW is offering close-out prices on the 2024 ID.4, with leases starting as low as $189 per month. However, the Honda Prologue is hard to pass up, starting at just $209 per month. Ready to check them out for yourself? You can use our links below to find deals on the Volkswagen ID.4 and Honda Prologue in your area today.
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Rivian (RIVN) shares hit a new yearly low on Monday, dropping nearly 10%. Despite achieving its first gross profit in Q4, Rivian’s stock is taking a beating due to mixed analyst opinions. Here’s what they’re saying.
Last week, Rivian released its fourth quarter 2024 earnings, announcing a gross profit of $170 million. Although still a relatively small number, it’s a massive $776 million improvement from Q4 2023 and Rivian’s first positive gross profit.
After shutting down its manufacturing plant in Normal, IL, last April for upgrades and launching its second-generation R1 vehicles, CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is seeing “meaningful” cost reductions.
“This quarter, we achieved positive gross profit and removed $31,000 in automotive cost of goods sold per vehicle delivered in Q4 2024 relative to Q4 2023,” Scaringe explained last week after releasing fourth-quarter earnings.
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Rivian built 49,476 vehicles last year and delivered 51,579. In 2025, the company expects slightly fewer deliveries, projecting between 46,000 and 51,000 due to external factors, including changing government policies. It also expects lower EDV deliveries for Amazon after higher output in Q4.
Q1 2024
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
Full-Year 2024
2025 guidance
Deliveries
13,588
13,790
10,018
14,183
51,579
46,000 – 51,000
Production
13,980
9,612
13,157
12,727
49,476
N/A
Rivian EV deliveries and production by quarter in 2024
Some Wall St analysts are also concerned about policy changes under the Trump Administration. On Monday, Bank of America analysts downgraded Rivian stock to an Underperform rating from Neutral following its Q4 results.
The analysts also cut Rivian’s stock price target to $10 from $13, saying the 2025 delivery forecast was “softer than expected” and “there could be more downside risk if policy changes are enacted.”
Production at Rivian’s Normal, IL plant (Source: Rivian)
Rivian stock hit with a downgrade after Q4 earnings
Bank of America warned that new competition from Lucid (LCID), GM’s Chevy, and VW’s Scout could impact sales projections over the next few years.
Meanwhile, the memo did say Rivian is still “one of the most viable” EV startups and the joint venture with Volkswagen is “complicating earnings forecasts for at least the next four years” for forecasting. Rivian finalized its EV joint venture with VW in the fourth quarter, worth up to $5.8 billion, of which Rivian will get $3.5 billion over the next few years.
Rivian’s next-gen R2, R3, and R3X (Source: Rivian)
Part of Rivian’s lower 2025 delivery forecast is due to plant upgrades coming at the end of the year for its more affordable R2 SUV. Starting at $45,000, the R2 will be nearly half the cost of the current R1S and R1T.
Rivian plans to begin R2 production early next year in Normal but expects output to significantly ramp up at its new EV plant in Georgia.
Rivian EV production plans (Source: Rivian)
Despite closing on its loan agreement for the US DOE for up to $6.6 billion last month, the funding is up in the air with Trump threatening to freeze federal loans.
“Given the Trump Administration’s focus on cost-cutting, we believe there could be a risk to RIVN’s $6.6 billion Department of Energy loan closed by the Biden Administration on Jan 16,” Bank of America analysts said.
Rivian (RIVN) stock chart February 2024 through February 2025 (Source: TradingView)
Despite the downgrade, several analysts upgraded the stock. Needham raised its price target from $14 to $17, while Wells Fargo bumped theirs up to $14 from $11 with an “Equal-Weight” rating.
Rivian’s stock was down over 8% on Monday following the downgrade. At around $11.90, however, Rivian shares are still up 11% over the past year.
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