U.S. crude prices continued to fall Wednesday, settling below $70 per barrel for the first time since early July and at their lowest levels since June. That’s good news for the Federal Reserve in its battle against inflation. While the impact on oil and natural gas stocks has not been as cheery, companies across many other industries stand to gain. At session lows, West Texas Intermediate crude dropped more than 4% Wednesday afternoon to just over $69 a barrel. The U.S. oil benchmark has been drifting lower since late September when WTI settled at its highest levels of the year — at nearly $94 per barrel. Energy , meanwhile, has been the only sector in the S & P 500 in the red since the fourth quarter began Oct. 1 — down about 10.7% compared with the broad market index’s 6% advance. Our only remaining oil and nat gas holding, Coterra Energy (CTRA), has also struggled — losing more than 8% quarter to date, including Wednesday’s more than 2% drop. However, more than two-thirds of our stock portfolio has been higher so far in the fourth quarter. “Oil is the key to this market. If it doesn’t hold $70, I don’t know where the thing goes,” Jim Cramer said earlier Wednesday. “But, boy, is it going the way of the Fed.” In its effort to cool inflation, the central bank has been tightening monetary policy since late 2021 and began aggressively raising interest rates in March 2022. Since then, the fed funds overnight bank lending rate has risen from near-zero to the current range between 5.25% and 5.5%. In early 2023, lower year-over-year oil prices helped slow the rate of consumer inflation, which reached its Covid-era peak at 9.1% in June 2022 . But, as oil climbed higher in the summer and into late September, concerns mounted that crude was once again becoming a thorn in the Fed’s side. With recent data pointing to cooling inflation, including falling energy prices, the market is trying to decide if the Fed’s rate-hiking cycle is done. The odds favor a rate cut as early as the Fed’s policy meeting in March, according to the CME FedWatch tool . @CL.1 YTD mountain The year-to-date performance of West Texas Intermediate crude futures. Oil impacts inflation data in more than just the gasoline prices paid by consumers at the pump. It also figures into corporate transportation and freight costs. If those input costs stay consistently higher, companies may choose to raise prices on the goods they’re making and shipping to protect profit margins. That will eventually show up in inflation readings — and, in theory, require the Fed to keep making policy decisions designed to slow the U.S. economy. The other side of the coin is that lower oil prices can be a boon to both consumers and companies, including those in Jim’s Charitable Trust, the portfolio we use for the Club. The less money people need to spend to fill up their gas tanks, the more cash they have available to spend on other goods and services — a positive for the economy. Similarly, lower fuel costs can help cushion companies’ profit margins — a positive for their investors and the stock market, more broadly. To be sure, falling crude prices can be worrisome if the decline is tied to a dramatic slowdown in economic activity. In a recession, demand would weaken for not just oil, but many other products sold by companies, too. The current picture on this point is not exactly black and white. For starters, oil production in the U.S. has been hovering around record levels , leading to a robust supply landscape even after oil cartel OPEC+’s latest production-reduction effort in an attempt to shore up prices. There are some fears about demand in China, the world’s second-largest economy. Economic activity in the U.S. also is slowing, but so far not in a manner that is troubling or suggests a severe recession is around the corner. To date, consumer spending and employment data have remained relatively resilient, while inflation is gradually cooling and oil prices are retreating. It’s possible upcoming economic reports could begin to scramble this picture — starting with Friday’s November jobs report — and eventually prompt us to read the oil market differently. At this point, the weakness in crude prices is a win for the Fed and large swaths of the Club’s portfolio, particularly a company like Amazon (AMZN) that benefits when consumers have more money to spend on its online marketplace and when its costs to deliver those products come down. It’s also led investors to sell Coterra Energy’s stock. Lower oil prices will hinder Coterra’s free cash flow , which the company returns to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividend payouts. Those are key reasons investors, including us, own the stock. We’re hardly panicking, though. In fact, we used Wednesday’s declines to add to our position in Coterra , which now holds a roughly 2% weighting in our portfolio. The fact that Coterra has fallen out of favor is precisely why we want to buy. Coterra, which has significant oil and natural gas exposure, can make plenty of money at current commodity prices. Plus, the company has done a commendable job managing its expenses this year — and encouragingly, expects to see service cost deflation in 2024. In other words, Coterra is controlling what it can. The price of oil is not one of those things. (Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust is long CTRA and AMZN. 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.
An oil rig in front of a sunset
Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images
U.S. crude prices continued to fall Wednesday, settling below $70 per barrel for the first time since early July and at their lowest levels since June. That’s good news for the Federal Reserve in its battle against inflation. While the impact on oil and natural gas stocks has not been as cheery, companies across many other industries stand to gain.
InMotion, a well-known brand in the world of personal electric mobility, has officially launched its latest electric unicycle, the InMotion V9. Combining advanced technology and new safety features, the V9’s design positions this electric unicycle as a key option for urban commuters and adventure seekers alike who want good performance without spending a fortune.
Believe it or not, the electric unicycle market is quite broad. There are dozens of interesting models, offering everything from slow, beginner-friendly wheels to massively powerful and scary fast off-road electric unicycles (EUCs).
The new InMotion V9 launches as something of an in-between wheel, providing enough power and speed to keep it fun and interesting, yet without going so over-the-top that it becomes unaffordable or unapproachable by newer riders.
Priced at $1,299, the InMotion V9 is powered by a 1,000W motor that can reach peak outputs of 2,000W. This setup delivers a top speed of around 28 mph (45 km/h), positioning it well for urban streets and bike lanes, two of the most common stomping grounds for EUCs.
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Range anxiety isn’t just a concern for cars; it can also affect micromobility riders. For its part, InMotion gave the V9 a fairly hefty 84V and 750Wh battery. This capacity allows the V9 to achieve up to 37 miles (60 km) per charge under optimal conditions. The UL-listed battery charges fairly quickly, reaching full capacity in approximately five hours.
One key feature of the V9 not found on most beginner-friendly wheels is its Nimbus Air suspension system, which provides 60 mm of travel to enhance rider comfort and reduce fatigue on uneven surfaces.
The included suspension is even more notable considering the V9 is currently InMotion’s lightest suspension-equipped electric unicycle, weighing around 48.5 lbs (22 kg). And speaking of weight, the EUC can support riders weighing up to 265 lbs (120 kg).
The InMotion V9 doesn’t skimp on smart features, either. Its integrated GPS tracking enables owners to remotely locate and monitor their unicycle via InMotion’s mobile app, even when powered off. Remote locking functionality further enhances security, ensuring peace of mind for riders frequently leaving their wheel unattended.
Additional smart integrations include customizable RGB side accent lights and built-in Bluetooth speakers, allowing riders to personalize their ride and stay entertained while commuting – or just keep cars and other road users more aware of their presence. The V9 also includes USB-A and USB-C ports with 20W output to ensure riders can conveniently charge their mobile devices while on the go.
Safety is always paramount in electric transportation devices, especially those that come with their own unique concerns like electric unicycles. The V9 has TÜV Rheinland UL2272 certification and “advanced fire-resistant technology” to mitigate risks further.
The InMotion V9 is now available for purchase through local InMotion dealers and via the official InMotion online store.
I don’t cover electric unicycles as often as e-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices, but not because they are less deserving. They’re certainly more niche, but I know that the EUC community is adamant about their advantages. And listen, I get it. They’re small and convenient to park or store inside, they don’t require much maintenance at all, and they’re pretty fun after you get the hang of them. An EUC can be intimidating at first, but once it clicks in your brain after a few learning sessions, riding one is a blast!
With the electric unicycle market continuing to gain traction, InMotion still faces competition from other premium brands. However, the V9’s comprehensive package of comfort, safety, and advanced smart features, combined with its competitive price point, should place it pretty well in the crowded landscape of personal electric transportation.
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Fremont, California-based Delta Electronics just rolled out a sleek new 50kW DC Wallbox charger that’s designed for tight spaces at ACT Expo 2025.
This charger packs a punch in a surprisingly slim, 10-inch-thick, and lightweight (just 225 pounds!) casing that can be wall-mounted or set up on a pedestal. It’s specifically designed for tight spaces like urban parking lots, busy corporate campuses, or crowded fleet operation hubs.
Delta plans to manufacture these 50kW DC Wallbox chargers in Plano, Texas, keeping it local and supporting the rapid EV infrastructure growth across North America.
A 50 kW charger is at the low end of Level 3 fast charging speed, because you don’t always need to charge your car in 25 minutes. It’s the ideal charging speed for shopping, lunch, or seeing a film. Eng Taing, Delta’s senior VP and GM of energy & telecom Infrastructure, says, “Our focus is on seamlessly integrating high efficiency charging into the diverse scenarios of everyday life, including commercial operations, not just maximizing power output.”
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With a 97% efficiency rate, the Wallbox can juice up two EVs simultaneously using either CCS1 or NACS connectors. Plus, the 23-foot cable makes it easy to accommodate nearly any parking layout, eliminating headaches during installation.
Delta’s vertical integration approach means it handles everything from design to manufacturing. But it doesn’t stop at hardware; the charger also connects to Delta’s IoT platform, offering remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and over-the-air updates. That hopefully means fewer disruptions and smoother operations for fleet managers and EV users.
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More car buyers are hunting for used EVs – CarMax says searches filtered by “electric vehicle” have nearly doubled since January 2022.
CarMax saw EV searches surge in March 2022 and again in June 2024. The first spike lined up with the gas price shock after Russia invaded Ukraine, and the second came right as the Biden administration rolled out its $4,000 federal tax credit for used EVs.
The online used car marketplace’s Spring 2025 Electric Vehicle Consumer Report shows just how far used EV prices have tumbled, down over 40% between January 2022 and February 2025. By comparison, prices for gas cars, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids only slipped about 12% over the same period.
The top 10 most popular used EVs
For the third year running, the Tesla Model 3 and the Model Y were in the No. 1 and No. 2 slots, respectively, from September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. The Chevy Bolt jumped into third place from its previous spot at No. 7 in 2024 and 2023. The Ford F-150 Lightning (7) and the Rivian R1T (10) made the top 10 for the first time, while the Tesla Model S and the Audi e-tron dropped out. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Nissan Leaf were at Nos. 5 and 6, and the Volkswagen ID.4 (4), Nissan LEAF (6), and the Ford Mustang Mach-E (9) made the list for the third year in a row.
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What people are trading in
For the first time ever, more people are ditching sedans and coupes for EVs than SUVs. CarMax says sedans and coupes made up 44% of all EV trade-ins, up from 36% in 2024 and just 29% the year before. It’s a clear sign that the EV switch is picking up speed across more than just SUV drivers.
When customers traded in sedans for EVs during this report’s measurement period, the most common EVs they purchased were the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, and Chevy Bolt EUV.
The top traded-in model for an EV at CarMax was the Tesla Model 3, and those who traded in a Model 3 usually went for a Model Y. The rest of the top five include the Honda Civic and Accord, the Nissan LEAF, and the Toyota Prius. The Ford F-150 truck, the top trade-in alongside the Accord in the 2024 report, dropped off the list.
Where used EVs are most popular
Since this is CarMax’s report, it’s of course based on data sourced from its 250 stores across the US. In 2025, Oregon beat California to become the state with the highest percentage of EV sales compared to each state’s total sales at CarMax. California has previously held the top ranking since 2023.
The West Coast continued to dominate when it came to used EV sales. California and Washington were in second and third place, respectively. Nevada and Arizona were fourth and sixth, while Utah and New Mexico (new to the top 10 list this year) held spots five and seven. On the East Coast, New York (10) appeared on the list for a second time, dropping two spots from No. 8 in 2024.
The newcomers include Minnesota, which jumped 24 spots in a year to No. 8, and New Jersey, which moved up six slots to No. 9.
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get startedhere. –trusted affiliate link*
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