Oil ends lower, but notches a weekly gain, lifted by vaccine optimism

Oil futures end lower Friday, but notch for a weekly gain as investors appear to take their cue from the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. 


 
U.S. Oil-Rig Count Grows by 12 in Latest Week, Baker Hughes Says

The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. increased by 12 in the latest week to 258, according to oil-field services firm Baker Hughes. 


 
Oil's Recovery Is No Sure Thing

Vaccines have buoyed hopes that oil demand will soon recover, and the Brent global benchmark is back above $50 a barrel. But traders may be underestimating the responsiveness of U.S. supply. 


 
The New Green Energy Giants Challenging Exxon and BP

Three utilities that invested early in wind and solar power now rival major oil companies in market value. Can they continue to dominate as the world's shift to renewable energy accelerates? 


 
Investors Turn to SPACs for Clean-Energy Bets

Weary of poor shale returns, investors seek better results from startups focused on battery storage and other emerging technologies. 


 
The Dicey Economics of Investing in Fossil Fuels Now

Even before a pandemic sapped the world's thirst for crude, fossil-fuel producers faced threats from renewable energy, electric vehicles and worries about climate change. Is it time to strike, or slip away? 


 
Propane Supplier Ferrellgas to Place Parent Company in Bankruptcy

Propane supplier Ferrellgas Partners has reached a prearranged deal with bondholders for the holding company with no employees to file for bankruptcy while keeping its operations out of chapter 11. 


 
Energy & Utilities Roundup: Market Talk

The latest Market Talks covering Energy and Utilities 


 
Coal Miner Blackjewel Accuses Ex-CEO of Self-Dealing

Defunct coal company Blackjewel LLC, which left hundreds out-of-work when the business collapsed last year, has filed a lawsuit accusing its founder and former chief executive of using his position to enrich himself and his family members at the company's expense 


 
U.S. Oil and Fuel Inventories Climb Sharply

U.S. inventories of crude oil saw a huge increase last week while stockpiles of gasoline and other fuels also increased sharply, according to weekly data released Wednesday by the Energy Information Administration.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-14-20 0015ET