Friday, May 23, 2025

Worth Re-Posting -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48671HAMAS.

From x, link here

The full article, the original article, link here. The lede:

DUBAI—The Israeli airstrike that targeted Hamas’s Gaza chief this month hit him as he attended a meeting of the group’s highest ranking militants, killing several important operatives and leaving a void in its top leadership, Hamas and Arab officials said.
The airstrike killed Mohammed Sinwar, who was quietly buried days later, along with other top militants including Mohammad Shabana, the commander of the group’s Rafah brigade, the officials said.
The leaders of the U.S.-designated terrorist group had gathered in a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to discuss matters including their approach to cease-fire talks with Israel when they were hit, the officials said.
The meeting went against Hamas’s wartime security protocols and created an opening for Israel to hit several high-value targets at once.
Sinwar became the de facto head of Hamas in Gaza after Israel in October killed his brother Yahya Sinwar, who was the mastermind behind the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. Israel has also killed the leader of Hamas’s military wing, Mohammed Deif, his deputy Marwan Issa, and many other top militants.

Something To Think About -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48670MARKET.

Link here.

**********************************
Disclaimer
Brief Reminder 

 Briefly:

  • I am inappropriately exuberant about the Bakken and I am often well out front of my headlights. I am often appropriately accused of hyperbole when it comes to the Bakken.
  • I am inappropriately exuberant about the US economy and the US market.
  • I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Apple. 
  • See disclaimer. This is not an investment site. 
  • Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here. All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If something appears wrong, it probably is. Feel free to fact check everything.
  • If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them. 
  • Reminder: I am inappropriately exuberant about the Bakken, US economy, and the US market.
  • I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Apple. 
  • And now, Nvidia, also. I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Nvidia. Nvidia is a metonym for AI and/or the sixth industrial revolution.
  • I've now added Broadcom to the disclaimer. I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Broadcom.
  • I've now added Oracle to the disclaimer. I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Oracle.
  • Longer version here.  

Something To Think About -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48669TECH.

Tag: remote control controls

Staggering -- NVDA -- Earnings -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48668NVIDIA.

 Updates

August 14, 2025:

  • currently, Blackwell architecture;
  • coming, 2025: Rubin.

May 24, 2025: link here.

May 24, 2025: analysts' expectations, Investopedia.

Analysts on average expect Nvidia to report: 

  • quarterly revenue of $43.38 billion, 66% higher year-over-year; and,
  • adjusted net income of $21.29 billion, or 87 cents per share, up from $15.24 billion, or 61 cents per share, a year earlier.

Original Post


****************************************
Previously Posted

Locator: 48478NVDA.

All about tech, right now. 

Most important: AAPL, NVID, CRM.

Apple (AAPL) news here. (pending)

Over on twitter: Evan, Giovanni Staunovo, and EconomyApp.

Start here

First two charts, Nvidia, link here:

  • 2Q25: look at those incredible margins and other data points, from left to right:
    • largest revenue center, "Data Center": $26.3 billion; grew 16% q/q
    • revenue: $30.08 billion; grew 15% q/q
    • gross profit: $22.6 billion; grew 3pp q/q; 75% margin;
    • operating profit: $18.6billion; grew 3pp q/q; 62% margin;
    • net profit: $16.6 billion; grew 2pp q/q; 55% margin;

From yesterday:

  • 1Q25: look at those incredible margins and other data points, from left to right:
    • largest revenue center, "Data Center": $22.6 billion; grew 23% q/q
    • revenue: $26.08 billion; grew 18% q/q
    • gross profit: $20.4 billion; grew 2pp q/q; 78% margin;
    • operating profit: $16.9 billion; grew 3pp q/q; 65% margin;
    • net profit: $14.9 billion; grew 2pp q/q; 75% margin;

Salesforce, link here: 

  • 2Q25: compare CRM margins below with NVDA margins above (spoiler alert: there's simply no comparison) and other data points, from left to right:
    • subscription and support: $8.8 billion; grew 9% y/y;
      • five revenue centers: each $1 billion to $2 billion; each grew about 10% y/y;
    • revenue: $9.3 billion; grew 8% q/q
    • gross profit: $7.2 billion; grew 1pp q/q; 77% margin;
    • operating profit: $1.88 billion; grew 2pp q/q; 19% margin;
    • net profit: $1.4 billion; grew 1pp q/q; 15% margin;

Now, conventional comparison, CRM vs NVDA:

CRM, p/e = 46.54

NVDA, forward p/e = 40; current p/e = 74:

NVDA vs CRM

Summary of Nvidia's Earnings Call 

Link here.

Positives: - Record Revenue Growth: NVIDIA reported a record revenue of $30 billion for Q2, a 15% sequential increase and a remarkable 122% year-on-year growth, significantly surpassing the expected $28 billion. - Strong Data Center Performance: Data Center revenue reached $26.3 billion, up 16% sequentially and 154% year-on-year, driven by robust demand for NVIDIA's Hopper architecture and networking platforms, particularly in generative AI applications. - Innovative Product Pipeline: The anticipation for the upcoming Blackwell platform is high, with expectations of several billion dollars in revenue from Blackwell in Q4. The platform promises significant improvements in performance and efficiency. - Diverse Customer Base: NVIDIA's customer base is expanding, with strong demand from cloud service providers, consumer internet companies, and enterprises across various sectors, including healthcare and automotive. - Growing Software Revenue: NVIDIA's AI Enterprise platform is gaining traction, with expectations to approach a $2 billion annual run rate by year-end, indicating strong growth in software and services.

Negatives: - Gross Margin Pressure: Gross margins decreased slightly due to a higher mix of new products and inventory provisions for low-yielding Blackwell materials, with expectations of continued pressure as new products ramp up. - Competitive Market in China: While Data Center revenue in China grew, the market remains competitive, and NVIDIA faces challenges due to export controls affecting its operations in the region. - Increased Operating Expenses: Operating expenses are expected to grow in the mid- to upper 40% range as NVIDIA invests in developing next-generation products, which may impact profitability in the short term. - Transition Challenges: The shift from Hopper to Blackwell may present challenges in terms of customer readiness and integration, particularly with the adoption of liquid cooling technologies.  

Overall: NVIDIA's earnings call highlighted strong financial performance and growth prospects driven by innovation in AI and accelerated computing, while also acknowledging challenges related to margins and competitive pressures.

***********************************
Disclaimer
Briefly Reminder 

  • I am inappropriately exuberant about the US economy and the US market.
  • I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Apple. 
  • See disclaimer. This is not an investment site. 
  • Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here. All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them. 
  • Reminder: I am inappropriately exuberant about the US economy and the US market.
  • I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Apple. 
  • And now, Nvidia, also. I am also inappropriately exuberant about all things Nvidia. 

 *******************************
Nvidia's 2Q Revenue and Net Income For Every 2Q Since Going Public

Link here.

The link has revenue and income data going all the way back to 1999. I will post only income data for past few years:

Net income:

Spain's Blackout -- Is This The Reason? May 23, 2025

Locator: 48667SPAIN.

Link here.

Grok: Best Bakken Blog For News On Confidential Wells Being Released --- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48666GROK.

From GROK: ask "GROK" anything.

Geoff Simon's Quick Connects -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48665SIMON.

Geoff Simon's Quick Connects.

North Dakota oil producers plan to drop rigs, crews due to weaker prices -- Reuters

Enhanced oil recovery methods could extend the life of the Bakken -- KFYR-TV

Federal cash on hold for some North Dakota energy research -- Bismarck Tribune

Director's Cut shows North Dakota's production saw increase in March -- KFYR - TV

New initiative poised to change carbon credit industry, increase revenue to farmers -- Minot Daily News

As international relations continue to take shape, Ron Ness sees exports increasing -- KFYR - TV

Future of North Dakota drilling facing uncertainty amid pricing fluctuation -- McKenzie County Farmer

Continental accuses Hess of $69 million fraud scheme with North Dakota wells -- Upstream Online

Denbury reports produced water, crude oil spill reported near Rhame; affects rangeland -- KX News

BLM seeks input for October 2025 sale of oil and gas leases in North Dakota -- BLM News Release

Oil spill drill tests North Dakota crews; deployed containment booms to practice -- Dickinson Press

Federal pipeline override provision removed from budget reconciliation bill -- North Dakota Monitor

New property tax caps are a mandate for better local gov't, irresponsible growth less likely -- InForum

North Dakota Legislature puts three ballot measures before voters in 2026 -- North Dakota Monitor

New tribal national park in ND aims to preserve rugged and scenic landscape -- Bismarck Tribune

Airports around ND had record-high numbers of passengers for 11th consecutive month -- KFYR - TV

North Dakota is reporting a drop in the state's unemployment rate for the month of April -- WDAY

Congresswoman Fedorchak details meeting with President Trump, updates other issues -- WDAY

Four more cases of measles reported in ND ? 2 each in Cass and Williams counties -- Dickinson Press

North Dakota governor unintentionally vetoes $35 million for housing programs -- North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota health officials sending extra resources to Williston to respond to measles cases -- WZFG

Williston City Commission details process to fill vacant seat left by Cymbaluk's resignation -- KX News

Armstrong spotlights jobs, education and youth health in visit to Dickinson key sites -- Dickinson Press

Killdeer will hold a special election Aug. 18 to replace former Commission President -- Dickinson Press

Legislature funds sewer, water projects affecting Lake Metigoshe, Peace Garden -- Minot Daily News

Department of Commerce awards over $50,000 to Minot childcare center Delight & Co. -- KX News

Minot announces three finalists for next Chief of Police; public invited to meet candidates -- KFYR - TV

Medora's first roundabout under construction ahead of TR Library 2026 opening -- Dickinson Press

Phase one of 93K square foot Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library construction is finished -- WDAY

Minot Public School district leadership, teachers to resume contract talks next week -- KFYR - TV

Dickinson Public Schools announce Mavericks to replace long-standing 'Midgets' -- Dickinson Press

Watford principal earns statewide recognition for educational excellence -- McKenzie County Farmer

Incoming Dickinson State president outlines plans to expand workforce programs -- Dickinson Press

Pay increases for support staff and substitute teachers approved by Hazen School Board -- Hazen Star

Stanley fourth-grade teacher LaBar named ND Geography Teacher of the Year -- Minot Daily News

Beulah school board, teachers continue contract negotiations; may finalize next meeting -- The Beacon

Glen Ullin native Melissa Wagner to lead Dickinson State's new nursing program -- Dickinson Press

A new IEA report and the Iberian blackout end dreams of an 'energy transition' -- RealClearPolicy

China's coal production jumps 3.8% in April over last year while imports fell by 16% -- Oil Price

Cramer: If countries want access to our markets, they must abide by our standards -- RealClearEnergy

US oil merger dealmaking slides from 2023 highs as buyers focus on value over volume -- Reuters

Monumental test awaits Trump's plans to push oil and gas production from the US West -- E&E News

US Department of Energy will restart issuing new permits for exports of liquefied natural gas -- Oil Price

Federal assessment finds significant undiscovered oil and gas resources in Wyoming -- Reuters

Trump wants coal to power data centers. The tech industry may need to make peace with that. -- CNBC

Trump rapidly making US 'powerhouse' of natural gas and oil, says energy secretary -- Fox Business

Drilling at a standstill in southern Saskatchewan due to low oil prices and wet weather -- Pipeline Online

FERC rejects MISO plan to fast-track generation interconnection, proposal lacked limits -- Utility Dive

Senate votes to overturn California's EV mandate in major defeat for climate activists -- Free Beacon

Trump orders Energy Department to cease enforcement of Biden appliance rules -- Conservative Brief

Study shows urban heat island effect skewed US warming data for over a century -- Issues & Insights

Data centers could drive demand for Wyoming's growing 'low-carbon' natural gas industry -- WyoFile

Staggering -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48664STARGATE.

Stargate, Abilene, TX, is tracked here.

 May 23, 2025: link here.



Russia Foreign Exchange Reserves -- April, 2025, Data -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48663RUSSIA.

Link here.

AI "Agent Factory" -- The Verge -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48662TECH.

Link here.

Apple -- Epic -- Medical -- Flashback To Judith Faulkner -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48661MEDICAL.

Wow, wow, wow: I posted the Judith Faulkner story last October (2024). Now "she" pops up again, today.

From Emory Healthcare:

Through Mac computers, clinicians at the hospital now have access to Epic, while iPhones and Apple Watches keep them connected.

iPhones are equipped with Epic’s Rover app to support nurses in monitoring vital signs and managing medication.

Each patient room features an iMac on a swing arm, aiding clinicians with bedside charting and documentation.

Emory Healthcare CEO Joon Lee said: “Deploying Apple products with Epic apps throughout the hospital offers efficiency and mobility to our clinical teams while saving time, providing patients the undivided attention they deserve.”

Patient registration is streamlined with iPad kiosks using the Epic Welcome app for quick and secure check-ins.

Bedside iPads in every room enable patients to engage with their care plans, review medical records, order meals, and get in touch with their care teams through Epic's MyChart Bedside app.

From yesterday

By the way, the next big thing? AI and big HMOs. Independent hospital networks.

Think Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthCare, BC/BS, Aetna, Humana, and the list goes on.
Private hospital systems, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Cedars-Sinai, Mount Sinai Health System, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital System, Stanford Health Care, UCLA Health, and Houston Methodist.
I assume Baylor White in the DFW area and MD Anderson, Texas should also be incuded.
There's a reason I posted this. Stay Tuned. Query: Nashville. HCA Healthcare; Vanderbuilt University Medical Center, Ascension State Hospital, Saint Thomas West, Saint Thomas Midtown; Community Health Systems. Low-hanging fruit.

Today: Emory Hillandale in Atlanta, GA, link here.


Link here to Epic Rover, Apple at Emory Hillandale. Emory Health at wiki.

I'm not going to post the screenshots, but a must-read, ask ChatGPT, Epic versus Oracle medical.

Verdict from ChatGPT:

If you are a large, U.S.-based, integration-focused health system with the budget, Epic is typically the best-in-class choice.

If you need modularity, flexibility, or are outside the U.S., Oracle Health may offer a better cost-to-functionality ratio, especially with its cloud roadmap

Epic: medical website. Epic Systems at wiki.

Judith Faulkner.

Epic wiki:

Epic Systems Corporation is an American privately held healthcare software company based in Verona, Wisconsin. According to the company, hospitals that use its software held medical records of 78% of patients in the United States and over 3% of patients worldwide in 2022.[4] Epic Systems Corporation is an American privately held healthcare software company based in Verona, Wisconsin. 

According to the company, hospitals that use its software held medical records of 78% of patients in the United States and over 3% of patients worldwide in 2022.

The majority of U.S. News & World Report's top-ranked hospitals and medical schools use Epic.

Among many others, Epic provides electronic record systems for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Kaiser Permanente, and all Mayo Clinic campuses.

Partners HealthCare began adopting Epic in 2015 in a project initially reported to cost $1.2 billion, which critics decried and which is greater than the cost of its buildings.  By 2018, the total expenses for the project were $1.6 billion, with payments for the software itself amounting to less than $100 million and the majority of the costs caused by lost patient revenues, tech support and other implementation work. In 2022, Emory Healthcare, Baptist Health and Memorial Hermann Health System switched to Epic from Cerner (now Oracle).

One-Two Punch To EV Sector -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48660EVS.

Updates

May 23, 2025: link here.

From the link:

For a while, it all seemed like it might just work out.

By one estimate, about 130,000 American jobs were said to be riding on the electric-vehicle boom sparked by the Inflation Reduction Act. Other estimates put that number around 160,000; if you include indirect but related fields, it may be closer to half a million.

Regardless, it's clear that the Biden-era legislation that laid out incentives to manufacture EVs and batteries domestically, along with penalties if automakers don't, was set to drive a lot of employment. Add in the potential to catch up to China's decades-long lead on battery technology and the potential for less air pollution, and America's EV race seems like a win for all involved.

So why would President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress be so dead-set on scrapping all of that, especially when bringing manufacturing jobs back to America is supposedly one of their top priorities?

That question has been on a lot of people's minds this week as the U.S. House of Representatives' finalized version of Trump's budget bill not only kills the EV tax credit and EV manufacturing incentives, but also makes EV ownership itself more expensive through new taxes. This, despite record EV sales in America in 2024 and nearly every automaker announcing huge EV investments—including domestic manufacturing, disproportionally focused in red and purple states.

The question again: why would President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress be so dead-set on scrapping all of that, especially when bringing manufacturing jobs back to America is supposedly one of their top priorities?
The answer comes down to three things: climate change, oil and gas, and China.
Comment: the writer is completely wrong: it comes down to free market capitalism. How long has the federal government and state governments been providing huge incentives for consumers to buy EVs and there's been little penetration?

May 23, 2025: VW, VMW and Mercedes are in trouble. No matter how they spin it, it's "all over" for the mass market EVs costing over $40,000. Maybe even over $30,000. No more tax credits; number of charging stations lacking; resale value plummets; and, no one understands the technology.

Original Post


How many years have "we" been subsidizing the EV industry with direct credits, incentives for the EV consumer?

Link here.

First, a bill passed by the U.S. House this morning moves to end the Inflation Reduction Act's tax credits for clean energy, including electric-vehicle tax credits. Then the U.S. Senate voted to end a so-called waiver that allows California to set its own emissions standards, which are followed by more than a dozen other states and sought to regulate all-electric new car sales by 2035.

Not worry: "Fake EVS" (HEVs and PHEVs) will do just fine. 

How is the Ford Mustang Mach-E division doing: selling a lot of cars. #2 in sales, behind Tesla.

Financial

Despite the positive sales trajectory of the Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s Model e division reported a significant financial loss of $5.1 billion in 2024, an increase from the $4.7 billion loss in 2023. The division’s revenue declined by 35% to $3.9 billion, and global EV sales dropped by 9% to 105,000 units. Ford anticipates continued challenges, projecting losses between $5 billion and $5.5 billion for Model e in 2025.

Sales:

In 2024, the Mustang Mach-E experienced a 27% increase in U.S. sales, totaling 51,745 units, making it the second-best-selling electric SUV in the country, trailing only the Tesla Model Y. Specifically, during the second quarter of 2024, sales rose by 46% year-over-year, reaching 12,645 units. This growth contributed to Ford’s overall 61% increase in U.S. EV sales for that quarter.

When did sales begin? So, five years in and financial situation getting worse?
Ford began selling the Mustang Mach-E in the United States in December 2020 as a 2021 model year vehicle. The all-electric SUV was officially unveiled on November 17, 2019, marking a significant expansion of the Mustang lineup into the electric vehicle segment
Production of the Mustang Mach-E commenced in 2020 at Ford’s Cuautitlán Assembly Plant in Mexico, which serves as the primary manufacturing facility for the global market.

Doing the math:

  • $5 billion loss / 50,000 units = $100,000 / car
  • how long does it take to ramp up a new model

Cash burn, previously posted:

Locator: 48633EVS.

Link here.

Comments at the link very, very important. Some of them are posted below.


From August 3, 2023, previously posted:

From 2023, Ford saw this coming:

Venture Global: Top US LNG Firm With CP2 Project Approval -- Charles Kennedy -- May 23, 2025

Locator: 48659LNG.

Link here.

Venture Global is on track to surpass Cheniere Energy to become the biggest U.S. LNG company by liquefaction capacity if regulators approve the CP2 export project.

Venture Global is urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to greenlight its third liquefaction plant, CP2 in Louisiana, by the middle of the year.

The CP2 LNG facility will be located adjacent to Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass LNG facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

CP2 LNG was initially proposed to be a facility with a capacity of 20 million metric tons per annum (mtpa), but Venture Global has raised the maximum capacity to 28 mtpa.

Venture Global’s two operational LNG export terminals, Calcasieu Pass and Plaquemines, have a combined capacity of 38.5 mtpa. CP2 would add another 28 mtpa and raise the company’s total export capacity to 66.5 mtpa, above Cheniere’s 60 mtpa.

Venture Global more than doubled its first-quarter revenue from a year earlier as its Plaquemines and Calcasieu Pass plants have launched operations and exports in recent months.

Last month, Venture Global started contractual deliveries from its first LNG export project, Calcasieu Pass, to its long-term customers amid an ongoing dispute with major oil and gas firms over the delays to the official commercial operations date at the export project. 

Much more at the link.

*************************
LNG Termainals

From May 14, 2025: link here.

****************************************
North American LNG Project Tracker

Flashback: from November 6, 2023.

Locator: 45962LNG.     

Link here.