•Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2026, leading to extreme volatility in global oil markets.
•Analysis suggests companies owning mineral rights/ground beneath oil fields may be a smarter trade than traditional producers like Exxon in the current climate.
•Duke Energy filed requests with the North Carolina Utilities Commission to recover fuel and purchased power costs incurred during extreme winter weather.
•The costs are expected to be reflected in customer rates beginning June 1.
•Record energy demand in late January and early February forced the utility to purchase power from other providers.
•Fifth Third Bank received an 'Outstanding' rating from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examination.
•The bank invested nearly $410 million in urban communities through its Neighborhood Program between 2022 and 2024.
•Intuit Inc. demonstrates resilience by focusing on indispensable financial software for small businesses and subscription-based services.
•Assurant Inc. leverages a diversified business model centered on specialty insurance and warranty services for mobile devices and vehicles.
•Analog Devices Inc. maintains a strong competitive moat in the semiconductor industry through high-performance analog chips for automotive and industrial sectors.
•The Board of Trustees of abrdn National Municipal Income Fund approved the removal of a policy restricting high-yield municipal security investments to 20% of the portfolio.
•This investment policy change is scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2026.