by William Mathis
Global demand for coal will hit a fresh record in 2025, despite a pullback from the world’s top consumer China.
That’s according to the latest figures from the International Energy Agency, which also revised 2024 demand to an all-time high. The drop in Chinese consumption this year will be offset by rising coal needs in other countries, including the US, where President Donald Trump has championed the fuel as electricity demand booms.
Despite efforts to curtail use of the dirtiest fossil fuel in order to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, demand continues to rise. The IEA has repeatedly had to revise up its consumption forecasts for the fuel as overall power needs grow faster than expansion of wind farms and solar parks.
In the US, coal usage surged by 12% in the first half of the year, driven by rising electricity needs, the IEA found. Demand also rose in Europe, where wind production has been well below average so far this year. India will likely see an increase of 1.3% for the year, helping to to offset an expected 0.5% decline in China.
Overall, coal demand rose by 1.5% to a record 8.79 billion metric tons last year, the IEA said, up from a previous estimate of 8.77 billion tons.
The organization now expects coal demand will decline in 2026, after finding in December that it would continue to set records in every year until at least 2027. However, whether that happens will depend in large part on what happens in China, by far the world’s biggest consumer.
Copyright Bloomberg News
A new analysis finds long-running fiscal woes coupled with impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stand to erode the major pillar for retirement income planning.
Caz Craffy, whom the Department of Justice hit with a 12-year prison term last year for defrauding grieving military families, has been officially exiled from the securities agency.
After years or decades spent building deep relationships with clients, experienced advisors' attention and intention must turn toward their spouses, children, and future generations.
The customer’s UBS financial advisor allegedly mishandled an options strategy called a collar, according to the client’s attorney.
An expansion to a 2017 TCJA provision, a permanent increase to the standard deduction, and additional incentives for non-itemizers add new twists to the donate-or-wait decision.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.
