U.S. Markets Rally on Trade Deal Announcement

by Jay Young | Investing, Oil & Gas, Tax Savings, Taxes, The Upside

Newsletter No. 115

Good evening,

It’s Thursday, May 8, 2025. In this edition of The Upside, we’ll cover the latest news from the oil and gas industry, along with important updates from King. As always, my goal is to keep you informed on the trends shaping our industry. Thanks for reading.

   

This Week's Headlines

  • U.S. Markets Rally Following U.S.-UK Trade Deal Announcement
  • Big Buildout: Haynesville Gas Rushing to Fuel New LNG Boom 

  • Russia’s Oil and Gas Income Falls

  • Women Leaders: Key to Oil and Gas Industry Success
  • Trump Wants to Allow Offshore Drilling in Gulf of Maine
  • King Holds Upcoming Webinars
  • A Meaningful Conversation About Growth on The Jay Young Show
  • Williams CEO Alan Armstrong Steps Down; Chad Zamarin to Take Over
       

Oil & Gas News

 

U.S. Markets Rally Following U.S.-UK Trade Deal Announcement
The United States and United Kingdom have finalized a major trade agreement that cuts tariffs on cars, steel, aluminum, and agricultural goods, signaling a significant policy shift and easing previous trade tensions. The deal, announced by President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reduces U.S. tariffs on British cars from 27.5% to 10%, eliminates the 25% tariff on British steel, and expands reciprocal access for agricultural products including beef and ethanol.

The agreement, praised by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as a product of Trump’s business acumen, has sparked optimism in financial markets. U.S. markets responded with gains across major indices: the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) rose 0.8%, the Dow Jones ETF (DIA) gained 0.9%, and the Nasdaq-100 ETF (QQQ) climbed 0.7%. Oil jumped 2% on the announcement, most likely due to trade deal optimism. Analysts see the deal as a boost to investor confidence and a potential stepping stone to broader trade stability.

    

Big Buildout: Haynesville Gas Rushing to Fuel New LNG Boom

A wave of new LNG plants along the Gulf Coast is creating huge demand for natural gas—about 13 billion cubic feet per day. To meet it, energy companies are building and expanding major pipelines from the Haynesville Shale in Louisiana and Texas. This gas will feed new export terminals like ExxonMobil’s Golden Pass and Venture Global’s Plaquemines, which will ship U.S. gas overseas. With billions of dollars in new projects underway, the Haynesville is becoming a key player in powering the world’s growing need for natural gas.

 

Russia’s Oil and Gas Income Falls

Russia made 12% less money from oil and gas in April compared to last year. These energy sales are a big part of the country’s budget, so the drop could hurt its ability to fund things like the war in Ukraine. Even though the April numbers were slightly better than expected, overall income for the year so far is still down over 10%. Russia may need to raise taxes or cut spending if prices stay low.
       
Women Leaders: Key to Oil and Gas Industry Success

With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, I wanted to highlight women in the oil and gas industry. The oil and gas industry has a big opportunity: bringing more women into leadership roles. Despite being one of the most critical and complex sectors, it's still among the most male-dominated. However, research shows that companies with more women at the top often perform better financially, manage risk more effectively, and build stronger workplace cultures. 

Nick Saban once shared a story about his wife, Terry, who he pursued during high school while working at a gas station. After years of success, he joked that if she’d married her ex, she’d still be at that gas station. But Terry responded humorously, saying that if she had married him, he’d now be the head coach at Alabama—essentially crediting herself for his success. This resonates with me, as my wife is not only a source of strength and wisdom but a key part of my success, both in life and in business.

Trump Wants to Allow Offshore Drilling in Gulf of Maine

The Trump administration is planning to allow more offshore oil and gas drilling, including in the Gulf of Maine, and wants to speed up the approval process for energy projects. Supporters in the oil and gas industry say this will boost U.S. energy production, but critics—including Maine lawmakers and environmental groups—warn it could hurt local jobs, fisheries, and tourism. Scientists also say the Gulf of Maine likely doesn’t have enough oil or gas to make drilling worth it.
   

HAPPENING AT KING

A Meaningful Conversation About Growth on The Jay Young Show
In this episode of The Jay Young Show, my co-host Jordan Soto and I have a meaningful conversation about about identity and each of our personal growth. We share honest reflections, explore what it means to start fresh, and talk about the experiences that have shaped how we see ourselves and the world around us. Subscribe to us on YouTube or Rumble. You can also listen on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you'd like to talk to someone about King and are an accredited investor, you can fill out your information here or schedule a Zoom conversation with one of our SVPs here and someone will reach out.
      

Move to Watch

Williams CEO Alan Armstrong Steps Down; Chad Zamarin to Take Over
After leading Williams Cos. for over a decade, CEO Alan Armstrong will become executive chairman on July 1. Chad Zamarin, currently EVP of corporate strategy, will step in as the new president and CEO. Armstrong, who began his career at Williams nearly 40 years ago, helped shape the company’s focus on natural gas infrastructure. Zamarin, known for driving innovation and strategic growth since joining in 2017, says he’s honored to lead the company into its next chapter.

 

Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions for myself or any member of the King team, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
     

All the best,

Jay

15301 Dallas Parkway, Suite 900
Addison, TX 75001

(214) 420-3000

U.S. Markets Rally on Trade Deal Announcement

by Jay Young | Investing, Oil & Gas, Tax Savings, Taxes, The Upside

Newsletter No. 115

Good evening,

It’s Thursday, May 8, 2025. In this edition of The Upside, we’ll cover the latest news from the oil and gas industry, along with important updates from King. As always, my goal is to keep you informed on the trends shaping our industry. Thanks for reading.

   

This Week's Headlines

  • U.S. Markets Rally Following U.S.-UK Trade Deal Announcement
  • Big Buildout: Haynesville Gas Rushing to Fuel New LNG Boom 

  • Russia’s Oil and Gas Income Falls

  • Women Leaders: Key to Oil and Gas Industry Success
  • Trump Wants to Allow Offshore Drilling in Gulf of Maine
  • King Holds Upcoming Webinars
  • A Meaningful Conversation About Growth on The Jay Young Show
  • Williams CEO Alan Armstrong Steps Down; Chad Zamarin to Take Over
       

Oil & Gas News

 

U.S. Markets Rally Following U.S.-UK Trade Deal Announcement
The United States and United Kingdom have finalized a major trade agreement that cuts tariffs on cars, steel, aluminum, and agricultural goods, signaling a significant policy shift and easing previous trade tensions. The deal, announced by President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reduces U.S. tariffs on British cars from 27.5% to 10%, eliminates the 25% tariff on British steel, and expands reciprocal access for agricultural products including beef and ethanol.

The agreement, praised by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as a product of Trump’s business acumen, has sparked optimism in financial markets. U.S. markets responded with gains across major indices: the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) rose 0.8%, the Dow Jones ETF (DIA) gained 0.9%, and the Nasdaq-100 ETF (QQQ) climbed 0.7%. Oil jumped 2% on the announcement, most likely due to trade deal optimism. Analysts see the deal as a boost to investor confidence and a potential stepping stone to broader trade stability.

    

Big Buildout: Haynesville Gas Rushing to Fuel New LNG Boom

A wave of new LNG plants along the Gulf Coast is creating huge demand for natural gas—about 13 billion cubic feet per day. To meet it, energy companies are building and expanding major pipelines from the Haynesville Shale in Louisiana and Texas. This gas will feed new export terminals like ExxonMobil’s Golden Pass and Venture Global’s Plaquemines, which will ship U.S. gas overseas. With billions of dollars in new projects underway, the Haynesville is becoming a key player in powering the world’s growing need for natural gas.

 

Russia’s Oil and Gas Income Falls

Russia made 12% less money from oil and gas in April compared to last year. These energy sales are a big part of the country’s budget, so the drop could hurt its ability to fund things like the war in Ukraine. Even though the April numbers were slightly better than expected, overall income for the year so far is still down over 10%. Russia may need to raise taxes or cut spending if prices stay low.
       
Women Leaders: Key to Oil and Gas Industry Success

With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, I wanted to highlight women in the oil and gas industry. The oil and gas industry has a big opportunity: bringing more women into leadership roles. Despite being one of the most critical and complex sectors, it's still among the most male-dominated. However, research shows that companies with more women at the top often perform better financially, manage risk more effectively, and build stronger workplace cultures. 

Nick Saban once shared a story about his wife, Terry, who he pursued during high school while working at a gas station. After years of success, he joked that if she’d married her ex, she’d still be at that gas station. But Terry responded humorously, saying that if she had married him, he’d now be the head coach at Alabama—essentially crediting herself for his success. This resonates with me, as my wife is not only a source of strength and wisdom but a key part of my success, both in life and in business.

Trump Wants to Allow Offshore Drilling in Gulf of Maine

The Trump administration is planning to allow more offshore oil and gas drilling, including in the Gulf of Maine, and wants to speed up the approval process for energy projects. Supporters in the oil and gas industry say this will boost U.S. energy production, but critics—including Maine lawmakers and environmental groups—warn it could hurt local jobs, fisheries, and tourism. Scientists also say the Gulf of Maine likely doesn’t have enough oil or gas to make drilling worth it.
   

HAPPENING AT KING

A Meaningful Conversation About Growth on The Jay Young Show
In this episode of The Jay Young Show, my co-host Jordan Soto and I have a meaningful conversation about about identity and each of our personal growth. We share honest reflections, explore what it means to start fresh, and talk about the experiences that have shaped how we see ourselves and the world around us. Subscribe to us on YouTube or Rumble. You can also listen on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you'd like to talk to someone about King and are an accredited investor, you can fill out your information here or schedule a Zoom conversation with one of our SVPs here and someone will reach out.
      

Move to Watch

Williams CEO Alan Armstrong Steps Down; Chad Zamarin to Take Over
After leading Williams Cos. for over a decade, CEO Alan Armstrong will become executive chairman on July 1. Chad Zamarin, currently EVP of corporate strategy, will step in as the new president and CEO. Armstrong, who began his career at Williams nearly 40 years ago, helped shape the company’s focus on natural gas infrastructure. Zamarin, known for driving innovation and strategic growth since joining in 2017, says he’s honored to lead the company into its next chapter.

 

Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions for myself or any member of the King team, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
     

All the best,

Jay