NEAM Insights

Nuclear Power in the U.S. Green sources of electric power such as wind and solar are appealing as they emit minimal pollution and carbon while producing power. The wind does not blow constantly, however, nor is the sun out around the clock and electric storage technology has not advanced to the point of capturing energy from any source sufficient to power an entire electrical grid. Other forms of energy that run almost continuously – such as nuclear power1 – are required to fill any gaps in production of electricity from the wind or the sun. What is the state of nuclear electricity generation in the U.S.? Unfortunately, after a strong pace of nuclear power plant construction in the 1970s – 1990s2, the country lost enthusiasm for building new facilities. Construction was expensive, approvals increasingly difficult to obtain and publicity surrounding the relatively few nuclear facility accidents discouraged development.3 The nuclear share of electricity generation in the U.S. rose from 2% in 1971 to around 20% in 1991, where it has remained. In comparison, wind’s share is 9% and solar’s is 3%.4 Read More

The last year has been a challenge for energy markets with a global oversupply in crude oil exacerbated by a pandemic-induced drop in overall energy demand. Additionally, from a longer-term perspective, industry trends away from using traditional sources of fuel have been accelerating. Over the past few years, investment managers have become increasingly focused on environmental, social and governance factors (ESG) when looking to put money to work. Further, concerns over climate, sustainability of resources as well as pollution have encouraged energy-producing countries and companies to actively seek to change how power is accessed, supplied, distributed and ultimately used with the idea of limiting or eliminating negative effects on the environment. Below we discuss some developments that could change the business of energy over the coming decades. Read More

Background There are times when investors need to look in unfamiliar and perhaps riskier places to see which way the winds of fortune might be shifting. For example, what can conditions in leveraged markets tell us about high grade corporate bonds? Leveraged capital structures are more sensitive and vulnerable to changes in the overall financial market and as conditions change, these securities often signal danger lying ahead for investment grade bonds. Read More

Cable television operators’ main source of revenue is under attack from several disruptive factors, including new providers of program content, more convenient and faster means to deliver that content as well as mobile devices that can deliver high quality video. These disruptors have had a double-edged effect on both the profitability and credit quality of bonds issued by the larger cable players. Below we examine the implications of these new technologies. Read More