Would like to hear your thoughts on the potential global economic consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz? I have some takeaways about this situation: 1.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and halted shipments could push Brent crude prices above USD 100/bbl if the blockade persists. 2.Geopolitical tensions and market uncertainty typically increase demand for safe-haven assets like gold. There are increasing doubts about the US dollar's safe-haven status from Central banks like the European Central Bank, this could suggest a potential shift in currency dynamics making other currencies (Swiss Franc) or commodities ( Gold or Silver) more appealing as a safe heaven. I believe we will see the same market drivers for 2026 specially that war is escalating very fast, we are seeing even more countries involved like many of the Gulf countries, . Dr.Spyros made a analysis of Gold rally in 2025 (It explains many of the market drivers we are seeing also in 2026, highly recommended!) 3. Energy Resilience The uncertainty surrounding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz raises important questions about the resilience of global energy systems. Given that there is no clear timeline for reopening, this disruption could act as a catalyst for countries to reassess their dependence on oil and gas. Several countries are already feeling the effects of supply constraints, and if the situation persists, we may see increased volatility in energy markets. In this context, the crisis could accelerate investment and policy shifts toward renewable energy sources, as nations seek to reduce exposure to geopolitical risks associated with fossil fuel supply routes. If the conflict evolves into a prolonged situation, repeated disruptions or closures over time could further reinforce the urgency of diversifying energy portfolios and strengthening energy security. Let me know your thoughts!

Hey everyone, I’m asking this because LLMs weren’t really part of our workflow before, but now that they’re available it’s difficult not to leverage them given their productivity benefits. How are you using LLMs in data science workflows, and what best practices should I be aware of? Also, from a manager’s perspective, what expectations or concerns do you have about their use? PS: I am one of those that do not use it much especially for work or academia and looking for the correct ways to integrate it.

In 2025 the prices of gold and silver rose fast and reached new records. Because of this, many banks and trading firms hired more staff, and expanded their trading so they can earn more money from gold/silver related trading and services. These price increases occurred due to macroeconomic and geopolitical reasons. See the attached image (source : LSEG). A new analysis on this topic has been uploaded in Classroom --> 6.2. By the way, the analysis has been compiled using the sources below , along with some extra comments I have added. These sources below, such as the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, the Economist etc, all request you to subscribe to read their articles. I am subscribed to all of them, and so there is no need for you to subscribe also because I am bringing you the most interesting articles on energy-economics and energy - finance, including my own comments and all re-written in simple beginner-friendly accessible language. Also, they all come with my support which means if you have any questions regarding the content of these reports, you can message me! Sources: [1]: Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/ae214919-1617-48fa-8f0d-7734f5c98e72 [2]: Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-26/gold-trader-hiring-spree-drives-up-pay-as-bullion-market-booms? [3]: Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/finance/commodities-futures/a-new-wall-street-trade-is-powering-gold-and-hitting-currencies-62a61fdb?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfhN3SK_q3Urvm-i_8Nsla_Bl-lOBBSs2p5R1c6uzTNsebYGJ6F2n3l&gaa_sig=epeZAbrguUmRTBAsQ6PG28zNhMYLR3-vgNVT9IHepcRc-paBb2Ak99AzgGzLTcSnpEzcy-fKftw4N_pIZOfDuA%3D%3D&gaa_ts=69515e33&

- Here we analyse, using simple beginner-friendly language, a research paper which focuses on the topic of Energy investments. No need for you to memorize anything. It is enough to read it once and get the main idea. It is considered very valuable at workplace to be informed about research topics - this is why it is strongly recommended to have a quick read. - You can find more than 250 such analyses in the Classroom --> section 6.1 and section 6.4. - Downloadable resource is attached down below (scroll down to download the full paper). No need to read the full paper because below you can find the key points written in beginner-friendly language. - Title of the research paper: Optimal investment decision for photovoltaic projects in China: a real options method - Citation: Zhu, X., & Liao, B. (2023). Optimal investment decision for photovoltaic projects in China: a real options method. Journal of Combinatorial Optimization, 46, 30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10878-023-01096-5 Introduction to Solar Investment Challenges Renewable energy is essential for fixing climate change and reducing pollution. Solar photovoltaic projects, often called PV projects, are a popular way to generate clean electricity. However, building these solar projects is expensive and it takes a long time to make the money back. Because the cost of technology is dropping and government rules on electricity prices keep changing, investors find it hard to know exactly when to spend their money. This paper looks at how uncertainty makes it difficult for investors to choose the best time to build solar projects in China. The Problem with Traditional Financial Models Investors usually use a method called Net Present Value to decide if a project is worth money. This method works well when everything is certain, but it fails when the future is unpredictable. Solar projects have many unknowns, and once the money is spent, it cannot be recovered. To fix this, the authors use a method called Real Options. This approach treats a physical investment like a financial option, giving the investor the right, but not the obligation, to invest now or wait until later when conditions might be better.

Predicting the future of energy (literature) In France, the Defense Red Team for the Ministry of the Armed Forces publishes science fiction stories that are accessible to all, offering a new way of looking at energy and geopolitical issues. Are there any current science fiction stories, scenarios, about energy in other countries? Stories written by science fiction authors who are members of a state-affiliated circle?