imaginima/iStock via Getty Images
Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Trump to push for emergency auction to get tech firms funding new power plants. (00:27) Disney’s (DIS) Kennedy hands off ‘Star Wars’ leadership. (02:03) Dimon says ‘no chance’ on Fed chair job. (03:00)
This is an abridged transcript.
Power producers such as Constellation Energy (CEG) and Vistra (VST) and NRG Energy (NRG) are on our biggest movers list this morning.
According to multiple media reports, The White House is expected to issue a directive today to propose an emergency power auction in which tech companies would bid for new plants built.
According to WSJ, citing people familiar with the matter, under the directive, power grid operator PJM Interconnection will be told to hold a power auction for tech companies to bid on 15-year contracts to build new power plants.
PJM is the largest grid operator in the U.S., spanning 13 states. Data centers built amid the AI boom have strained grid capacity and raised costs in recent power auctions.
The White House said its National Energy Dominance Council and the governors of several states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia, want to try to push the grid operator to take urgent steps to boost energy supply and curb price hikes.
CEG is up 1.1% after rising 3.2% on Thursday. Vistra is up 2% after seeing a 6.6% increase and NRG is up 1.8% after closing 5.8% higher.
It’s time for a new wave to pick up the lightsaber for Disney (DIS), as Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her longtime position as the sensei of Star Wars.
Kennedy is departing Lucasfilm, where she’s held a leadership position for nearly 14 years. She joined the production company as co-chair with Star Wars creator/director George Lucas, and became its only leader shortly afterward when Disney (DIS) bought the company and Lucas exited.
Dave Filoni, chief creative officer and a Lucas protégé, will take over creative leadership of Lucasfilm, while President/General Manager Lynwen Brennan will act as co-president and lead the business side. They’ll report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.
Kennedy plans to return to full-time producing, including finishing upcoming Lucasfilm projects The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter.
Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase (JPM), indicated he has no interest in becoming chair of the Federal Reserve.
Asked whether he would consider the role, Dimon replied there was “absolutely, positively no chance—no way, no how, for any reason.”
He was more open, however, to the idea of leading the U.S. Treasury. “The president calls you up and asks you to do something – you should consider it, so I would take the call and consider it,” he said. “I like my job, and I’ve been my own boss for pretty much 25 years.”
Dimon also said he wants to remain CEO of JPMorgan Chase (JPM) for at least another five years.
Dimon, who is 69 years old, has led the bank since 2006 and is one of the longest-serving CEOs on Wall Street.
What’s Trending on Seeking Alpha
France warns U.S. against Greenland seizure as Europe sends troops to island
U.S. megabanks reduce headcount by most in nearly a decade – report
Tech earnings should be AI validation sign: Wedbush
Dow, S&P and Nasdaq futures are in the green. Crude oil is up 1% at $59/barrel. Bitcoin is down 0.3% at $95,000. Gold is down 0.2% at $4,607.
The FTSE 100 is little changed and the DAX is up 0.2%.
The biggest movers for the day premarket: J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) -4.9% Shares slipped after mixed results. The logistics company earned a better-than-expected profit despite a 2% drop in revenue.
On today’s economic calendar:
Another item to add to your calendar but it’s not for today. It’s our Investing Experts Live-Top Ideas for 2026 event. Investing Experts is the sister podcast to Wall Street Breakfast. But this is a live event. It starts at noon on January 27th. You’ll hear from experts about where growth and income opportunities are emerging this year. They’ll discuss fundamentals and navigating market volatility with confidence. I’ll leave a link to register for the free event in the show notes section.
