AI boom fuels energy profits and metals surge - Feb 11, 2026

As of February 11, today’s news features developments in the energy and metals markets, with a focus on the evolving demand driven by artificial intelligence and geopolitical dynamics surrounding critical minerals. Siemens Energy has experienced nearly a tripling of net profit in the first three months of its fiscal year, fueled by a surge in demand for gas turbines and grid infrastructure related to AI initiatives. As major tech firms planned to invest approximately 600 billion dollars in AI by 2026, Siemens Energy's market value soared to 137 billion euros, marking a 5.2% increase in share prices and hitting a new record. Meanwhile, CME Group is reportedly planning to launch the first-ever futures contract in rare earths, aiming to offer a hedge against the fluctuations of this critical sector dominated by Chinese supply. This move is crucial for diverse stakeholders, including governments and manufacturers, as major elements like neodymium and praseodymium are vital in the energy transition and technology sectors. Turning to market dynamics, Voestalpine reported a narrow miss in its core profit expectations for the first nine months, impacted by an ongoing industrial downturn in Europe and weaknesses in the automotive sector. Despite solid performance in niche markets and planned emissions-cutting investments, generational uncertainties in demand are causing concern among investors regarding the company's broader economic resilience. In energy scenarios, Europe's natural gas demand may grow due to significantly low snow cover affecting hydropower generation in Italy and Austria. With local utilities relying more on gas-fired power to compensate for this shortfall, gas output has already increased markedly compared to last year. Should this trend continue, it could tighten regional gas inventories further, presenting lucrative opportunities for major LNG exporters. Furthermore, industry leaders are also urging the European Union to reduce energy prices, emphasizing the urgent need for competitive pricing similar to that in the U.S. and China. As discussions approach EU leadership meetings, the calls reflect a growing concern for economic viability in an increasingly competitive global landscape. Nickel prices have surged in connection with a reduced output quota from Indonesia's leading nickel mine, illustrating a broader recovery in base metals as global demand remains robust. Meanwhile, other metals such as copper and aluminum are experiencing positive momentum, further driven by favorable market conditions as the dollar weakens. On the international front, the U.S. has initiated "Project Vault," a strategic 12 billion dollars stockpile plan for critical minerals, reflecting a growing multilateral approach to mitigate dependency on China amid rising technological demands. This shift promotes collaborations and agreements with various nations for sourcing essential resources.