The global long-duration energy storage market is estimated at US$6.34 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach US$23.02 billion by 2036, growing at 13.8% CAGR. Growth is driven by rapid renewable energy deployment, grid congestion, supportive government policies, and increasing demand for multi-day storage solutions. U.S. trade tariffs on battery components and critical minerals have created near-term cost pressures but are accelerating domestic manufacturing investment.

As AI data centers demand massive power and networking infrastructure, two smaller companies are positioned to capitalize on the boom. Fluence Energy provides industrial-scale battery systems for clean, stable power delivery, while Credo Technology offers high-speed copper cables that match fiber-optic performance with lower power consumption. Both companies address critical data center pain points as hyperscalers invest nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure buildouts.

The article compares AES Corp., a utility company with a 11.1-gigawatt pipeline, to Applied Digital, an AI data center builder with energy infrastructure. While AES provides electricity to residential customers and hyperscalers, Applied Digital offers both energy and AI data centers, positioning it for higher growth. Applied Digital achieved 84% year-over-year revenue growth versus AES's 2%, and secured a $11 billion 15-year contract with CoreWeave. Applied Digital's stock has tripled in the past year compared to AES's 14% gain, reflecting investor preference for the higher-growth AI data center model.

Shell PLC announces board changes, with Catherine Hughes and Neil Carson not standing for re-election at the 2026 AGM. Two new non-executive directors, Holly Koeppel and Clare Scherrer, will join the board on January 1, 2026, bringing extensive industry experience.

Several S&P 500 stocks are trading at low forward price-to-earnings ratios, suggesting potential undervaluation and possible investment opportunities, with some stocks showing potential upside of up to 50%.

Law firm Johnson Fistel is investigating potential securities law violations by Fluence Energy's officers and directors, alleging false statements and undisclosed material facts about the company's business relationships and financial performance.

BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners is reportedly considering acquiring AES Corporation for $38-40 billion, targeting the electricity utility to capitalize on rising demand for electric power for AI data centers.

BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners is in advanced negotiations to acquire AES Corp for $38 billion, highlighting the growing strategic value of utility companies in the AI and data center expansion era.

Law firm Bragar Eagel & Squire is investigating potential claims against Fluence Energy following a class action complaint alleging misleading statements about company relationships and financial performance.

Law firm investigating potential claims against Fluence Energy following a class action complaint alleging misleading statements about company relationships, revenue, and business prospects during October 2021 to February 2025.

The article highlights three undervalued stocks with high dividend yields and low P/E ratios: Jackson Financial, AES Corporation, and Western Union. These companies offer attractive investment opportunities with strong financial performance and potential for valuation multiple expansion.

The article explores seven dividend stocks with high yields and low valuations, focusing on value investing opportunities in an expensive market. The stocks span utilities, energy services, packaging, and logistics sectors, offering dividend yields ranging from 5% to 11%.