Finding alternatives to nuclear fuel was the focus of the Fast Money Traders Tuesday morning as world leaders shuttered nuclear plants amid growing radiation-safety fears.
Japanese authorities urged people living near damaged nuclear reactors in Northern Japan to remain indoors Tuesday due to radiation leakage. The government’s warnings sparked fears of radiation poisoning from nuclear facilities throughout the world, prompting German chancellor Angela Merkel to order the closure of nuclear plants in operation for more than 30 years, pending a safety review.
It’s not clear whether older nuclear plants pose significant health risks. Japan’s plants began leaking unsafe-levels of radiation after a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami ravaged the country, causing what officials fear could be more than 10,000 deaths.
Still, the alarming headlines have sparked a significant backlash against the fuel – particularly in Europe -- renewing demand for alternative such as natural gas. Nat gas futures were one of the only commodities actually increasing in value Tuesday. Nat gas futures were up another 1.5% this morning. The commodity was one of the worst performers last year.
“Nat gas prices are hitting highs again,” noted Brian Kelly, Kanundrum Capital’s founder.
Metropolitan Capital’s Karen Finerman was watching a derivative off the natural gas trade -- the LNG tanker space. LNG tankers are used to transport liquefied natural gas. “Demand for LNG is going to go up,” said Finerman. “It is almost at zero excess capacity. This is really big news for the LNG space.”
Finerman was specifically focused on Golar LNG , one of the largest LNG carriers. Golar LNG hit a 52-week high in early trading Tuesday.
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Trader disclosure: On March 15, 2011, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s "Fast Money" were owned by the "Fast Money" traders;
Terranova Owns (VRTS); Terranova Owns (C); Terranova Owns (GS); Terranova Owns (PNC); Terranova Owns (USB); Terranova Owns (JPM); Terranova Owns (UPL); Terranova Owns (ABT); Terranova Owns (MS); Terranova Owns (PBR); Terranova Owns (BAX); Terranova Owns (TEVA); Terranova Owns (IBM); Terranova Owns (BTU); Terranova Owns (CNX); Terranova Owns (POT); Terranova Owns (FCX); Terranova Owns (XOM); Terranova Owns (DIS); Terranova Owns (MCD); Terranova Owns (CVE); Terranova Owns (CVI); Terranova Owns (RSX); Terranova Owns (SU); Terranova Owns (CNQ); Adami Owns (AGU); Adami Owns (BTU); Adami Owns (C); Adami Owns (GS); Adami Owns (INTC); Adami Owns (MSFT); Adami Owns (NUE); Finerman's Firm Is Short (IWM); Finerman's Firm Is Short (SPY); Finerman's Firm Is Short (MDY); Finerman's Firm Is Short (XRT); Finerman's Firm Is Long S&P 500 Puts; Finerman's Firm Is Long Russell 2000 Puts; Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (AAPL); Finerman's Firm Owns (FDO); Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (GLNG); Finerman Owns (GOOG); Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (HPQ); Finerman's Firm Owns (IBM); Finerman's Firm Owns (M); Finerman's Firm Owns (MCD); Finerman's Firm And Finerman Own (MSFT); Finerman's Firm Is Short (SPY); Jon Najarian Owns (AKAM), Is Short (AKAM) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (CRM), Is Short (CRM) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (CCJ), Is Short (CCJ) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (CBOE) Is Short (CBOE) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (CME) Is Short (CME) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (NYX), Is Short (NYX) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (DNDN), Is Short (DNDN) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (EWJ), Is Short (EWJ) Calls; Jon Najarian Owns (TM), Is Short (TM) Calls
For Joe Terranova
Terranova is Chief Market Strategist of Virtus Investment Partners, LTD
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (ABAX)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (AMKR)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (CCG)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (CASS)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (CSVI)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (EXR)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (FCFS)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (KRC)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (LDR)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (LPHI)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (NCRI)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DBV)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLB)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLV)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLP)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLY)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLE)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLF)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLI)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLK)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (XLU)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (SUBK)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (WDFC)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (YDNT)
Virtus Investment Partners Owns More Than 1% Of (DOM)
For Brian Kelly
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (TLT)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (FCX)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Long U.S. Bonds
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Long Copper
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Long U.S. Dollar
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (ATW)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (RDC)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (EBAY)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (EWJ) Puts
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (XRT) Puts
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Own (XLF) Puts
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Short Australian Dollar
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Short (EWJ)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Short (EWY)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Short (XRT)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Short (XKF)
Accounts Managed By Kanundrum Capital Are Short (IXG)
For Dennis Gartman
Funds Managed By Dennis Gartman Own Grain ETFs
Funds Managed By Dennis Gartman Own Rice Futures
Funds Managed By Dennis Gartman Are Long Swiss Franc, Short Euro, Short British Pound Sterling
Funds Managed By Dennis Gartman Own Natural Gas Stocks, Are Short S&P Futures
For Itay Michaeli
Citigroup Global Markets Or Affiliates Owns 1% Or More Of (ARM), (BWA), (JCI)
Citigroup Global Markets Or Affiliates Has Managed Or Co-Manged Offering Of (BWA), (GM), (JCI), (LEA), (TOWR) In Past 12 Months
Citigroup Global Markets Or Affiliates Has Recieved Investment Banking Compensation For Services Provided In Past 12 Months From (ARM), (BWA), (GM), (JCI), (LEA), (TOWR)
Citigroup Global Markets Expects To Recieve/Seek Investment Banking Compensation From (ARM), (JCI) In Next 3 Months
Citigroup Global Markets Or Affiliate Recieved Non-Investment Banking Compensation From (ARM), (BWA), (GM), (JCI), (LEA), (MGA), (TOWR) In Past 12 Months
(ARM), (TOWR), (GM), (BWA), (JCI), (LEA) Are Or In Past 12 Months Were Investment Banking Clients Of Citigroup Global Markets
(ARM), (BWA), (GM), (JCI), (LEA), (MGA), (TOWR) Are Or In Past 12 Months Were Non-Investment Banking Clients Of Citigroup Global Markets (Securities-Related Services)
(ARM), (BWA), (GM), (JCI), (LEA), (MGA), (TOWR) Are Or In Past 12 Months Were Non-Investment Banking Clients Of Citigroup Global Markets (Non-Securities-Related Services)
Citigroup Global Markets Or Affiliate Recieved Compensation From (ARM), (TOWR), (GM) In Past 12 Months
Citigroup Global Markets And/Or Affiliates Has A Significant Financial Interest In Relation To (ARM), (BWA), (GM), (JCI), (LEA), (MGA)
For Barry Ritholtz
***No Disclosures On EWJ
For Shneur Gershuni
UBS AG, Affiliates Or Subsidiaries Owned 1% Or More Of (BTU) As Of Last Month's End
(ACI), (CNX), (ICO), (NRP), (PCX), (PVR) Are Or In Past 12 Months Were Investment Banking Clients Of UBS Securities LLC
(ICO) Is Or In Past 12 Months Was A Non-Investment Banking Client Of UBS Securities LLC (Securities-Related Services)
UBS Securities LLC Has Recieved Compensation From (ACI), (CNX), (ICO), (NRP), (PCX), (PVR) In Past 12 Months
SOT/Tim Seymour/3/15/11
***No Disclosures
SOT/Jon Najarian/2/15/11
Jon Najarian Owned (WMT), Was Short (WMT) Calls On 2/15/11
SOT/Halftime Play Of The Day
Nomura Securities International Is A Market Maker In (INTC)
SOT/Barry Ritholtz/12/22/10
FusionIQ Owned (EWJ) On 12/22/10
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