BUZZ — Venture Global rises on power equipment deal with GE Vernova, Baker Hughes

* Shares of LNG producer Venture Global rise 3.5% to $13.74 before the bell after it announces agreement to supply electricity to data centers amid booming AI demand * Co signs agreements with GE Vernova and Baker Hughes Energy Services for up to 16 new, 720 MW power units and equipment, including turbines and transformers * The deals will allow VG to make up to 10 GW of new computing capacity available over time at sites it owns or controls for potential adjacent infrastructure and data centers, per the statement * Co expects to place its first power equipment purchase order by the end of the year * Tech firms and utilities are exploring ways to make power-hungry data centers more flexible in electricity consumption, helping ease the strain on US power grids as AI-driven demand surges * Of 18 analysts covering VG, 11 rate the stock "strong buy" or "buy", 7 rate "hold"; median PT $16 * At Weds close, stock up ~95% YTD (Lance Tupper is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own) ((lance.tupper@tr.com 1-646-279-6380)