BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Chicago Bridge & Iron: Back up the truck]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/28/chicago-bridge-and-iron-back-up-the-truck/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/28/chicago-bridge-and-iron-back-up-the-truck/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/10/28/chicago-bridge-and-iron-back-up-the-truck/#commentsFiled under:

In April, the call was that Chicago Bridge & Iron (NYSE: CBI) was undervalued at $7.31. If you bought CBI in April, you're up 178%. Not bad.

Moreover, it goes without saying that I'm reiterating my Buy rating for CBI, first recommended on April 6, 2009.

Continue reading Chicago Bridge & Iron: Back up the truck

Chicago Bridge & Iron: Back up the truck originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Canadian oil sandsCanadianOilSandsCBIChicago Bridge and Ironmiddle eastMiddleEastoil sandsOilSandsWed, 28 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil inches closer to the $70 mark]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/oil-inches-closer-to-the-70-mark/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/oil-inches-closer-to-the-70-mark/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/oil-inches-closer-to-the-70-mark/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

A couple of months ago, I would have bet that oil would probably peak out this summer in the upper $60's, and possibly move back through the psychological $70 mark, but it is starting to look like I would have been wrong. We have yet to hit the heart of the high demand summer driving months, and oil is already poised to break through $70 a barrel.

When we looked at oil prices yesterday we mentioned that the first place you are going to feel the recent jump in price is going to be at the gas station. And today, you will be seeing another slight jump in price as the national average for a gallon of gasoline moved over a penny higher last night to a current national average of $2.525.

Continue reading Oil inches closer to the $70 mark

Oil inches closer to the $70 mark originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChinadollarenergyMiddle EastMiddleEastoiloil demandoil pricesOilDemandOilPricesrecessionTue, 02 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil down sharply following bearish inventory report]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/07/oil-down-sharply-following-bearish-inventory-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/07/oil-down-sharply-following-bearish-inventory-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/07/oil-down-sharply-following-bearish-inventory-report/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Oil prices have dropped sharply today as traders focus on increased demand concerns following this week's oil inventory report.

Going into today's inventory report, analysts were expecting to see an increase in oil reserves of around 1.5 million barrels. However, the market was shocked to see that the actual increase last week was well above that figure, as the Energy Information Agency announced that inventories grew by 6.7 million barrels.

The result? Oil prices have dropped over 9% in today's market, falling $4.54, down to $44.04.

Continue reading Oil down sharply following bearish inventory report

Oil down sharply following bearish inventory report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>40 oil40Oilfalling oilFallingOilforecastHamasMiddle EastMiddleEastoiloil demandoil pricesOilDemandOilPricespoliticsRussiaUkraineWed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil up 52%, can gasoline be far behind?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/06/oil-up-52-can-gasoline-be-far-behind/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/06/oil-up-52-can-gasoline-be-far-behind/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/06/oil-up-52-can-gasoline-be-far-behind/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Crude oil has risen 52% from its December 19th low of $33 a barrel to $50. Can gasoline prices be far behind?

What's behind the move? Supply is down. For example, Kuwait and Qatar indicated they will implement the supply cuts that OPEC announced last month. A dispute between Russia and Ukraine reduced natural gas shipments to Europe -- it must be cold there. And Iran is calling for a suspension of crude exports to Israel's allies as the conflict between the Israeli army and Hamas hits its 11th day.

Will demand fall further as prices rise? That seems to be the only hope for a reversal in the price of oil. But so far there seems to be a bit of a delay between the rising price of crude and the price of gasoline. So if you're paying $1.66 now it looks like $2 won't be too far away. Maybe it's not too late to look into buying energy stocks.

Peter Cohan is president of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter.

Oil up 52%, can gasoline be far behind? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsmiddle eastMiddleEastoilrussiaTue, 06 Jan 2009 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Israeli bombs boost oil and gold]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/israeli-bombs-boost-oil-and-gold/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/israeli-bombs-boost-oil-and-gold/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/israeli-bombs-boost-oil-and-gold/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yesterday, I was pleased to pay $1.66 for mid-grade gasoline and I was wondering whether it would drop further or rise. But now I have an answer -- Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip are enriching the oil-producing countries that surround it. More specifically, oil prices have increased $3 a barrel to more than $40, while the price of gold is up 2% to $881.85 -- a 30% rise above its 13-month low two months ago.

Will the violence in the Middle East continue? If so, for how long? My guess is that Israel is planning a ground war which will last for several weeks -- the timing of the move takes advantage of the transition of power between Bush and Obama and posturing before January's Israeli election.

In the meantime, the key question for investors is whether they should buy energy stocks -- they will almost certainly rise today and will continue to go up as long as the possibility remains of escalation -- in the form of an military or economic attack, such as an oil embargo, on Israel and Western interests from other Middle Eastern countries. If there is an escalation, we could see a big spike in oil prices which would help energy investors.

But that could cause an even deeper economic slowdown which would cause oil prices to collapse even more once the violence ends.

Peter Cohan is President of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College. His eighth book, You Can't Order Change: Lessons From Jim McNerney's Turnaround at Boeing, was published by Portfolio on December 26, 2008

Israeli bombs boost oil and gold originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>energy stocoksEnergyStocoksfeaturedhamasisraelmiddle eastMiddleEastoiloil marketOilMarketMon, 29 Dec 2008 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[OPEC rumors boost oil prices]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/15/opec-rumors-boost-oil-prices/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/15/opec-rumors-boost-oil-prices/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/15/opec-rumors-boost-oil-prices/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Oil prices are getting a big boost today, as investors are betting on hearing news of huge production cuts coming out of OPEC this week.

With oil well off its highs from over the summer, many had already been expecting to see OPEC step in and cut production, but earlier this month OPEC made it clear that it wants to shock the market into sending prices higher.

Prices have moved up over $50 a barrel today, hitting a high of $50.05, but have cooled off slightly and are currently sitting at $49.25, up $2.97 as we await to hear exactly how deep the production cuts could run.

Continue reading OPEC rumors boost oil prices

OPEC rumors boost oil prices originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsMiddle EastMiddleEastoiloil demandoil pricesoil productionOilDemandOilPricesOilProductionOPECMon, 15 Dec 2008 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[OPEC profits rocket as it poisons its own well]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/11/opec-profits-rocket-as-it-poisons-its-own-well/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/11/opec-profits-rocket-as-it-poisons-its-own-well/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/11/opec-profits-rocket-as-it-poisons-its-own-well/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

OPEC nations had their most profitable half-a-year ever. According to the FT, "Members of the Saudi ­Arabia-led oil exporters' cartel took home $645bn (£335bn, €430bn) between January and June." That number could get even better in the second half.

OPEC may be doing exceedingly well and it may be building huge sovereign funds to invest in crippled financial companies in the US and EU, but it is taking on a substantial risk.

OPEC has kept is production fairly flat. The organization has done very little to abate the run-up in oil prices. That run-up has been the one of the two or three largest contributors to a slowdown of economies in the West.

A full-blown and deep economic recession is likely to spread from the West to China and India. If the US consumer cannot afford much beyond his mortgage, gas, and food, imports will suffer, perhaps substantially. Falling demand for imports in the US could spread to the energy-hungry countries of the developing world. In other words, demand for crude could collapse as demand for exports falters.

A sharp drop in oil demand could do terrific harm to the pace at which OPEC takes in cash. Record income may seem good for now, but it could drive very unpleasant and unintended consequences.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

OPEC profits rocket as it poisons its own well originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsmiddle eastMiddleEastoil marketoil pricesOilMarketOilPricesOPECsaudi arabiaSaudiArabiasovreign wealth fundssovreignwealthfundsMon, 11 Aug 2008 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[GM strategy: Sell hybrids to oil-rich countries...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/gm-strategy-sell-hybrids-to-oil-rich-countries/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/gm-strategy-sell-hybrids-to-oil-rich-countries/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/gm-strategy-sell-hybrids-to-oil-rich-countries/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You have to admit there's something ironic, almost comical, about this, but it's true: General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), whose domestic sales are in a major slump, said it plans to sell hybrid vehicles in the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf, where gasoline sells for anywhere between $0.78-$1.57 a gallon! Sell hybrids there. That almost sounds like a joke.

Well, it ain't no joke at all. The strategy, it seems, is to allow Middle Eastern buyers the choice of a bigger car. It's a plan cooked up by Terry Johnsson, president of GM's Middle East unit. Perhaps he's got a point. With their economies booming as a result of record-high oil prices, the region was responsible for 50% more GM SUV sales in May, the opposite of the trend seen in the company's U.S. sales.

So despite the Middle East being a small market in terms of global sales, GM plans to capitalize on its wealth. If the concept of hybrids in Bahrain (starting in the fourth quarter) still strikes you as odd, you may want to consider that the region is becoming increasingly environmentally friendly, says Johnsson. Considering that most countries in the Gulf rely on oil as a source of revenue and income, that's ironic too, isn't it?

While the American consumer for years preferred the bigger car, ignoring environmental and oil supply concerns, oil-rich countries have planned for the day it runs out, trying to get into other industries, such as tourism. Not to mention that the consumers there are also considering the environment. So in one more twist of the fate, GM, who has been pushing the big cars, is now feeling the consequences. How can so many have suffered from such poor foresight?

GM strategy: Sell hybrids to oil-rich countries... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsGeneralMotorsgmhybridmiddle eastMiddleEastoilpersian gulfPersianGulfWed, 04 Jun 2008 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota to export vans and SUVs from U.S.]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/toyota-to-export-vans-and-suvs-from-u-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/toyota-to-export-vans-and-suvs-from-u-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/toyota-to-export-vans-and-suvs-from-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It seems a bit odd, but Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) is an American auto exporter. It has been sending U.S.-made Avalon sedans to the Middle East for about a year. And now comes news via our pals at Autoblog that it will start shipping Sienna minivans and gigantic, American-style Sequoia SUVs to the Middle East as well.

No doubt this comes as good news to Toyota's American employees. Unlike competitors Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) and Chrysler, Toyota has avoided laying off employees, but it has slowed production in recent months. With the new export plan, production is being increased at its state-of-the-art plant in Princeton, Indiana. That's pretty impressive, given that the American domestic car market will likely shrink by a million cars this year.

More interestingly, though, this raises the always tricky question of the national identity of global manufacturers. Is a Toyota Avalon made by American labor in Indiana an American car? How about a Buick made in Canada? Or a BMW produced in South Carolina? Not easy questions to answer. Profits end up in one country, wages in another -- and capital investment perhaps in a third.

Whatever your answer, the issue serves as a useful reminder of two things: 1) the global economy is extremely complex, and 2) Toyota is beating the American automakers at their own game.

Toyota to export vans and SUVs from U.S. originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 May 2008 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exportsFGMinthenewsMiddle EastMiddleEastTMToyotaTue, 20 May 2008 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Sovereign wealth funds - bigger than the US economy?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/29/sovereign-wealth-funds-bigger-than-the-us-economy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/29/sovereign-wealth-funds-bigger-than-the-us-economy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/29/sovereign-wealth-funds-bigger-than-the-us-economy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Just a year ago, if you mentioned "sovereign wealth funds," you probably would have gotten a blank stare. But, of course, this is now the hot thing in finance. More importantly, it looks like sovereign wealth funds are poised for strong long-term growth. In fact, Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) recently set up a division to capitalize on the mega trend.

Sovereign wealth funds are found in many countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. It's the inevitable consequence of some major forces: strong economic growth in emerging economies, the fall in the US dollar and spikes in commodities prices, especially oil.

Global Insight, a research firm, estimates that sovereign wealth funds have grown an average of 24% per year for the past three years. They have about $3.5 trillion in assets, which is more than private equity and hedge funds combined.

No doubt, sovereign wealth funds have become a key element in global finance. For example, they contributed to about 28% of M&A deals (in January 2008) and about 10% of private equity transactions.

Global Insight forecasts that - by 2015 - sovereign wealth funds will exceed the value of the GDP of the US economy. And, I'm sure, the funds will also own a big chunk of it as well.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook (www.mergerbook.com) and is also a principal in Averiware, which provides an ERP system to small and midsize businesses.

Sovereign wealth funds - bigger than the US economy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AfricaAsiaEuropelehMiddle EastMiddleEastSovereign wealth fundsSovereignWealthFundsTue, 29 Apr 2008 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil sets new record as it breaks through $114]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/15/oil-sets-new-record-as-it-breaks-through-114/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/15/oil-sets-new-record-as-it-breaks-through-114/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/15/oil-sets-new-record-as-it-breaks-through-114/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As Joseph Lazzaro wrote earlier today, oil prices were surging once again in today's market, and traders set a new record, pushing prices up as high as $114.08 today.

Fueling today's rally were concerns over global supply, as news spread that Russian oil production has fallen this year. This is the first time in a decade that Russia is seeing a decline in its production.

Russia is not the only country making headlines. We were also given the news that China had a massive jump in its diesel oil imports last month of a remarkable 49%. So, we are being given both the news that Russia is producing less, while China is demanding more; the perfect recipe for a strong day for oil prices. Other oil producers, Mexico and Nigeria, announced that they had temporarily shut down some of their production as well.

Continue reading Oil sets new record as it breaks through $114

Oil sets new record as it breaks through $114 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinagas pricesgasolineGasPricesiranisrealmexicomiddle eastMiddleEastnuclearoiloil pricesoil productionOilPricesOilProductionpoliticsTue, 15 Apr 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil prices steady, unable to break through $110]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/08/oil-prices-steady-unable-to-break-through-110/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/08/oil-prices-steady-unable-to-break-through-110/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/08/oil-prices-steady-unable-to-break-through-110/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

After yesterday's big jump in oil prices, it looked as though we might see the precious crude break through the psychological $110 barrier today, but that has not been the case. Oil hit a high of $109.64 earlier in the session, but is currently trading in the red at $108.38, down $0.71.

Yesterday's move was more a result of traders betting on future interest rate cuts that it was fundamentals justifying oil trading around the $110 mark. As recession fears continue to linger, you can be sure that interest in commodities will remain high, and oil prices will keep trading at near record levels for at least a little while longer.

Also, as I noted last week, we are quickly approaching the summer driving months. As we see gasoline prices at record levels, we have to expect to see prices creeping even a bit higher as demand starts to build this summer. In fact, last week we were given data that gasoline inventories were falling and demand was increasing. This was the first time since back in January that gasoline demand rose.

Continue reading Oil prices steady, unable to break through $110

Oil prices steady, unable to break through $110 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4GasEnergy DepartmentEnergyDepartmentgasgas pricesgasolineGasPricesinthenewsMiddle EastMiddleEastoiloil pricesOilPricesTue, 08 Apr 2008 13:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Middle Eastern tensions push oil higher]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/25/middle-eastern-tensions-push-oil-higher/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/25/middle-eastern-tensions-push-oil-higher/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/25/middle-eastern-tensions-push-oil-higher/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Oil prices are off to a strong start this week, as traders are pushing prices higher in reaction to multiple concerns stemming out of the Middle East.

The first factor that is weighing on traders mind's is the Turkish invasion to Iraq. Tension between Turkey and the Kurds in Northern Iraq is nothing new to the area (and violence between the two goes all the way back to 1984), but the current activity is the first confirmed operation by Turkey since the United States began its Iraqi campaign in 2003.

Over the weekend, Turkey announced that one of its helicopters had gone down in Northern Iraq, killing 8 Turkish soldiers. In reaction to that news, Turkey stepped up its force by firing in excess of 40 salvos of artillery into the territory.

Continue reading Middle Eastern tensions push oil higher

Middle Eastern tensions push oil higher originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsIranIraqKurdsMahmoud AhmadinejadMahmoudAhmadinejadMiddle EastMiddleEastoiloil pricesOilPricesTurkeyMon, 25 Feb 2008 09:21:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. trade deficit narrows in December, declines 6% in 2007]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/u-s-trade-deficit-narrows-in-december-declines-6-in-2007/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/u-s-trade-deficit-narrows-in-december-declines-6-in-2007/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/14/u-s-trade-deficit-narrows-in-december-declines-6-in-2007/#commentsFiled under: ,

The trade deficit declined 6.9% to $58.8 billion in December 2007, as exports rose and imports fell, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Thursday. The figure was below the $61.6 trade deficit estimate.

For 2007, the trade deficit fell 6.2% to $711.6 billion, down from the record $758.5 billion recorded in 2006.

Monthly export record

December 2007 exports rose to a record $144.3 billion while imports declined for the first time in four months to $203.1 billion. Export activity remained strong to China, the Asia region, and South America. Exports of industrial supplies, civilian aircraft, capital goods, and consumer goods were particularly strong.

Economist Steve Affinito told BloggingStocks Thursday that in addition to a weaker dollar, which makes U.S. exports cheaper, the nation's exporters are demonstrating that they can find ways to maintain / increase international sales, even amid more-challenging economic conditions.

Trade: U.S. bright spot

"Across the board, companies are performing well on the export front, as U.S. goods, particularly high-value added items like aircraft, remain very competitive," Affinito said. "For the longest time trade had been a drag on U.S. GDP, but now it's starting to be a positive, which is good news for U.S. companies, employees, and the U.S. economy. The improving trade deficit picture is one of the few bright spots regarding the U.S. economy right now."

U.S. trade deficit narrows in December, declines 6% in 2007 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AsiacurrenciesdollarexportsGDPimportsinthenewsLatin AmericaLatinAmericaMiddle EastMiddleEasttradetrade deficitTradeDeficitU.S. Commerce DepartmentU.S. economyU.s.CommerceDepartmentU.s.EconomyThu, 14 Feb 2008 10:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Defense stocks should be on your radar screen]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/07/defense-stocks-should-hit-your-radar-screen/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/07/defense-stocks-should-hit-your-radar-screen/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/07/defense-stocks-should-hit-your-radar-screen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

President Bush recently submitted a $3.1 trillion dollar budget to congress with the biggest proposed increases in defense spending, and homeland security. The Pentagon would get a $35 billion increase to $515 billion for core programs, about 7% with war costs additional (but how much is additional?) This further supports my investment posture for this year and next that the defense sector is the place to be as I posted earlier today and many times over the past few months -- the BIG BUYS.

Some of our big defense contractors, all of which should benefit to some degree include: Boeing (NYSE: BA), General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), and United Technologies (NYSE: UTX). I am not suggesting that you jump into these stocks immediately, but you should add them to your watch list. Perhaps, for some investors dollar cost averaging into them over six months would make sense. Each has a varying degree of exposure to defense spending. For example, United Technologies is the parent of Sikorsky helicopters which makes the Black Hawk. Lockheed Martin and Boeing make fighter jets. Raytheon makes defense electronics and missile while General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman supply warships to the US Navy. Northrop also makes aerial vehicles that are being used in the Iraq War.

Continue reading Defense stocks should be on your radar screen

Defense stocks should be on your radar screen originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BABoeingChinadefense spendingDefenseSpendingfiscal repsonsibilityFiscalRepsonsibilityGDGeneral DynamicsGeneralDynamicsGeorge Bush budgetGeorgeBushBudgetinthenewsliberLMTLockheed MartinLockheedMartinmiddle eastMiddleEastNOCNorthrop GrummanNorthropGrummanRaytheonRTNUnited technologiesUnitedTechnologiesUTXThu, 07 Feb 2008 16:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Merrill, Citigroup go off-shore for money]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/10/merrill-mer-and-citigroup-c-go-off-shore-for-money/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/10/merrill-mer-and-citigroup-c-go-off-shore-for-money/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/10/merrill-mer-and-citigroup-c-go-off-shore-for-money/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Both Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) and Citigroup (NYSE: C) plan to raise a great deal more money to shore up their battered balance sheets, mostly from foreign governments.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "Merrill is expected to get $3 billion to $4 billion, much of it from a Middle Eastern government investment fund. Citi could get as much as $10 billion, likely all from foreign governments."

While the investments may raise questions in Washington about overseas capital controlling large interests in US financial companies, it also begs a more interesting question. Why aren't large pools of US capital investing in US companies? Certainly Warren Buffett or Calpers have the funds to take large pieces of companies like Citigroup.

The answer may be that sovereign funds have a much longer time horizon to get their money back. That would make sense since they only answer to their governments.

The only other explanation is that US institutions don't have much faith in the American economy and financial structure.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Merrill, Citigroup go off-shore for money originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CCALPERScitigroupinthenewsINVESTMENT BANKSInvestmentBanksMERmerrill lynchMerrillLynchMIDDLE EASTMiddleEastSOVREIGN WEALTH FUNDSSovreignWealthFundsWALL STREETWallStreetWARREN BUFFETTWarrenBuffettThu, 10 Jan 2008 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[How soon will we see $100 oil?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/29/how-soon-will-we-see-100-oil/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/29/how-soon-will-we-see-100-oil/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/29/how-soon-will-we-see-100-oil/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With oil's recent strong moves to the upside, we are now sitting at record high oil prices and are within striking distance of crossing through the psychological $100 barrier. This leads us to ask ourselves if and when $100 oil is finally going to become a reality.

OK, first I have to decide if I think that $100 oil is in fact coming in the not-so-distant future, and to that question the answer is yes, I do. When you look at the current market dynamics, all indicators point to even higher oil prices coming our way. But when? When will we see the $100 oil that everyone is starting to talk about?

With oil prices currently at $92.38, we really aren't that far from seeing the magical $100 mark. With only a little over 8 percent to go, it is feasible to argue that prices could hit $100 this week. I don't think we will see $100 oil this week, but it is a possibility. Let's consider that prices are already trading up about 9 percent from last Wednesday, when we got our last U.S. inventory report from the U.S. Energy Department.

Continue reading How soon will we see $100 oil?

How soon will we see $100 oil? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$100 oil$100Oilcrude oilcrude pricesCrudeOilCrudePricesfeaturedFederal ReserveFederalReserveMiddle EastMiddleEastoiloil inventoriesoil pricesOilInventoriesOilPricesMon, 29 Oct 2007 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil prices move higher on Middle East concerns]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/25/oil-prices-move-higher-on-middle-east-concerns/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/25/oil-prices-move-higher-on-middle-east-concerns/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/25/oil-prices-move-higher-on-middle-east-concerns/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Oil prices have picked up right where they left off yesterday, fueled by new concerns over tensions in the Middle East. Prices have moved up $1.42 on the day to $88.52 and hit an intraday high of $88.99 earlier in the session.

Yesterday, traders pushed prices higher after the U.S. Energy Department's weekly inventory report showed an unexpected decline of 5.3 million barrels, but today's extra price gains are being attributed to new violence between Israel and Lebanon. Any Middle Eastern conflicts will result in price gains, and that is exactly what we are seeing today on news that Lebanese troops fired on Israeli warplanes.

While it is true that a conflict between Israel and Lebanon would not impact supplies from the region, there is always the fear that an escalation of violence between the two would draw in the big oil players in the region. This is the first encounter since last summer's conflict between Israel and Hezbollah rebels, which pushed oil prices to last summer's highs.

Continue reading Oil prices move higher on Middle East concerns

Oil prices move higher on Middle East concerns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crude pricesCrudePricesenergygasinthenewsIranIsraelLebanonMiddle EastMiddleEastMideastoiloil inventoryoil pricesOilInventoryOilPricessanctionsU.S. Energy DepartmentU.s.EnergyDepartmentThu, 25 Oct 2007 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil hits $84 on Turkish threats; PetroChina (PTR) up despite Buffett's sell-off]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/12/oil-hits-84-on-turkish-threats-petrochina-ptr-up-despite-buf/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/12/oil-hits-84-on-turkish-threats-petrochina-ptr-up-despite-buf/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/12/oil-hits-84-on-turkish-threats-petrochina-ptr-up-despite-buf/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Turkish special forces stand guard at the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline in Ceyhan crude oil terminal near Adana, Turkey, last July.According to a report in Bloomberg, oil is selling in record territory on worries that Turkey may invade Northern Iraq. Uncertainty is never a good thing when it comes to business, and when it's related to oil prices it rocks the world, and potentially the world's economy.

  • Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told reporters his country would pursue the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, regardless of diplomatic costs, according to an Agence France-Presse report. Northern Iraq holds some of its largest oil fields, including Kirkuk, the source of much of Iraq's exports.
  • "If they start shelling across the border, the price is going to go up,'' said Addison Armstrong, director of market research at TFS Energy LLC in Stamford, Connecticut. "When there is tension in the world, oil gets bid up.''

This unpredictability in the region has kept oil prices up even though demand is not as strong as speculators anticipated during its rise over the last few years. For me, this is an unfortunate irony as I read this news after returning from a breakfast meeting where I told an associate, "Oil will be $60 a barrel before it is $100, unless war breaks out somewhere." This is very sad to me, because just the possibilty of war creates a rise in oil prices that I envision causes more pain for those at the bottom of the economic strata barely getting by now.


Continue reading Oil hits $84 on Turkish threats; PetroChina (PTR) up despite Buffett's sell-off

Oil hits $84 on Turkish threats; PetroChina (PTR) up despite Buffett's sell-off originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Berkshire HathawayBerkshireHathawayinthenewsIraqmiddle eastMiddleEastMideastoiloil price risesoil pricesOilPriceRisesOilPricesPetroChinaSheldon LiberSheldonLiberTurkeyTurkish GovermentTurkishGovermentWarren BuffettWarrenBuffettFri, 12 Oct 2007 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[When will Jimmy Carter pack it in?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/11/when-will-jimmy-carter-pack-it-in/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/11/when-will-jimmy-carter-pack-it-in/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/11/when-will-jimmy-carter-pack-it-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Former President Jimmy Carter Former President Jimmy Carter just doesn't know when to shut up. Here is the man who may go down as the worst president in American history and he still is trying to build his legacy. A legacy of what? A legacy of saying stupid things at the worst time? Saying the recent elections in Venezuela, which he oversaw as an "observer" were fair and equitable? The man who let the shah of Iran fall in 1978, only to see the Ayatollah Khomeini take over and begin a reign of terror, including the 1979 hostage crisis at the American Embassy? Carter should call it a day and go back to Habitat for Humanity -- where he has done good work.

Carter has seen many members of his staff leave their posts recently, as his latest book was viewed as a joke. He is pro-Palestinian and virtually anti-Jewish. He says he isn't, but his statements supporting the wrong group show otherwise. Carter speaks to anyone who will listen as if he believes he was a great and wise president. Right.

Carter's presidency was marked by record high interest rates, international failures culminating in the failed rescue attempt of the hostages in Iran, and the idiotic "fireside chats" where he accused Americans of being in a "malaise." America was so "malaised" that Carter was crushed by Ronald Reagan 48 states to 2. The day Reagan was inaugurated, the hostages were released -- some 444 days after their capture. The State Department had warned Carter that the embassy was at risk, but Carter chose to ignore the warnings. Gee, what a surprise.

So why do we even give this guy a forum to spout off like a scorned lover? He never got over the Reagan landslide, and has taken every opportunity to publicly criticize President Bush. There was an unwritten rule that retired presidents do not openly criticize the current occupant of the Oval Office. So much for protocol.

Jimmy, it's time to go back to Plains, Ga., and retire -- for good.

Georges Yared is the CIO of Yared Investment Research and the author of "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?"

When will Jimmy Carter pack it in? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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