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Royal Dutch Shell crowned world's largest corporation

Who said big oil was a dying business? Fortune has released its Global 500, their "annual ranking of the world's largest corporations," and topping the charts is Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A), which, much like a Mariah Carey song, bumped up into the coveted number-one slot after some time at number three. The Netherlands-based oil company trumped its U.S. rival, Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) by $15 billion in sales and saw its revenue spike nearly 29% from 2007.

Speaking of Exxon, the company once again had a tiger in its tank, ranking number two in the world as oil futures bounced around in a nearly $100-dollar range, hitting $146 per barrel at its heights.

Continue reading Royal Dutch Shell crowned world's largest corporation

Toyota to start mass production of electric autos by 2012

Although Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) was first out of the gate with a gas/electric hybrid vehicle back in 1997 with the Prius, the holy grail for much of the consumer automotive industry has been a 100% electric vehicle that lasts a while on a charge, is big and roomy, and has a long range.

Oh, and it must remain comparable (read: affordable) in price to its fossil fuel cousins. The former GM's Chevy Volt project was a very good stab at this (who knows where that project is heading, though), but what about world automotive leader Toyota?

Continue reading Toyota to start mass production of electric autos by 2012

Q2 to be tough on earnings, but some improvement

Quarterly earnings could be up year-over-year by the fourth quarter. A low threshold for improvement, as a result of last year's Q3 financial meltdown, could set the stage for the appearance of a recovery, but the ride from here to there will be a difficult one.

Data from Bloomberg and S&P suggests that profits for stocks comprising the S&P 500 Index may be down 21% next quarter. It's still a double-digit blow, but a better result than Q2's estimated 34% -- and far ahead of Q1's 60% year-over-year fall in profits. The driver of a recovery, however concealed by low expectations, is likely to be a combination of unemployment and consumer spending. Last month, we saw unemployment reach a 26-year high, putting obvious constraints on purchasing.

Continue reading Q2 to be tough on earnings, but some improvement

Comfort Zone Investing: Is Ford a buy?

Ford (NYSE: F) is the last of the "Big" Three standing on its own two feet. Chrysler and General Motors (OTC: GMGMQ) are on crutches supplied by the federal government. While they're both still upright, those crutches are mighty expensive (the government will own 60% of GM when it emerges from bankruptcy).

Speaking of bankruptcy, Chrysler is already on the other side and now a partner with Fiat. That was perhaps the fastest legal action ever seen. Usually bankruptcy takes between 18 months to two years before a new company emerges.

Continue reading Comfort Zone Investing: Is Ford a buy?

Buy American -- but promote foreign brands?

I recently attended a Lakers' basketball playoff game and took notice of the fact that Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) was a major sponsor advertising at Staples Staples Inc (NASDAQ: SPLS) Center. This, while our home grown car companies are all on the verge of collapse.

As we write stories on the depressed economy readers frequently comment about "buying American" as a theme that will help the greater good by keeping jobs and money in the United States.

This patriotic notion got me thinking about what would happen if we carried it further? Would we stop advertising and promotion of foreign products? Would we restrict discussion of foreign products in the media all together? Would we limit the production of foreign products here, even if they are providing jobs for Americans?

Continue reading Buy American -- but promote foreign brands?

Honda to cut incentives as it forecasts rising demand in 2009

Every global automaker is facing sliding sales, employee layoffs and plant re-tooling in the midst of a massive and lasting shift in consumer buying habits (especially in the United States). Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC) -- while not hurting as much as American domestic manufacturers -- has seen drops in year-over-year auto sales. Still, the Japanese automaker will be lowering purchasing incentives as it believes there is a recovery coming soon to its sales.

Continue reading Honda to cut incentives as it forecasts rising demand in 2009

Chrysler announces major dealership closings

At the end of last month, American auto maker Chrysler announced that it was entering into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and now we are starting to hear reports of plans to close a large amount of dealerships next month.

In all, Chrysler has decided to eliminate 789 out of its 3,200 dealerships that it says are just not pulling their weight in terms of sales. The company stated that its network of dealerships has become antiquated, and there currently exists too much competition between its dealerships.

Continue reading Chrysler announces major dealership closings

Toyota posts first annual loss in 59 years

Toyota 2009 LossGiving a clear indication of just how low demand for new autos has fallen, the world's largest car maker, Toyota (NYSE: TM) posted its first annual loss in 59 years this morning.

We all know that the auto industry is in major trouble. We have America's big three all fighting for their lives, and Chrysler has already been forced to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Continue reading Toyota posts first annual loss in 59 years

Volkswagen may be number one

VW may have passed Toyota (NYSE: TM) as the world's No.1 car company just as Toyota passed GM (NYSE: GM) a year ago. Unfortunately, the companies all operate in an industry where being on the top of the pile does not matter much these days. It is probable that each of these firms loses money on the great majority of the cars they sell. To make matter worse, market share may be a weakness as the auto industry moves out of the recession.

It seems more and more likely that modest sized and nimble auto makers like BMW and Hyundai, who do not have to maintain factories in distant corners of the world and do not have to develop and market dozens of individual products, may hold an advantage in a fragmented car industry. The behemoths rely on their ability to maintain massive capital spending and their cost structures can do them nearly irreparable harm in a weak economy.

Continue reading Volkswagen may be number one

Options Update: Honda, Toyota and Nissan volatility low

Honda (NYSE: HMC) closed at $25.90. HMC March 2009 U.S. sales decreased 36% compared to March 2008. HMC April option implied volatility of 51 is below its 26-week average of 62, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM) closed at $67.90.TM March 2009 U.S. sales decreased 39% compared to March 2008. TM April option implied volatility is at 44, May is at 46; below its 26-week average of 57, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Nissan (NASDAQ: NSANY) closed at $8. NSANY March 2009 U.S. sales decreased 37% compared to March 2008. May option implied volatility of 60 is below its 26-week average of 65, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Toyota concerned about welfare of its top 100 U.S. suppliers

Toyota Motor Company (NYSE: TM) is not only worried about its short-term future, but the futures of about 100 of its U.S. suppliers as well. The automaker offered this tidbit to the automobile task force under President Obama that's currently sizing up whether or not to again help General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) and Chysler from dire straights.

Continue reading Toyota concerned about welfare of its top 100 U.S. suppliers

Auto sales continue to weaken

February auto sales figuresWe all know that the auto industry has been in crisis over the past year, and February was yet another tough month for auto sales, with hefty declines in sales for the major companies.

Analysts have been hoping that the auto industry is going to turn the corner during the second half of this year, but we are still waiting for any sign that things are getting back to normal as General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and Toyota Motor company (NYSE: TM) all reported major drops in sales last month.

Continue reading Auto sales continue to weaken

Closing Bell: Great Day Thwarted, Disaster Thwarted (BBI, GENZ, TM, BAC, FSLR)

Day 497: The seige continues and we have been out of supplies for weeks. That is how today felt. The morning strength was deemed as a mere opportunity to sell as traders just do not trust gap-ups any more. Ben Bernanke tried to calm the markets, but his comments only helped to add salt to the wounds. This was one of the few days where we actually had some 52-week highs . Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 6,726.02 -37.27 (-0.55%)
S&P 500 696.33 -4.49 (-0.64%)
Nasdaq 1,321.01 -1.84 (-0.14%)

Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: Great Day Thwarted, Disaster Thwarted (BBI, GENZ, TM, BAC, FSLR)

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Don't need stocks? Don't own 'em

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says if you need money for anything important in the near future, get it out of the stock market.

Fall back. Fall back to basic principles. What do people have to do whether they want to do it or not? What do governments have to pay for whether they want something or not? What must be used whether you like it or not?

That's where we are right now in the helter-skelter pell-mell race to take all stocks to single digits as the notion of a worldwide global depression sinks in.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Don't need stocks? Don't own 'em

Honda Motor president bowing out

Honda steering wheelIn yet another bit of news from the automotive industry, Honda Motor Company (NYSE: HMC) president Takeo Fukui announced today that he will be stepping down from his post in June after six years with the second-largest Japanese automaker.

Fukui is passing the torch to Takanobu Ito, who currently serves as chief of automobile operations. The 64-year-old Fukui said, about passing the job to his 55-year-old successor, "It is very important to have a generational change in management every few years." It will be a challenging post for Ito, who assumes the reins as Honda and the overall auto industry face falling sales. The company is expecting an earnings loss of nearly 90% this year to $860 million (but at least they are still hoping to turn a profit).

Putting it mildly, it has been a turbulent time in the auto industry. Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) replaced its president in January. Mazda announced changes in management in November. And Nissan president has delegated some of his responsibilities of late. Meanwhile, on American soil ... well, we all know the saga the Big-Three is facing.

Beth Gaston Moon works for WeSeed.com, "The stock market for the rest of us." The above comments are not intended as trading or investment advice.

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Last updated: July 10, 2009: 02:35 AM

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