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[Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders -- Part 3]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/22/serious-money-buffett-looking-beyond-our-borders-part-3/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/22/serious-money-buffett-looking-beyond-our-borders-part-3/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/22/serious-money-buffett-looking-beyond-our-borders-part-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

There are many places that Warren Buffett may choose to invest Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A / BRK.B) capital. At the same time you can be sure there are places he will not set foot. It is not likely he will invest anywhere that does not have a vibrant, well-established stock market with a stable government. So, Mr. Hugo Chavez in Venezuela will not likely see any capital deployed from the likes of "my pal Warren" any time soon.

As a matter of fact, I would put the chances at slim of any South American country, besides Brazil, getting a look at all. Brazil is just too big and too vibrant to ignore. I would rule out Africa entirely except for indirect investments in oil and minerals through large conglomerates. The closest thing in the region would be Israel, at the furthest western reaches of Asia. He has already invested there and there is a high probability he would again. Investors from most of Europe and Asia have done the same, although many would rather not discuss it.

He has also invested in China, Great Britain, South Korea, and Switzerland. I would expect more money to be plowed into all of them again without reservation if the right deal materialized.

Continue reading Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders -- Part 3

Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders -- Part 3 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berkshire hathawayBrazilBRK.ABRK.BfeaturedGEgeneral electricGoldman SachsGSinternational investingIsraelMexicoSerious MoneySheldon Libervalue investingTue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Make a Quick 35-40% in Tower Semiconductor]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/01/make-a-quick-35-40-in-tower-semiconductor/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/01/make-a-quick-35-40-in-tower-semiconductor/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/01/make-a-quick-35-40-in-tower-semiconductor/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's a volatile market out there, but investors shouldn't take that as a sign that they should run for the hills. The bottom line is that volatility can cut both ways -- and while most traders are more concerned with the downside risks, that shouldn't overshadow the potential for quick and substantial gains with a well-timed swing trade.

In my book, one of the best short-term buys you can make right now is a well-timed in and out in small cap tech stock Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (TSEM). Shares cost about as much as a fountain soda from the corner store, but have the potential to add a sugar rush to your portfolio very quickly.

Continue reading Make a Quick 35-40% in Tower Semiconductor

Make a Quick 35-40% in Tower Semiconductor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipscomputer chipsisraelpenny stockssemiconductorsStocks to buyTue, 01 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[It's Time to Sell China -- and Buy These Emerging Markets]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/06/sell-china-buy-igld-abv/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/06/sell-china-buy-igld-abv/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/06/sell-china-buy-igld-abv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

ChinaIt's no secret that China's phenomenal growth has been driving the global recovery. China's first-quarter GDP grew at an 11.9% annual pace despite three significant increases to reserve requirements that were designed to cool lending and growth. That's why in much of 2009 and early 2010 I was bullish on China and overweighted my global portfolios in favor of this country.

But all good things must come to an end and right now it's time to get selective about which China stocks you buy. That's why I recommend investors cut back their China holdings and look for new opportunities in emerging markets.

Continue reading It's Time to Sell China -- and Buy These Emerging Markets

It's Time to Sell China -- and Buy These Emerging Markets originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 May 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmBevBrazilchinaemerging marketsffeaturedfordIGLDIsraelLatin AmericaStocks to buyStocks to SellYONGYongyeYuheYUIIThu, 06 May 2010 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil prices fall as consumer confidence drops]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/29/oil-prices-fall-as-consumer-confidence-drops/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/29/oil-prices-fall-as-consumer-confidence-drops/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/29/oil-prices-fall-as-consumer-confidence-drops/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

falling oil pricesOil prices dropped a bit today, as investors weigh news that consumer confidence took a hit in September.

Today's move was not a sizable one, but further evidence that investors are concerned over just how strong the current economic recovery really is. News came out today that consumer confidence is down in September as more Americans are concerned over the weak job market.

Continue reading Oil prices fall as consumer confidence drops

Oil prices fall as consumer confidence drops originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer confidenceConsumerConfidenceIranisraeloiloil pricesoil suppliesOilPricesOilSuppliesunemploymentTue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A good year for oil discoveries]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/24/a-good-year-for-oil-discoveries/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/24/a-good-year-for-oil-discoveries/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/24/a-good-year-for-oil-discoveries/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

oil industryThe oil industry has been working hard to find new oil reserves, and so far this year the efforts have been paying off.

It has been a year with some major discoveries that have put the oil industry in a good position to make it the year with the highest level of new discoveries since 2000.

A big reason for the increase in discoveries is improvements in technology that has allowed oil hunters to drill deeper and break through tougher rocks than they were previously able to do.

Continue reading A good year for oil discoveries

A good year for oil discoveries originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliafeaturedGulf of MexicoGulfOfMexicoIranIraqIsraeloiloil explorationoil pricesOilExplorationOilPricesThu, 24 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Islamic groups urge boycott of Coca-Cola as Gaza Strip conflict continues]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/09/islamic-groups-urge-boycott-of-coca-cola-as-gaza-strip-conflict/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/09/islamic-groups-urge-boycott-of-coca-cola-as-gaza-strip-conflict/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/09/islamic-groups-urge-boycott-of-coca-cola-as-gaza-strip-conflict/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As violence continues to hammer the Gaza Strip, Muslim groups are calling for a boycott of goods produced by The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX), and other U.S. companies. The boycott is meant to protest the alliance between Israel and the U.S., and it comes as the U.S. embassy in Malaysia is being swarmed with thousands of angry protesters.

"We urge Muslim consumers internationally to unite so that we can teach a lesson to Israel and its allies," said Ma'amor Osman, an official with the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia. "This is to object to the arrogance and cruelty of Israel and its allies towards the Palestinians."

Additionally, the group is urging the Malaysian government to cease its contract agreements with U.S.-based firms. Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad is also jumping on the bandwagon, calling for Muslims to stop using the U.S. dollar. "If enough of us do this, then [the dollar's] value will fall, just like what they did to us in 1997," he asserted.

Continue reading Islamic groups urge boycott of Coca-Cola as Gaza Strip conflict continues

Islamic groups urge boycott of Coca-Cola as Gaza Strip conflict continues originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boycottcoca-colagaza stripGazaStripinthenewsisraelkomuslimpalestinesbuxstarbucksFri, 09 Jan 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Saudis say oil won't be used as a weapon to end Middle East crisis]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/08/saudis-say-oil-wont-be-used-as-a-weapon-to-end-middle-east-cris/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/08/saudis-say-oil-wont-be-used-as-a-weapon-to-end-middle-east-cris/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/08/saudis-say-oil-wont-be-used-as-a-weapon-to-end-middle-east-cris/#commentsFiled under: ,

The oil market breathed a minor sigh of relief Thursday after Saudi Arabia said there would be no replay of 1973-74 regarding the current Middle East crisis.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said oil "isn't a weapon" to end the conflict between Hamas and Israel, Bloomberg News reported. Prince al-Faisal said oil can't reverse the conflict, countering a call by OPEC-hawk Iran that Arab states stop producing oil as a way to pressure countries supporting Israel.

Oil continued its recent downward trek Thursday morning on the news, falling $1.58 to $41.05 per barrel. Oil hit an all-time of $147.27 per barrel in the summer of 2008.

In 1973, the Arab members of OPEC implemented an oil embargo against the United States in response to the U.S.'s decision to re-supply Israel's military during the Yom Kippur War, which Israel won. The price of oil subsequently quintupled from about $20 per barrel to about $100 per barrel in 2009 dollars (or from about $3 per barrel to $13 per barrel in 1974 dollars), creating the world's first oil shock, and triggering a U.S. recession.

The other major energy commodities also declined early Thursday. Heating oil fell 2 cents to $1.54 per gallon, unleaded gasoline decreased 3 cents to $1.07 cents per gallon, and natural gas dipped 5 cents to $5.92 per million BTUs.

Continue reading Saudis say oil won't be used as a weapon to end Middle East crisis

Saudis say oil won't be used as a weapon to end Middle East crisis originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gasoline pricesHamasinthenewsinventoriesIranIsraelnatural gasoil pricesoil shockOPECRussiaSaudi ArabiaUkraineThu, 08 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil jumps above $40 as Israeli jets pound Hamas targets for second day]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/oil-jumps-above-40-as-israeli-jets-pound-hamas-targets-for-seco/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/oil-jumps-above-40-as-israeli-jets-pound-hamas-targets-for-seco/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/oil-jumps-above-40-as-israeli-jets-pound-hamas-targets-for-seco/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Oil surged 12% to $42.20 per barrel early Monday, before easing some to $40.24, as Israeli jets continued to knock out Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Energy Trader Jim Dietz said the raids, aimed at destroying rockets fired by Hamas into Israel and eliminating other Hamas strongholds, have the capacity to change the oil market's dynamic, if a cease-fire cannot be reached or if the conflict escalates.

"It certainly can be a game-changer regarding the oil market. We're likely to move higher obviously on geopolitical tension, but at this stage it's too soon to tell if there will be a unified response from oil producing nations in the Middle East or other ramifications," Dietz said.

The other major energy commodities also jumped on the Israel / Hamas conflict early Monday. Heating oil rose 7 cents to $1.32 per gallon, unleaded gasoline increased 6 cents to 91 cents per gallon, and natural gas gained 17 cents to $6.00 per million BTUs.

Continue reading Oil jumps above $40 as Israeli jets pound Hamas targets for second day

Oil jumps above $40 as Israeli jets pound Hamas targets for second day originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>energygasoline pricesGaza StripHamasinthenewsIsraeloiloil pricesOPECMon, 29 Dec 2008 12:30:00 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[Before the Bell: Stocks up as violence rages in Middle East, GMAC looks for financing]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/before-the-bell-stocks-advance-amidst-troubling-data/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/before-the-bell-stocks-advance-amidst-troubling-data/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/before-the-bell-stocks-advance-amidst-troubling-data/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

U.S. stock market futures gained at the start of the last trading week of the year. The rally may be short-lived given that many traders have taken the week between Christmas and New Year's off. Stock markets in Europe and Asia advanced as well.

Oil prices are rising amidst growing worries about the clash between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In early trading today, oil topped $40 as the death toll in the clash reached 300. Whether the conflict will boost prices at the pump remains to be seen. Members of OPEC are expected to cut production further to boost prices, which are down more than 70 percent since July. Prices may fall further as the economic slowdown further erodes demand.

Meanwhile, faith in the global economy was further undermined by the decision Sunday of Kuwait's government to cancel a $17.4 billion joint venture with Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE: DOW). Shares of the Michigan-based company and Rohm & Haas Co. (NYSE: ROH), which Dow agreed to buy earlier this year for $15.4 billion, fell in pre-market action.

GMAC has given no word about whether bondholders approved a debt exchange program that would give the financing arm of General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) with access to the $700 billion financial bailout program for financial institutions.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Stocks up as violence rages in Middle East, GMAC looks for financing

Before the Bell: Stocks up as violence rages in Middle East, GMAC looks for financing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>before the bellBeforeTheBellDJIADOWECONOMYGMGMAChamasisraelKuwaitNASDAQNYSEROHMon, 29 Dec 2008 08:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil moves higher to start off the week as concerns grow over supply]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/oil-moves-higher-to-start-off-the-week-as-concerns-grow-over-sup/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/oil-moves-higher-to-start-off-the-week-as-concerns-grow-over-sup/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/28/oil-moves-higher-to-start-off-the-week-as-concerns-grow-over-sup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Since the middle of July we have been able to breathe a little sigh of relief as oil prices have been heading lower from the recent record highs. However, this morning oil prices are getting a slight boost as traders try to digest additional supply concerns.

Lately, it has been hard to discuss the state of oil prices without mentioning Iran and its controversial President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and that holds true again this morning. Over the weekend, the leader of the Islamic Republic caused even more tension over his country's nuclear program.

Iran has been claiming for the past couple of years that it has only peaceful intentions regarding its nuclear program, but of course the rest of the world, in particular Israel and the United States have voiced openly their distrust, and have claimed Iran has a more sinister intention ... nuclear weapons.

Continue reading Oil moves higher to start off the week as concerns grow over supply

Oil moves higher to start off the week as concerns grow over supply originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gasolineinthenewsIranIsraeloiloil pricesoil suppliesOilPricesOilSuppliesOPECMon, 28 Jul 2008 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil hits record ($145.98) above $147 on Nigeria unrest, Israel / Iran tension]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/oil-hits-record-145-98-on-nigeria-unrest-israel-iran-tension/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/oil-hits-record-145-98-on-nigeria-unrest-israel-iran-tension/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/oil-hits-record-145-98-on-nigeria-unrest-israel-iran-tension/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Oil rose more than $4 a barrel early Friday morning to a record $145.98 on concerns that Israel may be preparing to attack Iran and on supply concerns in Nigeria and Brazil.
[Update: Oil prices continued to climb, reaching a record of $147.03 a barrel, and this may not be the last update.]

Oil came within a whisker of $146 per barrel after Israeli fighter jets reportedly practiced over Iraq according to Iraqi and Iranian sources. This, however, was enough to increase speculation among traders that Israel is preparing to launch a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

The United States and the European Union want Iran to end uranium enrichment, a technology that would give Iran the materials needed to produce a nuclear bomb. Iran says it wants the nuclear technology solely to produce electricity for civilian use. If one discounts oil sands, Iran has the world's second largest proved oil reserves, after Saudi Arabia.

Oil was also fanned higher by threats of additional Nigerian civil unrest and Brazilian oil union's plan to start a 5-day strike, Bloomberg News reported Friday.

The other major energy commodities, likewise, also jumped in early Friday morning trading. Heating oil surged 8 cents to $4.12 per gallon, unleaded gasoline rose 6 cents to $357 per gallon, and natural gas jumped 16 cents to $12.53 per million BTUs.

Continue reading Oil hits record ($145.98) above $147 on Nigeria unrest, Israel / Iran tension

Oil hits record ($145.98) above $147 on Nigeria unrest, Israel / Iran tension originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brazilgasoline pricesinthenewsIranIsraelNigeriaoiloil pricesoil shockUnited NationsFri, 11 Jul 2008 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil bounces on news of Iranian missile test]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/oil-bounces-on-news-of-iranian-missile-test/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/oil-bounces-on-news-of-iranian-missile-test/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/oil-bounces-on-news-of-iranian-missile-test/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

The past couple of trading days it started to look as though oil had finally run out of steam and was coming back to "reasonable" levels. Well, prices are moving higher once again today following news that Iran has test-launched 9 missiles today.

After heading up to $145 a barrel last week, oil had fallen nicely over the past two trading sessions, and as of last night prices were down at $136.04. Today, oil is moving up $1.63 a barrel as the market once again is facing the hard reality of an unpredictable future in the Middle East.

Iran has been all over the news over the past couple of years, and the main theme is the country's nuclear energy ambitions. The West, and Israel, have been claiming for a long time now that Iran has one goal in mind... nuclear weapons. But Iran has been defiant in its claims that it is only after nuclear energy and that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful means.

Continue reading Oil bounces on news of Iranian missile test

Oil bounces on news of Iranian missile test originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsIranIsraelmilitarynuclearoiloil pricesOilPricesUnited StatesUnitedStatesWed, 09 Jul 2008 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil rises above $142 on reduced IEA supply forecast, Israel-Iran tension]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/oil-rises-above-142-on-reduced-iea-supply-forecast-israel-iran/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/oil-rises-above-142-on-reduced-iea-supply-forecast-israel-iran/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/oil-rises-above-142-on-reduced-iea-supply-forecast-israel-iran/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Oil prices rose above $142 on a lowered supply estimate and tension between Israel and Iran over Iran's nuclear program.

Oil rose $2.06 to $142.06 per barrel after the International Energy Agency predicted that spare capacity in OPEC will shrink by 2013, keeping the oil market "tight."

Oil bulls were also motivated to hit the buy button after ABC News reported that Israel may attack Iran's nuclear facilities if Iran acquires enough uranium to build a nuclear weapon, citing a Pentagon source who spoke on condition he not be identified.

The other major energy commodities also vaulted higher Tuesday at mid-day on the news. Heating oil rose 8 cents to $3.97 per gallon, unleaded gasoline increased about 5 cents to $3.54 per gallon, and natural gas added 20 cents to $13.55 per million BTUs.

Continue reading Oil rises above $142 on reduced IEA supply forecast, Israel-Iran tension

Oil rises above $142 on reduced IEA supply forecast, Israel-Iran tension originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgasoline pricesIEAInternational Energy AgencyIranIsraeloil pricesoil shockOPECTue, 01 Jul 2008 13:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil rises above $136 on weaker dollar, report of Israeli military exercises]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/20/oil-rises-above-136-on-weaker-dollar-report-of-israeli-militar/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/20/oil-rises-above-136-on-weaker-dollar-report-of-israeli-militar/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/20/oil-rises-above-136-on-weaker-dollar-report-of-israeli-militar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Oil surged $4.27 to $136.20 per barrel Friday after the dollar fell and reports confirmed that Israel had conducted a military exercise that analysts say rehearsed a potential bombing attack on nuclear targets in Iran, Bloomberg News reported Friday.

The other major energy commodities also surged Friday on the news. Heating oil jumped 11 cents to $3.82 per gallon, unleaded gasoline gained 8 cents to $3.43 per gallon, and natural gas climbed 26 cents to $13.12 per million BTUs.

Short-circuited oil sell-off

Under most circumstances, oil rises when the dollar falls, as holders of oil, which is priced in dollars, raise their prices to compensate for the reduced purchasing power of the dollar. The dollar Friday was set to record 3-cent weekly declines against the euro and British pound.

Further, geopolitical events re-entered the oil stage. Israel undertook a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, The New York Times reported Friday.

Continue reading Oil rises above $136 on weaker dollar, report of Israeli military exercises

Oil rises above $136 on weaker dollar, report of Israeli military exercises originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>British pounddollareurogasoline pricesinthenewsIranIsraelNigeriaoil pricesoil shockRDS.ARoyal Dutch ShellFri, 20 Jun 2008 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ivanka Trump heads to Israel to check out real estate opportunities]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/30/ivanka-trump-heads-to-israel-to-check-out-real-estate-opportunit/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/30/ivanka-trump-heads-to-israel-to-check-out-real-estate-opportunit/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/30/ivanka-trump-heads-to-israel-to-check-out-real-estate-opportunit/#commentsFiled under:

Ivanka Trump -- the daughter of comedy icon Donald Trump and a director at his flailing casino company, Trump Entertainment Resorts (NASDAQ: TRMP) -- is back from a trip to Israel where she was scouting out possible investment opportunities.

In an interview with Haaretz.com, she said that it was her first trip to Israel and that she saw tremendous opportunities for investment in Israel. If you care about her opinions on the US market, she feels that "now is the time to buy" and that prices will "go right back up."

It was only a few years ago that the Israeli government established the laws to make real estate investments trusts available there. Excellence Investments' "REIT 1" became the first REIT to trade on the Tel Aviv stock exchange.

Once an Israeli REIT lists its stock on the US market as an ADR, American investors will have an easy opportunity to follow Ivanka into Israel.

Ivanka Trump heads to Israel to check out real estate opportunities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 May 2008 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Donald TrumpDonaldTrumpinthenewsIsraelIvanka TrumpIvankaTrumpTRMPTrumpFri, 30 May 2008 16:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Water and jobs to stimulate Middle East peace]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/29/water-and-jobs-to-stimulate-middle-east-peace/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/29/water-and-jobs-to-stimulate-middle-east-peace/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/29/water-and-jobs-to-stimulate-middle-east-peace/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

A story yesterday in Business Week, A Mideast Valley of Peace discussed how the development of a $3 billion canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea is gaining some traction. There is both Arab and Israeli support for the idea which would bring industry, tourism, and most importantly water through desalination plants to a very thirsty location.

http://images.businessweek.com/story/08/600/0528_resort_mockup.jpg

According to the report the ambitious project is being energized by 60-year-old billionaire Itzhak Tshuva, who was born into a poor family of 11 who crammed into a single room after immigrating to Israel from Libya in the 1940s. He went on to build a global real estate empire that includes New York's Plaza Hotel, as well as a recently announced $8 billion luxury hotel, retail, residential, and casino complex on the Las Vegas Strip.

Equally important, the project is getting a warm reception in parts of the Arab world. This so-called Valley of Peace is part of a 520-kilometer (323-mile) corridor being proposed by Israeli President Shimon Peres for regional economic development. Peres says he has received letters of support from both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan's King Abdullah II. And according to Israeli press reports, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal -- known for his investments in Western icons such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) -- recently told Tshuva that he will support the project through Jordan.

Continue reading Water and jobs to stimulate Middle East peace

Water and jobs to stimulate Middle East peace originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 May 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Berkshire HathawayBerkshireHathawayBRK.ABRK.BDead SeaDeadSeaGEGeneral ElectricGeneralElectricinthenewsIsraelItzhak TshuvaItzhakTshuvaJordanmiddle east peaceMiddleEastPeaceRed SeaRedSeaSheldon LiberSheldonLiberShimon PeresShimonPeresWarren BuffettWarrenBuffettThu, 29 May 2008 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[In a down market it feels good to get one M&A right]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/07/in-a-down-market-it-feels-good-to-get-one-manda-right/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/07/in-a-down-market-it-feels-good-to-get-one-manda-right/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/07/in-a-down-market-it-feels-good-to-get-one-manda-right/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Readers of IsraelNewsletter.com know that one of the Israeli firms we follow is Gilat Satellite (NASDAQ: GILT). In fact, my colleague Aaron Katzman and I have featured Gilat here on BloggingStocks and gave a synopsis of what we felt was the long case for Gilat.

We've speculated for months that Gilat was about to be acquired for a premium over its current stock price. The Israeli communications provider has been very active from a sales point of view, landing deals with the U.S. Postal Service, building a network for Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and expanding its global distribution. It had turned down offers earlier last year. Prominent hedge fund, York Capital, owned a big chunk of Gilat's debt, which it converted into stock last year, making it a 30% holder. Pretty bullish signal for Gilat.

Well, the firm announced that it is to be acquired by a group of investors for $11.40/share recently. I'm blogging this less as giving us a pat on the back (though, it does feel good to get one right) but to point out an interesting part of the deal.

The deal isn't supposed to close for another six months or so. Interestingly, in a squirmy market, this stock is trading almost 7% down from its acquisition price. A 6% return for six months, or an annualized 12%, isn't a bad return if you think the deal is going to go through. I won't handicap this deal, but the consortium appears serious about its offer and its ability to get the deal done. In a bad market, it's very possible that a deal like this falls through. We saw a similar thing occur with ECI Telecom, an Israeli buyout last year, that traded almost 10% below its purchase price leading right up to the deal.

Worth taking a look and doing the research.

Zack Miller is the managing editor of IsraelNewsletter.com and a former equity analyst for a leading multinational hedge fund.

In a down market it feels good to get one M&A right originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealsgilatgiltisraelmatechnologyvzMon, 07 Apr 2008 14:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Blue playing the role of Big Brother, wants to know where you drive]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/27/big-blue-playing-the-role-of-big-brother-wants-to-know-where-yo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/27/big-blue-playing-the-role-of-big-brother-wants-to-know-where-yo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/27/big-blue-playing-the-role-of-big-brother-wants-to-know-where-yo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With the pervasive use of computers in our lives, the line between what's mine and yours sometimes gets blurred. I read an interesting post on TechDirt today that describes a patent that Big Blue, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) was awarded. The article, entitled "IBM Patents Real-Time Auto Insurance Surcharges," describes the patent as "Location-Based Vehicle Risk Assessment System, which describes how surcharges will be added to your auto insurance premium when a GPS device reports that you drove into an area in IBM's bad neighborhood database."

While this certainly sounds invasive, it's part of a larger trend in the insurance industry that actually benefits us consumers. In fact, I've written before about Pointer Telocation Limited (Nasdaq: PNTR), a small Israeli firm that markets technology similar to that of Lo-Jack's. In my interview with the Pointer Chairman, Yossi Ben Shalom told investors about a project underway in the U.S. called "Pay as You Go," in which insurance companies are testing programs with technology providers like Pointer that would revolutionize the auto insurance industry.

According to Ben Shalom, "Some people in the industry are talking about a discount or incentive program to build insurance policies on a multitude of parameters. Instead of just selling a policy based on the collective risk profile of the insured, "Pay as You Go" would calibrate premiums on a month-to-month basis based on specific data on how and who drove the car. Imagine a policy that didn't charge a family with a 16-year old driver when he didn't drive the car that month. Which roads the insured drove on, who drove the car, when the car was driven - all this data can be supplied via Pointer equipment to an insurance firm. There are some small pilot tests going on currently which we are involved in. Right now, we're talking about a very small percentage of the overall market but this could be a big driver for Pointer in the future because you need our technology for this."

Looks like IBM wants to get in on a project that could ultimately lower our auto insurance premiums. Clearly, no one wants their insurance company or anyone spying on them but with the right incentives and consumer protections, this new technology and new program could be great, no?

Zack Miller is the managing editor of IsraelNewsletter.com and a former equity analyst for a leading multinational hedge fund.

Big Blue playing the role of Big Brother, wants to know where you drive originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ibminsuranceisraelpntrpointer telocationPointerTelocationsoftwareThu, 27 Mar 2008 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Elbit Systems: Dutch win could be NATO springboard]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/27/elbit-systems-dutch-win-could-be-nato-springboard/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/27/elbit-systems-dutch-win-could-be-nato-springboard/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/27/elbit-systems-dutch-win-could-be-nato-springboard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The news today the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT) signed a $40 million deal with the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) is not just the latest in a string of new deals for Elbit, but could help the company penetrate the NATO countries as well.

Elbit Systems will supply systems to the RNLA's ground forces that will include enhanced tactical computers (ETCs), incorporating tactical communication devices, and data communication software. The systems will be installed in more then 1,800 of the RNLA's vehicles, including tanks, armoured vehicles, and others. The project involves extensive cooperation with the Netherlands MoD's C2 Support Centre.

Commenting on the deal, Bezhalel Machlis, Corporate VP & General Manager Land Systems & C4I Division, Elbit Systems said: "Winning the tender to supply Battlefield Management Systems to the Netherlands MoD constitutes another step in establishing our position as leader in the C4I fast growing and developing market. Elbit Systems' BMS systems are in use today by over 20 militaries worldwide and we view this contract awarded by the Netherlands MoD, a leading country in NATO, as a springboard to potential future business in this market."

Elbit has been signing deals all over the place, but if they can crack NATO member countries defense budgets, this stock will soar higher.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. DISCLOSURE: Writer has a position and is long ESLT. He has no positions in any other stock mentioned as of 1/27/08

Elbit Systems: Dutch win could be NATO springboard originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield managent systemsBezhalel MachlisdefenseElbitElbit SystemsESLTisraelNATONetherlandsRNLARoyal Netherlands ArmySun, 27 Jan 2008 10:40:00 EST