Monday, October 10, 2011

Exxon Mobil's Access Challenge

Demand has certainly been sluggish,off 2-2.5%,Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson observed.Globally,demand is about where we expected it to be.Part of what we're seeing is,the supply fundamentals are very strong now.
Our move into XTO Energy was recognition on our part of how significant unconventional resources are.We have to go out,have access to acreage and drill so we can support the economy.We spend in operating costs over a billion dollars a day.
Two-thirds of the remaining oil and 40% of natural gas lies under federal land we have no access to.The key issue is,the government controls access.
All we're looking for is tax treatment that's equal across all industries.Loopholes and subsidies are patches to fix a defect in the tax system.Let's clean all that up.
I'm not as optimistic as I was six months ago.I think the economy is gonna be sluggish in this country.Globally,we're gonna have positive growth,but it's not gonna be as robust as we had hoped.
Other governments also control access to resources.The difference is,they ask how can we get this drilling done,Rex Tillerson remarked bitterly.
Exxon Mobil recently signed an agreement with Russian oil titan Rosneft on a joint venture for exploration and production in Russia and globally.The Strategic Cooperation Agreement was signed on August 30 in Sochi,Russia in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Mr.Tillerson.The two companies have been working together for at least 15 years.
Exxon Mobil(XOM)

Debate Over Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Gets Rowdy at Washington, D, Hearing

Debate Over Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Gets Rowdy at Washington, D, Hearing

Sunday, October 9, 2011

China Continues Energy Shopping Spree

The Shanghai market reopened this morning,Monday,after the Golden Week holiday.Taiwan's market was closed for National Day,however,and Japan's markets were shuttered for Sports Day.
Sinopec,China's largest oil refiner,is purchasing Canadian firm Daylight Energy for 2.2 billion dollars Canadian.Daylight owns extensive shale gas properties,as well as oil sands and conventional oil prospects.
It is the latest in a series of Chinese acquisitions of Canadian energy assets.Sinopec also bought a 45% stake in Syncrude for 4.5 billion,while another Chinese energy firm,Cnooc,is purchasing OPTI Canada for 2.1 billion.China is aggressively seeking energy assets globally with its huge foreign currency reserves.
Canada is America's biggest oil and refined oil supplier-a fact many Americans may be ignorant of.
Over the Golden Week holiday,air travel in China fell to 8.2%,but retail sales rose 18%.China has cut fuel prices for the first time this year to rein in inflation.
In Beijing on Monday,it was 64F under clear skies.The wind was NE at 4 mph,and the humidity was 45%.
Taiwan's Yani Tseng,the world number one in the Rolex rankings,won the LPGA HanaBank Championship at the Ocean Course of the Sky 72 Golf Club in Incheon,South Korea on Sunday.Korean Na Yeon Choi,the HanaBank winner from 2009-10,came in second.
Sinopec(SHI),Daylight Energy(TSX:DAY)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Primatene Mist Doughnut Hole

Dear Readers,
Many of you have shown interest in a post about Primatene Mist that I published some time ago.I wanted to update you on the situation so that you can take the necessary measures to safeguard your health.Primatene Mist is the only asthma inhaler presently available over the counter.
Unfortunately,in accordance with FDA rules,Primatene Mist,as currently formulated with a CFC that damages the earth's protective ozone layer,must be removed from U.S. shelves by December 31,2011.The product's maker,Armstrong Pharmaceuticals,is arranging to produce a non-CFC form of the asthma inhaler,but will have to submit it for FDA approval.That means there will probably be a doughnut hole period when you will not be able to purchase this popular asthma medication in the U.S.How long this will last is anyone's guess.
In the meantime,patients will have to obtain a prescription for another inhaler.Yes,a prescription will perhaps be more expensive-especially unwelcome in these troubled economic times.At this point,the medication is still being advertised for online purchase.
Sincerely,
Andrew Taylor

Monday, October 3, 2011

Conference Board:Where The Arrow Points

The Conference Board says that economic indicators point to continued weak growth through fall and winter.The Board's Index of Leading Economic Indicators increased 0.3 in August following a 0.6 increase in July and a 0.3 increase in June.
According to CB economist Ataman Ozyildrim,the August increase was driven by components measuring financial and monetary conditions which offset substantially weaker components measuring expectations.The growth trend in the LEI has moderated and positive and negative contributors to the index have been roughly balanced.The indicators point to rising risks and volatility,and increasing concerns about the health of the expansion.
Ken Goldstein,another CB economist,said there is growing risk that sustained weak confidence could put downward pressure on demand and business activity,causing the economy to potentially dip into recession.While the chance of that happening remains below 50/50,the odds have certainly increased in recent months.
The Conference Board is a global,non-profit,independent business membership and research organization working in the public interest.It strives to provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Typhoon Bears Down on East Asia

Typhoon Nalgae has killed three people in the Philippines.Now the storm is heading across the South China Sea to Hainan Island,China and Vietnam.
Chinese financial markets are closed all week for the Golden Week holiday.China's non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index came in at 59.3,up from 57.6 the previous month,indicating growth in the service sector.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index was down 1.75 Monday morning,following the U.S. markets' lead on Friday.It has lost 18% on the year.The euro/dollar fell in early Asian trading,and the dollar/yen rose.
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was verbally attacked by hackers,who broke into her Twitter account.The hackers questioned her competence to lead.If she can't protect her Twitter account,they asked,how can she protect Thailand?She was sworn in as Thailand's 28th prime minister on August 10.
The Bank of Japan's Tankan business sentiment index showed flat to improved business confidence.
Korean American golfer Kevin Na won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.Na shot a fourth round 23 under par 65.It was his first PGA Tour win.
In Tokyo on Monday,it was 66F under scattered clouds.The wind was North at 14 mph,and the humidity was 37%.

Next Day Blinds Jobs

Next Day Blinds,a leading custom window treatments provider,has openings at its Northern Virginia and Maryland showrooms for Showroom Design Consultants to provide window treatment design solutions for customers.Paid training,uncapped performance based structure and full benefits are offered.Attend the Career Fair on Monday,October 3 from 10am to 3pm at
Next Day Blinds Corporate Office
8251 Preston Court
Jessup,MD 20794
If unable to attend,please submit resumes to
Careers@nextdayblinds.com
or fax to 240-568-8812
Next Day Blinds:Exactly right.Completely you.