From the monthly archives:

August 2008

This proves how serious China is about securing access to the natural resources it needs to fuel it growth ambitions.
The Iraqi government and the China National Petroleum Corporation have signed a contract that could be worth up to $3 billion.

Oil Rises, Heads for Biggest Weekly Gain in Two Months as Storm Shuts Rigs Crude oil headed for its biggest weekly gain in almost two months and natural gas rose as producers evacuated rigs before the arrival of Gustav, forecast to be the largest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Katrina.
U.S. Reviews Its [...]

Freedom of the press in China?

by Tony Sagami on August 29, 2008

in Asian Market, Stock Market in China

One of China’s biggest Olympic disappointments was its men’s soccer team. Several of China’s newspapers have been critical of that team, but the Chinese government doesn’t like it.
The Central Propaganda Department (what a name!) has ordered major news organizations to cease their criticism of the soccer team.

China’s largest retail drugstore, China Nepstar, reported better than expected profits and very rapid growth by opening 244 stores in the last in the last 90 days.

Motorola stumbles in China

by Tony Sagami on August 28, 2008

in Asian Market, Stock Market in China

Motorola likes to brag how great it is doing in China. The truth is they are not.
Motorola’s market share in China has dropped from 21% in 2006 to an estimated 7.9% this year.
Who’s winning? Nokia has 38% of the market and Samsung is a distant second at 8.3%.

China has plans for 24 nuclear plants and outline proposals for another 76, says the International Energy Agency.
China isn’t the only country looking to solve its energy problems with nuclear power, so take a look at uranium companies.

Uh-Oh … From Russia, With Anger

by Sean Brodrick on August 28, 2008

in Housing Market

Gee, who woulda thought that if you continually poke a bear with a stick, he gets ticked off …
Russia May Cut Off Oil Flow to the West Reports have begun to circulate in Moscow that Russian oil companies are under orders from the Kremlin to prepare for a supply cut to Germany and [...]

Have a Good, Long Weekend

by Sean Brodrick on August 28, 2008

in General

Have a great weekend. Soak up some sun!

Bearish news on energy

by Sean Brodrick on August 28, 2008

in General

Oil prices are cratering today; I guess investors think the bad news is factored in. I kind of expected this investor reaction, which is why I got my RCE subs out of DIG on Monday, and I’m glad I did.
And it’s not just oil. Bearish news (short-term, anyway) on natural gas continues to roll in. [...]

A Fresh Dividend Announcement from Cablevision

by Nilus Mattive on August 28, 2008

in Dividend Stock

To further highlight a point I’ve been hammering home — namely, that plenty of companies continue to pay out nice dividends — take a look at Cablevision’s recent announcement …
In an effort to shore up investor confidence and reward current shareholders, the cable operator will BEGIN paying a dividend starting this September.
Nice!