oil

Why Bankrupt W.R. Grace is Thriving

A company stuck in bankruptcy for 12 years may not seem like much of a catch, but investors have fallen in love with U.S. specialty chemical manufacturer W.R. Grace.

5 Sensible Ways to Combat Inflation in Retirement

Inflation may not feel like much when you are working, but it can have a significant impact on the buying power of your retirement savings. These adjustments can help you to minimize inflation's bite.

Energy Independence by 2020? Maybe -- But It Wouldn't Last

The International Energy Agency claims in its World Energy Outlook that it is now possible for the United States to become energy independent by 2020. But it's also warning that any such energy independence would be short lived -- a message that has been lost on most analysts.

U.S. May Soon Become World's Top Oil Producer

U.S. oil output is surging so fast that the United States could soon overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's biggest producer. "Five years ago, if I or anyone had predicted today's production growth, people would have thought we were crazy," says one expert.

Alaskans to Get $878 in Yearly Oil Wealth Payout

Buy an iPhone 5 or replace the leaky rain gutters? Splurge or save? Ah, the tough choices that befall Alaskans every year, when they get their dividend checks from the state's oil savings account just for living here.

Obama Seeks to Confront Oil Market Manipulation

Under pressure to take action on rising gasoline prices, President Barack Obama wants Congress to strengthen federal supervision of oil markets, increase penalties for market manipulation and empower regulators to increase the amount of money energy traders are required to put behind their transactions.

Was That Another Fracking Earthquake?

Feeling the earth move under one's feet can be unsettling, even in places where it's a natural and fairly common occurrence. But far more disconcerting is when major tremors in places unaccustomed to earthquakes can be traced to human causes like fracking.

Why Are LEGOs So Expensive?

It's a question that echoes across the Internet, on blogs and message boards, and in the content of a specialty wiki called Brickipedia: "Why are Legos so expensive?" Our search for an answer starts in Denmark, and ends in the playrooms of countless children around the world.

Oil Falls as Worries About Europe Debt Crisis Continue

Concerns about the European financial crisis are still dragging down the price of oil. Benchmark crude for July delivery fell 32 cents to $92.69 per barrel in Monday midday trading. All eyes remain on Greece, which is trying to implement tough new austerity measures necessary to keep international aid coming.

The Financial Landscape: OPEC Quotas and 'Too Big to Fail'

The theme for Thursday is big players adjusting to a changing world: Citigroup is shutting down a major hedge fund it used for soon-to-be-banned proprietary trading, Goldman has been subpoenaed over its role in the subprime mortgage crisis, and OPEC is thinking that it might need to pump more oil.

Why Beer Costs More: A Sudsy Economics Lesson

It feels like the price of a case of beer is higher than it has been since the Babylonians first started fermenting barley 6,000 years ago. But what's behind the rising prices? Turns out, the explanation requires a tour across the economic landscape -- and around the world.

Stocks Fall as European Financial Crisis Deepens

Signs that Europe's debt troubles are larger than previously thought upended financial markets Friday, sending the dollar up nearly 1% and erasing the week's stock gains. Fears of a deepening financial crisis overshadowed reports that consumers are feeling more confident in the U.S. economy and that inflation remains in check.

Why $4 a Gallon Gas Wouldn't Last Long

Not long ago, everyone knew gas was sure to reach $4 a gallon for regular on a nationwide basis soon. Now, though, that sure thing is looking iffy: Gas prices are wavering, and a number of factors at home and abroad are about to come together to push demand -- and prices -- lower.

The Motley Fool's Secret to Investing in Commodities

Investing is prone to manias and panics. Investors get excited as prices rise, and end up buying today what they should have bought years ago. The recent commodities sell-off reminded me of the rule I follow for commodities investing. Had you followed it, you'd have saved loads of money in 2008 and 2009 and made tons recently.

Oil Speculators: Manipulators or Savvy Investors?

As the price of oil has soared over the past few months, an army of commentators has accused "speculators" of manipulating the oil market to profit from the misery of the American people. But how much are these big investors to blame for our pain at the pump, and how much is simply a matter of supply and demand?

Unusual Cures for Pain at the Gas Pump

It's almost automatic: As soon as gas prices go up, the media rushes to offer suggestions for saving money on fuel. But rather than recycling all the old familiar ideas, DailyFinance asked its readers for their best suggestions to reduce pain at the pump, and you gave us some unusual options.

With Big Oil Stocks Riding High, It's Time to Take Profits

Exxon Mobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are all trading near multi-year highs, and even BP shares have done well recently. Still, while the high oil prices that have been pinching consumers have been great for the industry, there are good reasons not to count on those high stock values lasting.

Will Saudi Arabia's Gambit Drive Oil Prices Even Higher?

Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said his country cut oil production in March because the market was oversupplied. Was this move an honest bid to a bid to expose the speculators and push prices back down, or an attempt to capitalize on the current instability to propel prices higher?

Why We Sold Chinese Oil Stocks

Given rising oil costs and China's rising position as an oil consumer, betting against Chinese oil companies is a seriously contrarian move. Here's why it may also be the right way to go.

Vantage Drilling: A Good Stock

As gas prices go up and new oil wells go down, Vantage drilling looks like a promising stock. With a fresh stock of new equipment and a host of contracts around the world, the drilling contractor is poised to be a major force for the next few years.

Are Oil Prices Headed for a Big Dip?

We know some of the reasons oil currently costs over $100 a barrel -- growing Asian markets and Mideast turmoil. But a significant premium in the price of oil stems from speculation, which has recently skyrocketed as traders and fund managers seek out commodity and global growth plays.

Gas Prices Around the Globe: The Highs and the Lows

With U.S. gas prices near historic highs, Americans are anxious about the cost of filling up. But we still feel far less pain at the pump than drivers in many other developed nations. On the flip side, if you drive in the right world cities, you can still pay less than $1 a gallon.