EOG Resources Inc. (EOG) reported third-quarter earnings of 81 cents per share, compared with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents and a year-ago profit of $2.34. Before adjusting one-time items, earnings were 2 cents per share. Despite an increase in production volumes, earnings were down from the year-earlier level due primarily to significantly lower commodity price realizations.

Total volumes during the quarter increased approximately 4% year-over-year to 195.9 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), or 2,129 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d), 76% of which was natural gas and 24% liquids. Natural gas volumes decreased 3% year-over-year, led by an approximately 6% decrease in the U.S. volumes to 1,128 MMcf/d, and more than 2% decrease in Canadian volumes to 219 MMcf/d.

Crude oil and condensate production during the quarter was 59.5 thousand barrels per day (MBbl/d), up nearly 23% from the year-ago level. This was primarily driven by a

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Spectra Energy Corporation (SE) reported its third quarter results of 30 cents per share, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents and the year-earlier quarter earnings of 49 cents. Earnings came in above expectations on the back of contribution from the company’s fee-based businesses.  The U.S. Transmission segment posted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of $239 million, up more than 10% year over year. The segment benefited from business expansion projects and capitalization of previously expensed project development costs. These positives were partially offset by lower gas processing revenues as a result of lower prices and volumes. Distribution segment reported EBIT of $48 million, up 9% year over year, driven by higher storage and transportation revenues.  Western Canada Transmission & Processing segment reported EBIT of $84 million, down 25.7% from the year-earlier level. Improved revenues in the fee-based gathering and processing business were ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 6, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the latest Industry Outlook. Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Oil & Gas sector, including CNOOC Ltd. (CEO), China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec (SNP), Cameron International (CAM), Nabors (NBR) and Patterson-UTI (PTEN).

A synopsis of today’s Industry Outlook is presented below. The full article can be read at http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/26953/Oil+%26amp%3B+Gas+Industry.

The strengthening oil price environment should benefit producers, particularly those international players having attractive growth opportunities in their home markets. Two such standout names are China’s CNOOC Ltd. (CEO) and China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec (SNP), both of which remain well-placed to benefit from the country’s growing appetite for energy.

CNOOC enjoys a monopoly on exploration activities in China’s very prospective offshore region in addition to having a growing presence

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In my previous post, “CrudeOil To Kill The Market Rally, Economy?”, I analyzed the effect of crude prices on the markets. The charts clearly showed that $70 crude had an effect on the market, and $90 crude tanked it.

At that time, I mentioned that crude oil has broken out of a triangle pattern at around $75, and look to be heading much higher, with price targets around $96 for a 50% fibonacci retracement.

Since that time, crude oil has shot up past $80 per barrel, and has formed my favorite chart pattern of all. A bullish flag. Bullish flags are highly reliable patterns with good price predictability. Take a look at this video, and you’ll see the bullish flag predicts crude oil to hit $96.50, which coincides nicely with my prediction on

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OUTLOOK The improving economic scene, both here in the U.S. as well as worldwide, is the main driver of the current oil rally that has seen the commodity settling around the $80 per barrel level. But high levels of product inventories (particularly gasoline), along with still higher supplies, will limit any sustained crude gains, in our view. But way too many factors weigh on oil prices, from OPEC decisions and geostrategic tensions to the value of the U.S. dollar and seasonal variables, to definitively size up each one of them for their respective impact on prices.  In its latest release, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a less-than-anticipated increase in crude stockpiles, which rose by 800,000 barrels for the week ending October 23. However, current crude oil stocks, at 339.9 million barrels, still remain 9% above the year-earlier level as well as above the upper limit ...

Many investors often look to the larger oil and gas developers for a safe investment, and in a certain sense these types of companies are perhaps one of your more safe investments. Energy after all is always a need. There are, however, companies on the verge that may make better investments as they move forward with production and development plans. While some may look left at these more main-stream players, looking right for those companies that may be in the right place at the right time may be a bit more profitable. Care needs to be taken and research done, but if one picks wisely, profit will be there.

American Oil & Gas Inc., an oil and gas exploration company, works to explore and develop crude oil and natural gas deposits primarily in Colorado and Wyoming. The company holds natural gas interests through its American Tower Inc. subsidiary but is generally

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 5, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the latest Industry Outlook. Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Alternative Energy sector, including Evergreen Solar Inc. (ESLR), JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd. (JASO), A-Power Energy Generation System (APWR), LDK Solar Company Ltd. (LDK) and First Solar Inc. (FSLR).

A synopsis of today’s Industry Outlook is presented below. The full article can be read at http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/26898/Alternative+Energy.

Alternative energy stock prices generally rise and fall in direct proportion to the price of crude oil. While in times of high oil prices this may present an opportunity, it also increases volatility in the sector.

Industry-wide excess solar cell and module capacity have led to stockpiling across the board. As a result, we think the performance of companies such as Evergreen Solar Inc. (ESLR), JA Solar Holdings Co

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OUTLOOK The Alternative Energy industry is going through a recovery after absorbing the global recession and the cascading fall in global crude oil prices. Earlier this year, quite a few alternative energy companies were in the trough. Though these companies have recovered from their lows, their valuations are still significantly lower than their 52-week highs. The growth of alternative energy companies is closely tied to the fortunes of the economy. In its latest release, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted that total U.S. electricity consumption will decline by 3.3% in 2009 before growing by 1.3% in 2010 as the improving economy coaxes a gradual recovery in electricity sales. In fiscal 2008, annual U.S. photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity grew by 63% year-over-year, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 792MW. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) -- the U.S. trade association representing close to 500 companies ...

Perfect Portfolio Update

The month of October produced solid gains for The Perfect Portfolio. The four markets we track in this portfolio are all ETF’s. We believe that this is a very conservative portfolio and one that will produce excellent returns in the next 36 months.

So how did we do in October?

The big winner for us was USO, the ETF that tracks crude oil. This market produced our best return of the month with a gain of 8.86%. Next in line was the gold ETF, GLD. This particular market produced a gain of 3.72%. Third is the ETF market that tracks the Euro symbol, FXE. This market showed a modest gain of .53% for the month. The only loser for the month was the ETF that tracks the S&P 500. You may remember that this market was slammed on the last day of trading in October.

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Hess Corp. (HES) reported third-quarter earnings of 74 cents per diluted share, easily beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents. However, the result was much lower than the year-ago earnings of $2.37. Before adjusting for one-time items, the company posted earnings per share of $1.05.  The Exploration and Production (E&P) segment posted a $397 million profit in the quarter, compared to $699 million in the year-earlier quarter. Results were negatively impacted by significant declines in commodity prices and other incremental costs.  Quarterly crude oil and natural gas production, on an oil equivalent barrel basis, was 420,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOE/d) - 74% liquids and 26% natural gas - up more than 16% year-over-year and more than 3% sequentially.  Worldwide crude oil realization per barrel during the quarter was $56.07 (including the impact of hedging), up 14% sequentially, but down approximately 40% ...