Norway-based Integrated StatoilHydro ASA (STO) intends to start production at the Peregrino heavy-oilfield in Brazil in early 2011. The company will start drilling wells in the first half of 2010 for this purpose.  The field is situated 85 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state near Cabo Frio and has an estimated 460 million barrels of recoverable oil. The company expects peak production to reach 100,000 barrels per day in 2012.  Until 1997, foreign companies were barred from the oil blocks of Brazil. Now the scenario has changed and many international integrateds are increasing production at their Brazilian blocks. This includes Chevron (CVX), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) and ExxonMobil (XOM).  Given the maturity of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) region, where StatoilHydro has significant upstream focus, the company is looking for development of various international assets. The production from the ...

Petroleo Brasilerio, also known as Petrobras (PBR), found light crude in reserves situated in the Campos Basin off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The discovery was made by drilling well 1-BRSA-713-RJS (1-RJS-661) in Exploratory Concession BM-C-36 (block C-M-401). This block is exclusively operated by Petrobras. Preliminary analysis indicates that the Campos Basin has recoverable volumes of 280 million barrels of light oil. Geologically similar reservoirs had already been identified in the Santos Basin by drilling two wells in the Marlin Sul field. These discoveries are a result of the efforts and the modern technology that the company has been using in other production areas.  Petrobras' expertise in deepwater oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) is reflected in its outstanding production growth track record in the past as well as the production and reserves growth prospects in the future after significant ...

“First Ounce Bounce” Set to Pay 1,100% Government filing NI 43-101 is mandatory in Canada. It shows the proven reserves of any company intending to mine gold. The latest filing from a small renegade company we’ve just uncovered lists their reserves at an astounding 10.1 million ounces. It’s the biggest gold strike in Canadian history – and one of the biggest in the world. Yet few investors have seen or heard of NI 43-101 yet. Getting in before the “first ounce bounce” – when the first ounce comes out of the ground – is likely to yield an initial return of 1,100%. Go here for the full report.

Brazilians used to joke that their country was the country of the future – and always would be because a new crisis seemed to crop up every time the economy came close to fulfilling its potential.

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Obama defends his policies…Commodity currencies should outperform…Global Power Shift Index…And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Good day… And happy Thursday to everyone! Hope everyone made it through the ‘hump day’ with no worries. We started the morning here with rainshowers, but it ended up being a beautiful afternoon and evening. Currency markets were similar to the weather here, as most currencies started Wednesday in the loss column vs. the US$, but rallied as the day progressed. The dollar had strengthened over the past couple of days due to ’safe haven’ demand; but a surprisingly strong durable goods number (ex autos) combined with an ‘all clear’ signal from President Barack Obama had investors moving back into riskier assets. The commodity based currencies also got a boost as China signaled it would maintain an accommodative policy, easing speculation that the Bank of China would try to rein in bank lending. Lots to cover today, so

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Brazilian steelmakers, Gerdau S.A. (GGB) and Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (SID) have signed a memorandum of understanding with state-run oil giant Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PBR or Petrobras), to build ports in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The construction is expected to begin in 2014 with a total investment of approx US$500 million.

The steel industry in the US is in distress, but it is on the road to recovery in Brazil. An increase in export price and new domestic projects are helping Brazilian steel industry. Moreover, government’s plan to cut labor costs in the country will in a way boost industrial productivity and growth.

Domestic steel prices are falling, which is likely to facilitate the Real Estate industry. Thus, Gafisa (GFA), one of the largest builders and incorporators of Brazil, will stand to benefit in the medium- to long-term.

In June, General Motors Brazil car sales reached 55.629 vehicles,

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Having recently completed a week-long trip to the cities of São Paulo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I am struck with several observations that relate to relations with Venezuela, Russia, and the international business community.  The title of this post I borrow from Professor Marshall Eakin of Vanderbilt University, whose 1998 book does much to capture the country's long-standing hope of ascendency in global relations - this nearly permanent sensation that the country is on the cusp of major change, only to see the opportunity escape due to unfortunate coincidences and mistakes.  There are many who believe that this time Brazil's rise might be for real.I had the opportunity to meet Professor Eakin last week at lunch, ...

Best Economy in the Americas – Brazil

Tony Daltorio, The Investment U Research Team

Wall Street tends to take a very myopic view of the world – the view that the entire financial universe revolves around them and the United States. And that what goes on in other countries is unimportant.

It’s why many Wall Streeters have missed one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories in global economic history – Brazil. Brazil’s economy has gone from a “basket case” to being as solid as a Brick.

Brazil has made huge strides from the very debt-ridden, bureaucratic country of the past. Years ago, the country restructured its finances and has resisted the temptation to use economic crises, such as in neighboring Argentina, as an excuse to default on its obligations.

Yet, many on Wall Street still think of Brazil as a backwards “third-world” country that goes crazy

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We are reiterating our Buy recommendation on Gafisa S.A. (GFA). We have been encouraged by the stimulus package and the new value-added tax relief recently announced by the Brazilian government.First quarter 2009 results were positive considering the international crisis, which has affected Brazil's construction sector. The new Government Housing Program and the R$600 million debenture from Caixa Econômica will help Tenda to expand its business plan for the development of projects in the lower income sector.Throughout its first 50 years, the company has realized more than 800 enterprises, including luxury residential condominiums, commercial buildings, flats and shopping centers. In total, those properties add up to around 9 million square meters of constructed area in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Read the full analyst report on "GFA"Zacks Investment Research

Experts roundly agree that the recession is only a short-term blip in the long-term escalation of oil prices. And this time, there are 1.05 trillion reasons why oil is going to climb well past its peak last year.

Table of Contents:

Oil Production: Why OPEC’s Keeping a Lid on Production Oil Prices: Why Crude Thrives on the Diving Dollar Oil Outlook: The Coming Oil Price Shock Investing in Oil: The Best Companies, Stocks and ETFs

Oil has staged an impressive rally since dropping below $35 a barrel in mid-February. And while there remains a risk that prices will retreat further due to sluggish demand, there are also three very compelling reasons why oil is still a safe long-term bet:

OPEC has made substantial progress in reducing the amount of oil on the market. The dollar has been made vulnerable by the U.S. Federal ...

Embotelladora Andina S.A. (AKO.A) is a leading bottler and distributor of soft drinks in Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. The company also produces beer, juices, and mineral water. It owns franchised Coca-Cola territories in the metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile and neighboring provinces. In Brazil, the company operates mainly in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Vitoria.We reiterate our Buy rating on Embotelladora Andina. The company reported good results for the 4th quarter of 2008, despite the difficult economic environment. We believe this positive trend should continue in the short-to-medium term.Although the continued crisis throughout the world remains a matter of concern, the company, which is focused on low cost, daily use products, is not tied directly to the international economic cycle. The company’s strong balance sheet and healthy financial condition will help Andina to grow in the future.Read the full …