Not all components of GDP are created equal. Some are very big, and others relatively small. Some tend to be very stable over time, and some tend to swing violently from quarter to quarter. The bigger and more volatile they are, the more they will impact the overall growth rate of GDP. Thus looking at just the percentage changes in the components does not tell the full story. Of the 3.5% total growth, how many points were added or subtracted by each part of the economy? The biggest part of the economy is the Consumer, or PCE -- overall it contributed 2.36 of the 3.50 points of total growth. In the second quarter it caused 0.62 of the 0.70 total decline in the 2Q. In the first quarter it actually offset 0.44 points of the 6.40 total decline. In other words, excluding the Consumer the economy would ...

Alberta-based Nexen Inc. (NXY) recently completed three well drilling programs in the Dilly Creek area of the Horn River shale gas property. Following the success of its drilling program in the last two winters, the company now has five wells in this area. These wells currently produce 15 million to 20 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d).

Nexen has been actively increasing its shale gas exposure. In the recent past, the company has accumulated nearly 126,000 net acres of land in an emerging Devonian shale gas play in the Horn River Basin in northeast British Columbia.

The Horn River Basin has the potential to be one of the most significant shale gas plays in North America. Nexen has approximately 88,000 acres in the Dilly Creek area with a 100% working interest. The land position in the area could support up to 500-700 wells. The company estimates its lands

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Now that the stock market has soared 40% from its March lows, almost no one can seem to remember what they were so worried about. By contrast, now that the price of natural has collapsed 40% in the last seven months, almost no one can remember why they ever worried about an energy shortage.

Mr. Market is about to heal America’s collective amnesia.

Investors will once again remember why they were selling stocks last March, and they will also remember why they used to invest in natural gas.

Share prices have gained a lot of ground during the last few months, even though the economy has not. The major averages have rallied about 40%, but many stocks are up a whole lot more than that. Seventeen of the thirty-three stocks I have recommended to the subscribers have gained more than 50% since those March lows. Eight are up

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Morningstar analyst Kish Patel believes these four Canadian Energy companies are ON SALE:

Sponsored by:

ECA) It’s a difficult feat to find a major natural-gas play in North America where EnCana hasn’t already established a dominant acreage position. From northeast British Columbia (home of the Montney tight gas and Horn River shale gas plays) to the prolific east Texas region (the Deep Bossier play), EnCana has an enviable opportunity set. What separates it from most of is peers is its patience with reservoir evaluation and its technical innovation. Add high-quality in-situ oil sands assets that will get spun out

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