Oil Costs Crimp Globalization

Qatar is first reported buyer

(NEWSER) - Now that they’ve taken control of some critical oil fields and terminals, eastern Libya’s rebels are getting into the oil business. Qatar is rumored to be the first buyer, with a deal in place to buy the oil and ship it in leased tankers, the New York Times reports. Though there are sanctions on Libya, the US says it won’t block rebel oil sales, provided none of the money goes to the Libyan government. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were off today on plunges in the energy and manufacturing sectors brought on by falling oil prices, the Wall Street Journal reports. A poorly received auction of T-notes also did little to inspire confidence. The world’s largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, slipped 7% on a larger than expected loss, and the tech sector took a hit on Microsoft’s deal with Yahoo. The Dow fell 26 to 9,070.72, the S&P shed 4.49 to end at 975.13, and Nasdaq lost 7.75 to finish at 1,967.76. More»

(NEWSER) - Reports of greater-than-expected US oil reserves sent crude prices and markets tumbling today, the Wall Street Journal notes. The manufacturing sector fell, and the Dow’s energy component was off 4.1%. “People are looking at the inventory report today as a really good chance to take some money off the table,” a broker said. The Dow was off 64.67 to 8,676.20. The S&P lost 12.92 to end at 931.82. And the Nasdaq shed 10.88 to 1,825.92. More»

Low year-over-year pump prices, oil demand drive revenue down

(AP) - Exxon Mobil’s first-quarter profit fell 58% from the previous year to $4.6 billion—its lowest profit in more than 5 years—as the world's largest publicly traded oil company, along with the rest of the industry, saw gas prices deflate dramatically. This time last year crude was in the triple digits, in the midst of a historic run-up to almost $150 a barrel. But prices spent the rest of the year retreating and have hovered around $50 a barrel since March. More»

(AP) - Sarah Palin's first two years as Alaska's governor were a time of milk, honey, and crude, with sky-high oil prices pumping wealth into the state. The second half of her term isn't looking so rosy. The rapid decline of oil prices has left the state with a looming budget shortfall of up to $1.5 billion. That could have political repercussions for the former Republican vice presidential hopeful, who must stay visible in the Lower 48 if she's to have a hope in a 2012 presidential bid. More»