energy

The secret role of energy in bringing U.S. jobs back

How a reliable grid can trump cheap wages.

By Vishesh Kumar, contributor

FORTUNE -- Rapidly rising wages in booming countries like China are setting the stage for a revival in American manufacturing. As labor costs outpace productivity abroad, companies find the U.S. to be increasingly competitive.

But the massive energy demand that results from the blistering growth in emerging economies may be compounding the impact of rising wages abroad as well.

As energy demands MORE

Five reasons to be bearish on oil stocks

With macro factors deteriorating, it's time to short oil stocks and go long the dollar.

By Lou Gagliardi, Hedgeye

We are now leaning more bearish on oil equities, mainly due to worsening macro factors. We've also turned bullish on the U.S. Dollar (USD) as the Fed's second round of quantitative easing is ending and there's little upside to the euro as the EU continues to socialize the periphery's fiscal imbalances at every MORE

End Big Oil's tax breaks now

It's time to truly level the playing field and give all forms of energy a chance to compete.

To hear some tell it, we have lost our collective appreciation for free markets. So writes CNBC anchor Joe Kernan in his new book about "defending our kids from the liberal assault on capitalism." Or former BB&T CEO John Allison, who offers $2 million grants to colleges that create "courses in capitalism." And MORE

The momentum for higher commodity prices

If you're weighing the long-term case for higher commodity prices, consider this comment from Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.

Carney's speech Monday focused on Canada's role in a changing world, but it included this aside about the price of stuff like oil, copper and grains:

The expanding urban middle class in emerging economies is having a major impact on a wide range of commodities. Whether it is travel, housing or protein, MORE

Blackstone raising $3 billion energy fund

The Blackstone Group (BX) is seeking to raise between $2 billion and $3 billion for an energy-focused private equity fund, Fortune has learned.

Blackstone already makes energy investments out of its main private equity fund, such the recently-announced $1 billion joint venture with Alta Resources to acquire and develop unconventional oil and gas assets in North America. The new vehicle will focus on slightly-smaller transactions, including some growth equity investments.

Team members will include MORE

Japan's nuclear crisis won't derail world energy markets

Even if the world scales back on development of nuclear power, it won't have a sweeping impact on energy prices. The reality is that nuclear is still small.

As crews in Japan scramble to contain what has been called the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years, governments around the world are questioning the safety of nuclear power. Germany temporarily shut down its older nuclear power stations, while China has postponed MORE

Tech-focused private equity firm gets energized

Silver Lake today became the latest private equity firm to jump into the energy investment space, announcing a new growth equity platform in partnership with Soros Fund Management. It will be led by Adam Grosser, a veteran venture capitalist who spent the past nine years with Foundation Capital -- where his deals included perennial IPO candidate Silver Spring Networks.

The Menlo Park, Calif.-based firm has been sniffing out the energy space MORE

Can the Saudis really ride to the rescue?

The fate of the global economy may hinge on surging oil production from the world's biggest exporter. But it's not clear that the Saudis have the juice.

Oil prices spiked Tuesday as violence swept Libya, raising the prospect that the world's 18th-biggest oil producer could be taken off line.

OPEC sought to ease fears of a supply shock, promising to release reserves and increase production if need be. The International Energy Agency said MORE

Top 10 energy picks for 2011

Demand for oil will continue to rise as developing economies in Asia and elsewhere fuel their rapid growth. Here's how to play a bullish outlook on oil.

by Lou Gagliardi and  Kevin Kaiser, Hedgeye

As we move into 2011, we remain bullish on crude oil fundamentals for the long term. Increases in merger and acquisition activity and in capital spending by the oil and gas industry reinforce our view. And countries MORE

Valero CEO: "We need people to get back to work"

Interview by Shelley DuBois, reporter

Valero 's (VLO) William Klesse is coming up on his fifth year as CEO, where he's worked for over 40 years. He offers some insight about how his company and the energy sector have navigated the recession, and why refining companies like Valero behave differently in the market than companies that also do exploring and refining, like BP. Klesse also talks about what energy sector investors MORE