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Posted (edited)

Some of them do....billion dollar profits are nothing compared to gross revenue and investment.

No it's not...

The average net profit margin for the S&P Energy sector, according to figures from Thomson Baseline, is 9.7%. The average for the S&P 500 is 8.5%. So yes, energy companies are more profitable than many others...but not by an inordinate amount.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/29/markets/thebuzz/

The S&P Energy sector includes more than just the oil sector, chief.

But I am interested in hearing your theory on how an industry with an alleged 10% profit margin can absorb wild fluctuations in commodity pricing that far exceed 10%, yet still remain consistently (and massively) profitable.

Edited by SF/PF

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -4.88

Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.15

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Posted (edited)

The S&P Energy sector includes more than just the oil sector, chief.

Cheif, eh? Not very original. And. yea...that's why it's called the S&P Energy Sector.

But I am interested in hearing your theory on how an industry with an alleged 10% profit margin can absorb wild fluctuations in commodity pricing that far exceed 10%, yet still remain consistently (and massively) profitable.

Same as any other industry. We have seen several large consolidations with oil companies, oil services contractors, and refineries. The Seven Sisters no longer exist.

Exxon-Mobil's total profit margin, by year:

'98: 4.8%

'99: 4.3%

'00: 7.6%

'01: 7.2%

'02: 5.6%

'03: 8.7%

'04: 8.5%

'05: 10.1%

'06: 10.8%

'07: 10.0%

Government taxes, particularly in Canada, are bigger than any percentage of "Big Oil" profits.

Edited by bush_cheney2004

Economics trumps Virtue. 

 

Posted

Nope...

So you're saying resources aren't a provincial responsibility? That the feds can do what they want with them?

"A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."

-- George Bernard Shaw

"There is no point in being difficult when, with a little extra effort, you can be completely impossible."

Posted

We have seen several large consolidations with oil companies, oil services contractors, and refineries. The Seven Sisters no longer exist.

Do your numbers account for this? Short term profitability is greatly reduced when shelling out large amounts of cash to buy up competitors. What do you suppose it does for long term profitability?

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -4.88

Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.15

Posted

Do your numbers account for this? Short term profitability is greatly reduced when shelling out large amounts of cash to buy up competitors. What do you suppose it does for long term profitability?

I would hope it enhances long term profitability, otherwise it's a bad decision. Lean times in the oil business leads to consolidation just like any other business sector. The whole idea is to emerge stronger and better positioned on the other end.

Accordingly, Exxon-Mobil's huge profits are a matter of scale, not obscene margins.

Economics trumps Virtue. 

 

Posted

I would hope it enhances long term profitability, otherwise it's a bad decision. Lean times in the oil business leads to consolidation just like any other business sector. The whole idea is to emerge stronger and better positioned on the other end.

Accordingly, Exxon-Mobil's huge profits are a matter of scale, not obscene margins.

If Big Oil Co bought out a bunch of competitors one year and ended up shelling out more than they earned in revenues that year, wouldn't it be just a little misleading to claim that Big Oil Co. lost money that year? I mean, I suppose it may be technically true. But it certainly wouldn't be a very accurate or meaningful representation of the situation.

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -4.88

Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.15

Posted

If Big Oil Co bought out a bunch of competitors one year and ended up shelling out more than they earned in revenues that year, wouldn't it be just a little misleading to claim that Big Oil Co. lost money that year? I mean, I suppose it may be technically true. But it certainly wouldn't be a very accurate or meaningful representation of the situation.

Depends on the merger, acquisition, or divestiture. The chart of accounts has numerous line items that could be said to "hide profits", but this is accepted accounting methodology. Companies in the oil business can and do go bankrupt. British Petroleum had to divest assets to survive the present and pending liability from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. It's not all peaches and cream out there in the oil patches of the world.

Economics trumps Virtue. 

 

Posted

So you're saying resources aren't a provincial responsibility? That the feds can do what they want with them?

Nope...

There are none so blind, deaf and dumb as those that fail to recognize, understand, and promote TRUTH...- GWiz

Posted

Nope...

I see. I must be missing something. Obviously things are subject to different rules if done by Liberals.

"A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."

-- George Bernard Shaw

"There is no point in being difficult when, with a little extra effort, you can be completely impossible."

Posted

I see. I must be missing something. Obviously things are subject to different rules if done by Liberals.

Nope again... Same rules and regs. that applied with Sakatchewan's potash industry... Or now the takeover of the TSX...

There are none so blind, deaf and dumb as those that fail to recognize, understand, and promote TRUTH...- GWiz

Posted

Nope again... Same rules and regs. that applied with Sakatchewan's potash industry... Or now the takeover of the TSX...

As well as both mining conglomerates I grew up around. INCO and Falconbridge are now both foreign owned. Canada's largest nickle deposit (the largest on the planet really) does not even belong to Canada now.

Like what we saw in the USA, we are now seeing in Canada with the sell off of our natural resources. This trend needs to the stopped immediately and reversed.

Posted (edited)

As well as both mining conglomerates I grew up around. INCO and Falconbridge are now both foreign owned. Canada's largest nickle deposit (the largest on the planet really) does not even belong to Canada now.

Like what we saw in the USA, we are now seeing in Canada with the sell off of our natural resources. This trend needs to the stopped immediately and reversed.

Totally agree...

I make special NOTE that any TIME Canada has a "Conservative" Government, historically and now again, it results in a "bargain basement selloff" of Canada and Canadian interests...

Coincidence? I think not...

Edited by GWiz

There are none so blind, deaf and dumb as those that fail to recognize, understand, and promote TRUTH...- GWiz

Posted

Cool... Everybody happy or simply resigned?

There are none so blind, deaf and dumb as those that fail to recognize, understand, and promote TRUTH...- GWiz

Posted

Totally agree...

I make special NOTE that any TIME Canada has a "Conservative" Government, historically and now again, it results in a "bargain basement selloff" of Canada and Canadian interests...

Coincidence? I think not...

What exactly has the government sold off?

"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC

Posted

What exactly has the government sold off?

Nothing but reality for some is like tinfoil against dental fillings...

RIGHT of SOME, LEFT of OTHERS

If it is a choice between them and us, I choose us

Posted

Totally agree...

I make special NOTE that any TIME Canada has a "Conservative" Government, historically and now again, it results in a "bargain basement selloff" of Canada and Canadian interests...

Coincidence? I think not...

Seems like a type of Firesale to me .. everything must go !!!!

Posted

Better question, what does Canada still own and/or do, and how long will it under the Harper Government?

Oil refining - gone - US does it and sells gas back to Canada, the gas prices at the pump - US controlled, meat packing - done in the US Mad Cow taught us the mistake there, aerospace - US handout (Canadarms) rest US, even Canada's census now under US Lockheed Martin control, and so on and so on and so on... Applause to Saskabush for STOPPING the selloff of Canada's potash industry, the TSX - we'll see, next up? Take your pick, the Harper Gov. don't mind at all... :D

Funny thing is I really don'r care cause NOTHING affects me, but YOU may find that living in YOUR OWN country that's under foreign or foreign corporate control has certain disadvantages for Canada and Canadians...

There are none so blind, deaf and dumb as those that fail to recognize, understand, and promote TRUTH...- GWiz

Posted

Good point....Canadian Pacific has owned rail and common carrier operations in the USA for many years, and continues to buy smaller American carriers. Should I be worried?

Yes, yes you should.

Posted

Better question, what does Canada still own and/or do, and how long will it under the Harper Government?

Canadians own tons of stuff. Will own it long after Harper is gone

Oil refining - gone - US does it and sells gas back to Canada, the gas prices at the pump - US controlled, meat packing - done in the US Mad Cow taught us the mistake there,

Gas prices are NOT controlled by US firms.

Meat packing is done in this country. Plenty of abbitoirs around. We sell a shitload of prok to china and japan. So?

Mad cow? Oi vey.

Funny thing is I really don'r care cause NOTHING affects me, but YOU may find that living in YOUR OWN country that's under foreign or foreign corporate control has certain disadvantages for Canada and Canadians...

You wont convince anyone with your "I dont care" when you take time to post " I dont care" !

Posted

Good point....Canadian Pacific has owned rail and common carrier operations in the USA for many years, and continues to buy smaller American carriers. Should I be worried?

Not about Canada in particular because we aren't big enough to make much of a dent in an economy the size of the US. However, with the Canuck buck pushing $1.03 US with the US economy being in tough shape, conditions are better for Canadian acquisition of US companies than they have been in a long time.

"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC

Posted

Not about Canada in particular because we aren't big enough to make much of a dent in an economy the size of the US. However, with the Canuck buck pushing $1.03 US with the US economy being in tough shape, conditions are better for Canadian acquisition of US companies than they have been in a long time.

Hmmm, maybe you're starting to "catch on" to the POINT I was making...

Conversely; is the US (and other countries to lesser extents) big enough to "put a dent in" Canada's economy?

Be honest now... :D

BTW - Read item 11 in the NAFTA agreement, you may change your mind about what you stated earlier...

Oh, one more little thing about "Canadian Companies" buying up or "merging" with foreign companies, you may want to delve into that a whole lot deeper, things are not always (read seldom) what they seem... B)

There are none so blind, deaf and dumb as those that fail to recognize, understand, and promote TRUTH...- GWiz

Posted (edited)

Hmmm, maybe you're starting to "catch on" to the POINT I was making...

Conversely; is the US (and other countries to lesser extents) big enough to "put a dent in" Canada's economy?

Be honest now... :D

BTW - Read item 11 in the NAFTA agreement, you may change your mind about what you stated earlier...

Oh, one more little thing about "Canadian Companies" buying up or "merging" with foreign companies, you may want to delve into that a whole lot deeper, things are not always (read seldom) what they seem... B)

If Canadian companies bought out twice as many American Companies as vice versa, there would still be far more American than Canadian companies. Unless you can change the relative size of our populations and economies, that will never change no matter which party is power.

What of NAFTA section 11? It gives our companies the same rights as other NAFTA parters. NAFTA may have been negotiated by a Conservative Government but it was enacted by Chretien who did nothing to change it in 13 years of being in power.

Do your own research, it's your thread.

Edited by Wilber

"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC

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