June 2008

The big question asked by economists these days is simple: how much will the jump in gas prices impact consumer spending and thus the American economy?    Daily we hear estimates, varying from "some" to "very much."   It got me thinking about the math behind the numbers.     Certainly the higher price of gas is hitting many families hard.    However, based on some standard figures ... read more

Listening to "Bulls & Bears" on Fox News on XM Satellite Radio this weekend (note: Fox Business will get its own XM channel, 128, as of July 14th) I listened a debate about oil prices and the gas tax.     It was a discussion about whether McCain's idea to cut the gas tax for the summer is a good idea and what any economic benefit may be. My co-anchor Dagen took the unpopular side that the ... read more

File this entry under, "it must not be the act, it must be the market" that matters.   Two distinct stories in the Wall St. Journal today opposing Congressional views on forms of speculation.   The first deals with oil and is simply titled "Oil Speculation Draws Scrutiny."  It discusses hearings in Congress suggesting oil prices could fall if bills were passed to curb speculation, perhaps ... read more

Three year revenue growth of 47.6% and three year EPS growth of 76.3%.    That's the story of the numbers at DXP Enterprises (DXPE). This 100 year old Houston-based distribution company is engaged in the unsexy areas of the oil and energy markets; the design, repair and sale of thousands of industrial products.   Things like salt water injection skids.    Their customers run the gamut of ... read more