Monthly Archives: May 2008
BHP/Rio Tinto: The kosher pig
Anti-trust is such a simple concept. Keep big companies from controlling markets and messing with consumers. Somehow, we have completely lost sight of that and turned anti-trust regulation into a math game. In pursuing a merger with Rio Tinto, BHP … Continue reading
Simplot was a giant
J.R. Simplot, agribusiness giant, dies in Idaho Simplot defined a major chunk of America as the french fry. He was the king of that food product and he did it at a time before today’s instant billions. His generation will … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
The price of a real option on iron ore is $35 million
Marketwire: Mano signs agreements with Severstal for investment in Mano and funding to develop the Putu Range Iron Ore Project in Liberia I doubt iron ore 100 km into the wilds of Liberia is very attractive by world standards, but … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
A decent tax credit: $2,500 for any car over 45 mpg
The New York Times: Running out of fuel, but not out of ideas Okay, Let’s start to solve the problem at the pump in the United States, and let’s do it with a very simple solution. If we offered a … Continue reading
Filed under Energy, Energy conservation, Oil, Uncategorized
Twiggy, wait in line
theage.com.au: BHP delays date with regulators over Rio bid “Fortescue Metals chief executive Andrew Forrest said this month his company would examine any iron ore assets made available if the BHP-Rio deal proceeded, but they would have to be more … Continue reading
Rio, BHP, run for them hills–the bankers are here
MSN Money: OTC platform to offer iron ore access What is a better recipe to blow up? Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank are creating a derivative market based on a spot market that is under 20% of a seaborne market, … Continue reading
Filed under Iron Ore
Turn off the lights, sell the car, and start walking
The Wall Street Journal: Energy watchdog warns of oil production crunch The sky is falling! We are finally at peak oil according to some people in Paris. It is amazing how these people are not going to get their report … Continue reading
Filed under Energy conservation
Dear Sinosteel: We cannot make up our minds
Dear Sinosteel, You are giving us lots of money, and we are giving you headaches, but do not worry. We will be gone in 4-8 weeks, and then you can fire us lock, stock, and barrel. We won’t mind because … Continue reading
