The debate continues on the merger of XM (XMSR ) and Sirius (SIRI ) Satellite Radio as the case again comes before the Senate Committee on Commerce for round four since its original proposition in February. Opponents argue that the merger will create a monopoly, leaving a sole provider for satellite service to consumers. This, they argue, will lead to increased prices and decreased content. Advocates argue that the merger is necessary in order to compete against other technologies, including terrestrial radio, MP3 players, CD/DVD etc. The inference is that the battle between the two small companies for the limited audience is splitting the market and preventing its advance against the other technologies.
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| Let the Oil Rally Begin (Again)! |
| Written by Miranda Marquit | |||
Is Big Oil ready for its end-of-summer rally? You bet! The stock market is a fickle market; always up and down. And individual stocks are the same way. Energy stocks are especially fickle. But as tropical storms appear to threaten the Texas Gulf Coast, it means that oil company stock is ready to rise. As the Washington Post reports:The Gulf Coast houses many oil and natural gas installations, and traders will be on alert for any sign that a storm could threaten those operations, interrupting supplies.Indeed, Big Oil stocks like BP (BP), Exxon (XOM), Chevron (CVX) and Cononco Phillips (COP) are moving in the positive direction again. With biofuels still a ways off, and President Bush making it clear that he will not allow their tax breaks to be taken away, things are looking good for Big Oil. Even as gasoline prices drop, Big Oil stocks are rising today. So, even though Big Oil experienced some setbacks earlier this week, nobody lost that much (well BP sorta did from its highs at the beginning of the summer), and oil companies are coming back strong -- Ready to rally yet again as the softening gas prices lull us away from a sense of urgency. Disclosure: The only stock I am investing in out of those listed above is BP. I am also interested in COP. Site disclaimer.
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