Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) — Most emerging-market stocks climbed as higher prices for oil boosted producers, offsetting data showing a contraction in manufacturing in Europe and China.

the MSCI Emerging Markets Index was little changed at 1064.56 at the close in new York, as 411 stocks gained and 369 declined. Brazilian oil driller HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA advanced the most since October after a partner released oil reserve estimates for an exploration area. OGX Petroleo & Gas Participacoes SA reached a ten-month high. Argentina’s Merval index neared a one-month high as Tenaris SA, the world’s largest producer of seamless steel tubes used in the oil industry, advanced to the highest level in seven months.

Oil rose to a nine-month high as officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency were denied access to an Iranian military base, increasing speculation tensions between Iran and Western nations will disrupt oil shipments. European services and manufacturing output unexpectedly shrank in February after expanding the prior month, data from Markit Economics showed today. China’s manufacturing may shrink for a fourth month, according to data from HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit.

“a combination of softer data and renewed concerns about Greece is weighing on emerging-market stocks,” Neil Shearing, an emerging-markets economist at Capital Economics Ltd. in London said by phone. For oil exporters, higher prices “should help cushion any effects of weaker global demand.”

‘Restricted Default’

European finance ministers approved a 130 billion-euro ($172 billion) package for Greece by tapping into European Central Bank profits and convincing investors to provide more debt relief to the Mediterranean country. Fitch Ratings lowered Greece’s credit rating by two levels to C from CCC, saying a default is “highly likely in the near term.” Fitch will cut Greece to “Restricted Default” once a bond exchange is completed.

Brazil’s Bovespa index snapped a three-day advance, falling 0.2 percent. Sugar-cane processor Cosan SA Industria e Comercio fell 5.8 percent after saying it will acquire a stake in railroad company ALL America Latina Logistica SA. HRT advanced 9.6 percent, and OGX rose 2.3 percent to 18.05 reais, the highest since April 15.

Crude for April delivery increased 3 cents to $106.28 a barrel on the new York Mercantile Exchange, the highest settlement since may 4. Futures have gained 14 percent in the past year.

Tenaris gained 3.1 percent, boosting Argentina’s Merval up 1.4 percent to the highest level since Jan. 26.

the Micex Index sank 1.3 percent in Moscow as OAO Aeroflot, Russia’s biggest airline, dropped 3 percent. the BUX Index retreated 0.7 percent in Budapest and the PX Index slipped 0.2 percent in Prague.

Alibaba.com Ltd., China’s biggest corporate e-commerce site, surged 43 percent to HK$13.20, the most since November 2007, after its parent company bid to buy out minority shareholders. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., controlled by billionaire Jack Ma, offered HK$13.50 a share for the 27 percent it doesn’t already own in Alibaba.com, according to a Hong Kong Stock Exchange statement yesterday. a gauge tracking technology companies on MSCI’s developing-nation index climbed 1.1 percent today, the most among 10 industry groups.

PetroChina Co., the nation’s biggest oil company, rose 1.4 percent in Hong Kong. Cnooc Ltd., China’s biggest offshore energy producer, gained 1.5 percent.

the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong jumped 1.2 percent to the highest level since Aug. 4.

Chinese Manufacturing

the preliminary 49.7 reading of a China manufacturing index from HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics today compared with a final 48.8 in January. a number below 50 indicates a contraction. a gauge of euro-area services and manufacturing output dropped to 49.7, London-based Markit Economics said, below the 50.5 forecast by economists in a Bloomberg survey.

the extra yield investors demand to own emerging-market debt over U.S. Treasuries fell one basis point, or 0.01 percentage point, to 366, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s EMBI Global Index.

–With assistance from Jason Webb in London. Editor: Marie- France Han

Most Emerging Stocks Rise as Oil Gain Offsets Europe Slowdown

3:45 p.m. EST, February 22, 2012

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Three Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday urged the White House to signal it is ready to tap the nation’s oil stockpiles to combat surging fuel prices, arguing an “aggressive” strategy could tamp down speculation. Oil prices hit their highest level in nine months on Tuesday as tensions with Iran continue to rattle crude markets. the skyrocketing oil costs have turned U.S. gasoline prices into a key issue for the 2012 presidential election season. President Barack Obama could prevent a “runaway increase” in gasoline prices by showing he would not hesitate to release oil from U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, salt caverns holding about 696 million barrels of oil, said congressmen Edward Markey, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, Peter Welch and congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “It is essential that the United States have an aggressive strategy for releasing oil from the strategic petroleum reserve to combat the speculators capitalizing on the fear in oil markets,” the lawmakers said in a letter to Obama. Obama is slated to talk about gasoline prices during a trip to Florida on Thursday. White House spokesman Jay Carney declined Wednesday to comment on the Democrats’ request, but he said the administration continues to examine “every issue” when it comes to higher oil and gas prices. “We take no possible response off the table,” Carney told reporters. SHORT TERM FIX High fuel prices have provided ammunition for Republican critiques of Obama’s energy policies. last summer, the Obama administration joined other Western nations to release a total of 60 million barrels of oil in response to supply disruptions in Libya. Oil prices fell 8 percent in the days following the announcement of that release and Democratic lawmakers said the White House should consider taking similar action now to send a message to Iran that the U.S. is willing to use its emergency reserves. the use of the U.S. oil stockpile is often a matter of contentious debate when gasoline prices rise. Traditionally, Republicans have argued that oil reserves should only be released in the event of a major supply disruption and not to address climbing prices. Leading Republicans assailed the White House last year for tapping the reserves, accusing the administration of playing politics with the nation’s energy security. While releasing emergency oil may help alleviate prices in the short term, the House Democrats said developing cleaner energy sources would be the ultimate solution. the lawmakers also said the government needs to “carefully review” the practices of allowing oil companies to export oil products that come from oil produced on public lands. (Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Alden Bentley)

Lawmakers to Obama: tamp down fuel prices with oil stocks

By Katia Porzecanski and Andrew Theen

Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) — Canadian stocks rose, extending a five-month high, as energy shares advanced with oil near a nine- month high and gold producers rallied with the metal.

Suncor Energy inc., the country’s largest oil and gas producer, increased 1.1 percent. Barrick Gold Corp., the world’s largest producer of the precious metal, gained 1 percent. Teck Resources ltd., Canada’s largest copper and coal producer, advanced 1.5 percent. Manulife Financial Corp. the country’s biggest insurer, declined 1.9 percent.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 30.87 points, or 0.2 percent, to 12,654.23 at 1:24 p.m. Toronto time.

“On balance, things are slowly but surely improving,” Irwin Michael, a money manager at ABC Funds in Toronto, said in a telephone interview. his firm oversees C$1 billion. “There are a lot of investors who are chomping at the bit wanting to get invested. They’ll buy on weakness; they’ll stick their toe in the water and the market will saw-tooth its way upwards.”

The index rallied 1.3 percent yesterday after European finance ministers approved 130 billion ($172 billion) in aid for Greece. Canadian stocks have gained eight of the past nine weeks as improving U.S. employment, manufacturing and housing data overshadowed the European debt crisis. Seventy-four percent of Canadian exports went to the U.S. last year, according to Statistics Canada.

–Editor: Stephen Kleege

To contact the reporter on this story: Katia Porzecanski in New York at kporzecansk1@bloomberg.net. Andrew Theen in New York at atheen@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Baker at nbaker7@bloomberg.net

Canadian Stocks Gain as Oil, Gold Shares Advance; Manulife Falls

NZOG (New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd) has delivered another strong result with the Tui and Kupe fields contributing to a net operating cash flow of $26.5 million in the first half of the financial year.

For the 6 months ended 31 December 2011, NZOG recorded total operating revenue of $54.6 million, compared to operating revenue of $40.5 million in the corresponding six month period a year earlier.

NZOG has reported a net profit after tax of $2.3 million, compared to a loss of $99.0 million for the corresponding period a year earlier.

the profit was acheived despite taking a further $22.2 million impairment against remaining Pike River Coal Ltd (PRCL) debt.

NZOG had a total cash balance at 31 December 2011 of $191.5 million and a net cash position of $136.7 million.

Operating Performance NZOG's operating revenue comes from two producing fields in the offshore Taranaki Basin.

the Kupe gas and oil field is NZOG's primary revenue source, contributing $37.1 million in revenue in the six month period.

with a 15% stake, NZOG's share of Kupe production for the period was 1.45 PJ of sales gas; 6,300 tonnes of LPG; and 139,000 barrels of light oil.

the Tui area oil fields, while now in the decline phase, continue to make a valuable contribution, earning NZOG $17.5 million in the six month period.

with a 12.5% stake, NZOG's share of Tui production for the period was just under 148,000 barrels of oil.

the contribution to earnings from each field was as follows:

NZD millions     Kupe      Tui       Total Revenue          37.1       17.5     54.6 EBITDAX*        24.7       12.2     36.9 EBIT**             14.4         9.4     23.8 * Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and exploration. ** Earnings before interest and tax.

During the period, NZOG received a total of $41.0 million from the Receivers for Pike River Coal Limited (PRCL) following a settlement with PRCL insurers. NZOG advanced $4.6 million to the Receivers to fund ongoing mine stabilisation efforts and the mine sales process.

Abnormal Items as announced on 26 January 2012, NZOG has taken an impairment provision for all remaining secured PRCL debt. this impairment provision of $22.2 million (which includes related currency movements) was made after an assessment of the expected future cash recoveries from PRCL. the provision reflects the ongoing cost of the receivership, the highly conditional nature of further receipts and uncertainty regarding timing.

the other abnormal item during the period was a foreign currency gain of $4.8 million on the company's US dollar cash holdings.

Portfolio Development During the six month period NZOG took further steps to establish new core areas of business with investments in Tunisia and Indonesia, while continuing to focus on its long standing presence in New Zealand.

In the southern offshore Taranaki basin, NZOG is looking to secure an additional joint venture partner ahead of drilling the Kakapo prospect, which subject to rig availability could take place next summer. NZOG is also working on behalf of the Barque joint venture to secure an additional partner for this prospect in the offshore Canterbury Basin. both permits have ‘drill or drop' commitment deadlines later this year.

In Tunisia, a 470km 2D seismic survey was conducted earlier this month over the Diodore permit. the data will be processed and then analysed to firm up already identified drilling prospects. NZOG and its partners in the Cosmos concession, which NZOG joined in December, are undertaking the detailed work required ahead of a final investment decision later this year on whether to proceed with a development of the oil discovery.

In Indonesia, as well as several study agreements, NZOG has a stake in an exploration permit in central Sumatra where a well is to be drilled in the coming months.

NZOG Chief Executive Andrew Knight says further opportunities need to be identified and secured.

"In the year ahead there is the prospect of exploration drilling in Taranaki and Indonesia and a potential commitment to develop an oil field in Tunisia. Further out, there are other drilling prospects. However, NZOG has the resources and capability to do significantly more.

"We are very actively pursuing further opportunities in all three of our core areas – New Zealand, South-East Asia and North Africa – ranging from study and permit applications through to drilling, asset deals and corporate acquisitions.

"Kupe and Tui are expected to provide ongoing cash flows and we intend to invest a sensible portion of those cash flows in new investments in order to grow the business and provide long-term value for our shareholders."

<a href="http://www.4-traders.com/NEW-ZEALAND-OIL-GAS-LIM-6492579/news/NEW-ZEALAND-OIL-GAS-LIMITED-NZOG-half-year-results-14034585/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.4-traders.com/NEW-ZEALAND-OIL-GAS-LIM-6492579/news/NEW-ZEALAND-OIL-GAS-LIMITED-NZOG-half-year-results-14034585/Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:38:43 GMT”>New Zealand Oil & Gas Limited : NZOG half year results

You know what’s better than a dividend stock? a dividend stock that pays you every month. last week, I identified five oil and gas companies with monthly dividends. Today, based on some recommendations from readers on my previous article, I have five companies focused on oil and natural gas whose monthly dividends could provide you with the income needed to meet your monthly obligations or provide you with steady capital to reinvest and grow your portfolio.

Company

Recent Monthly Payment

Current Yield

Pengrowth Energy (NYS: PGH) $0.069 8.3% Cross Timbers Royalty Trust (NYS: CRT) $0.268 6.9% Hugoton Royalty Trust (NYS: HGT) $0.083 6.3% Sabine Royalty Trust (NYS: SBR) $0.305 5.6%

Source: Yahoo! Finance.

What’s a royalty trust? all four companies on the list are royalty trusts. a royalty trust is similar to a REIT, but instead of real estate or mortgages, income is derived from oil and gas rights. with this special situation, however, comes special tax reporting requirements, so be aware of that prior to purchasing royalty trusts. They also deplete over time, so the income is not guaranteed to last beyond the life of the trust.

Cross Timbers and Hugoton Royalty Trusts both provide investors with profits from the natural gas producing assets of XTO Energy, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil, which purchased XTO in 2010 to add to its natural-gas-producing assets in North America. Sabine Royalty Trust provides income from the properties of Sabine Corporation in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The trust has been making monthly distributions since January 1988.

Oh, Canada! like Baytex Energy and Provident Energy, which I mentioned last time, Pengrowth Energy is a Canadian company slightly different from the U.S.-based trusts on this list. while it pays proceeds similar to a traditional royalty trust, it also focuses on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. its largest production comes from locations in the Montney and Horn River shale areas in northeastern British Columbia and western Alberta.

Dividends are greatThough these aren’t dividend payers in the traditional sense, their monthly dividend-like distributions could be used to pay some monthly expenses. in addition, they are a nice way to get some exposure to oil and natural gas in a world defined by fossil fuels. If you are looking to diversify your portfolio with income-generating stocks, be sure to get a copy of our free report to “Secure Your Future with 11 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks.” Even though none of the included companies pay monthly dividends, it should still be worth your while to get your copy today!

at the time this article was published Fool contributor Robert Eberhard holds no position in any company mentioned. Follow him on Twitter or click here to see his holdings and a short bio. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. we Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. all rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

4 More Oil and Gas Companies With Monthly Dividends

Forest Oil Corporation (FST) is all set to expand its oily footprint in the Permian Basin. The company has increased its total Permian Basin acreage position to 126,000 gross acres (114,500 net) through the Wolfbone acreage acquisition, significantly widening its presence in the Delaware and Midland Basins.

The total Permian Basin acreage comprises 57,500 gross acres (51,500 net) of Wolfcamp Shale (Midland Basin) in Crockett County, Texas as well as 68,500 gross acres (63,000 net) prospective Wolfbone oil play (Delaware Basin) in Pecos and Reeves Counties, Texas.

Forest paid $66 million of cash for the acreage, which was acquired through a series of transactions. The total consideration also includes approximately 2.7 million shares of Forest Oil’s common stock.

The acquired properties in the Wolfbone acreage are mainly concentrated near the Delaware and Midland Basins, entitling the company to numerous liquid-rich operations, with both vertical and horizontal drilling opportunities. Forest intends to test the Wolfcamp Shale further in the near future and commence testing the Wolfbone in the first half of 2012. consequently, the company will assess the future pace of drilling rig activity in each of the plays.

Forest Oil’s effort to expand its liquid production in order to maximize its margin is gaining traction. consequently, the company has been in a restructuring mode in the recent past, being actively engaged in asset acquisitions as well as divestitures.

However, Forest’s highly gas-weighted reserves/production profile and exposure to the inherently cyclical and volatile exploration and production sector offset these strengths and remain key areas of concern, in our view. Forest Oil expects net sales volume of 335–345 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) for the fourth quarter of 2011, assuming no improvement in production downtime in the Texas Panhandle. Net sales volumes are expected to comprise approximately 70% natural gas and 30% liquids.

The company is following in the footsteps of its bigger peers, like Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK), the second-largest U.S. natural-gas producer, as well as ConocoPhillips (COP), both of which have been restricting gas production in response to weak natural gas prices. Although increased focus on liquids is commendable, it will take time for Forest Oil to benefit from related ventures.

The company holds a Zacks #3 Rank, which is equivalent to a short-term Hold rating. we maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation for Forest Oil Corporation.

Read the full analyst report on FST

Read the full analyst report on CHK

Read the full analyst report on COP

<a href="http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/70037/Forest+Oil+Adds+Permian+Acreagetag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/70037/Forest Oil Adds Permian AcreageTue, 21 Feb 2012 23:22:58 GMT”>Forest Oil Adds Permian Acreage

Views from the Trading Floor for February 21st

Category: Investment, Oil, Gas, Mining

News about Aminex Plc.

UK – February 21, 2012 (InvestorIdeas.com Newswire) Fox Davies Capital views from the trading floor for oil and gas and mining stocks;

Saints & Sinners

Oil & Gas

Aminex Plc. (LON:AEX) jumped 26% to 4.85p on huge volume, while Solo Oil (LON:SOLO) jumped 15% to 0.68p. Possibly one of the reasons behind the move could be this statement from the last NTORYA-1 drilling update

Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:41pm EST

SEOUL, Feb 22 (Reuters) – Seoul shares are seendrifting on Wednesday, with news of Greece clinching along-awaited rescue package seen factored in and rising oilprices set to continue to pressure fuel cost sensitive sharessuch as airlines and shippers. “It will take a more drastic spike in oil prices to kill theongoing liquidity rally, but with a lack of indicators to takecues from, the oil price surge will likely keep shares subduedfor the rest of the week,” said Kim Sung-bong, an analyst atSamsung Securities. U.S. stocks ended little changed on Tuesday, paring gainsafter the Dow topped 13,000 for the first time since May 2008,and as higher oil prices dampened prospects for the economy. Oil rose to a nine-month high on Tuesday after Greecereceived a financial bailout and top Asian consumers moved tocut crude purchases from Iran, following Western sanctionsdesigned to limit the country’s nuclear program. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed0.03 percent lower at 2,024.24 points on Tuesday. —————–MARKET SNAPSHOT @ 22:28 GMT——————- INSTRUMENT LAST PCT CHG NET CHGS&P 500 1,362.21 0.07% 0.980USD/JPY 79.68 -0.04% -0.03010-YR US TSY YLD 2.061 — 0.061SPOT GOLD $1,759.10 0.01% 0.110US CRUDE $105.84 2.52% 2.600DOW JONES 12965.69 0.12% 15.82ASIA ADRS 129.81 -0.60% -0.79————————————————————— >Wall St loses steam after Dow hits 13,000 >Treasuries fall on Greek bailout deal, new supply >Euro ends flat vs dollar as Greek realities weigh >Oil at 9-mth high on Greece rescue, Iran cuts —STOCKS TO WATCH— **HYUNDAI MIPO DOCKYARD CO LTD ** Scorpio Tankers Inc announced on Wednesday that itsigned a contract with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for theconstruction of a product tanker. **SSANGYONG MOTOR CO ** Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra is in talks withSouth Korea’s Ssangyong Motor co distributor inRussia to set up an assembly line, the Indian company’s headsaid on Tuesday. **KOREA GAS CORP ** Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS) is teaming up with GazpromNeft, the oil arm of Russia’s Gazprom, Turkey’s TPAO,and Malaysia’s Petronas to develop an oil field inIraq, which has estimated reserves of 100 millionbarrels. (Reporting by Joonhee Yu; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)

Seoul shares seen confined by oil price surge

10 Stocks Rallying as Oil Prices Surge (Update2)

They fell even faster this winter. Bye-bye…

Obviously, this will filter down to the bottom line of natural gas producers.

Many companies that went big on natural gas investments during the boom times are getting hit hard.

Keep an eye out for Exxon Mobile (XOM) and Chesapeake (CHK), both of which are reporting earnings today.

These are the two largest natural gas producers in the United States. Expect earnings to be down 10% from last year.

It might surprise you that 49% percent of Exxon’s energy production is natural gas — not what you might think about the oil giant. and for the record, 89% of Chesapeake’s production is natural gas. but then again, CHK was a leader in the fracturing trend…

Other top producers of natural gas include BP (BP), Anadarko Petroleum (APC), Chevron (CVX), Devon Energy (DVN), and ConocoPhillips (COP).

Sell them into today’s strength. Natural Gas prices won’t go up for at least six months.

Too Much Gas

There is a glut in Natural Gas due to fracturing.

Couple that with a mild winter and the usual summer price drop, and you should stay away from natural gas producers until August — at least.

Prices always fall in the spring and summer and pick up heading into winter.

Producers aren’t making money at these prices. That’s why the drilling rig count has been falling for six straight weeks and is sitting at a 28-month low.

Production is getting slashed.

We are at the point in the cycle when low prices lead to lower production, which will eventually lead to higher prices…

But we aren’t close to the buy point yet.

Oil, however, jumped to $104.80.

Buy the pure oil producers. Buy the natural gas infrastructure plays.

Stay on top of the hottest investment ideas before they hit Wall Street. Sign up for the Wealth Daily newsletter below. You’ll also get our free report, Shale Shook: how to Invest in Hydraulic Fracturing by expert, Keith Kohl.

Worst Housing Market in Recorded U.S. History

President Obama’s office recently put out the Economic Report of the President. On page 102, you will find this chart:

It shows that we are in the worst housing slump in U.S. history, and have at least once more year before we start heading up.

That said, if the small number of previous real estate collapses is any guide, it looks like there is a 40% upside over the next six years.

Gold Jumps on Greek Debt

Gold jumped over the weekend after the European finance ministers signed a deal to give Greece $171.9 billion in loans.

Gold for April delivery was up $30 to $1,756 an ounce. Silver was also up $0.87 to $34.095 an ounce.

The problem with Greece is that its revenue cannot pay for the interest on more loans. Greece is insolvent.

Diluting the euro won’t solve the problem — but it will tend to move the price of gold higher.

And Finally…

Last week, I told you the Nasdaq had broken out and you should buy.

For the record, it’s up 35 points since then.

Today the Dow broke 13,000. Next stop: 14,279.96 — last seen October 11, 2007.

How do you like them apples?

@TheDailyHammer on Twitter

Since 1995, Christian DeHaemer has specialized in frontier market opportunities. he has traveled extensively and invested in places as varied as Cuba, Mongolia, and Kenya. Chris believes the best way to make money is to get there first with the most. Christian is the founder of Crisis & Opportunity and Managing Director of Wealth Daily. he is also a contributor for Energy & Capital. for more on Christian, see his editor’s page.

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Sell These Natural Gas Stocks Now