Gas Dispute Has Effects Past Russia and Ukraine
Poland, Romania and Bulgaria reported dwindling flows of natural gas after Russia halted shipments to Ukraine.

Oil Will Probably Close Lower On The First Trading Day Of 2009
Oil price rallied to as high as 45.54 Wednesday after the US Energy Department report a better- than-expected petroleum inventory report which showed that crude oil stockpiles rose 0.55 mmb last week (Bloomberg survey: +1.45 mmb). However, the benchmark contract then retreated 4% due to profit-taking. Today, oil price continues to trade around $43/bbl as investors still concern about demand issue. From another report Wednesday, the US Energy Department said that fuel consumption in the nation

Energy stocks open 2009 with gains

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Energy stocks continued their upward momentum in early action Friday, rising with the broad market. The Amex Oil Index rose 0.4% to 984. The Amex Natural Gas Index rose 1.5% to 381. Crude futures fell back by about 1%. In recent days, energy stocks have risen, closing out the past week with end-of-the-year buying.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

Gas Dispute Has Effects Past Russia and Ukraine
Poland, Romania and Bulgaria reported dwindling flows of natural gas after Russia halted shipments to Ukraine.

With Prices Low, U.S. Stocks Up On Oil
Taking advantage of low oil prices, the U.S. government is resuming purchases of crude oil for its emergency stockpile. The Energy Department said it will add nearly 20 million barrels of oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Oil Will Probably Close Lower On The First Trading Day Of 2009
Oil price rallied to as high as 45.54 Wednesday after the US Energy Department report a better- than-expected petroleum inventory report which showed that crude oil stockpiles rose 0.55 mmb last week (Bloomberg survey: +1.45 mmb). However, the benchmark contract then retreated 4% due to profit-taking. Today, oil price continues to trade around $43/bbl as investors still concern about demand issue. From another report Wednesday, the US Energy Department said that fuel consumption in the nation

Russia Cuts Off Gas Deliveries to Ukraine
The Russian energy giant Gazprom shut natural gas deliveries in a move that could spell shortages for Europe.

Oil Will Probably Close Lower On The First Trading Day Of 2009
Oil price rallied to as high as 45.54 Wednesday after the US Energy Department report a better- than-expected petroleum inventory report which showed that crude oil stockpiles rose 0.55 mmb last week (Bloomberg survey: +1.45 mmb). However, the benchmark contract then retreated 4% due to profit-taking. Today, oil price continues to trade around $43/bbl as investors still concern about demand issue. From another report Wednesday, the US Energy Department said that fuel consumption in the nation

Natural Gas Daily Technical Outlook
Nymex Natural Gas (NG) Natural retreats sharply after hitting 6.18 high. While an intraday top is in place, short term outlook will remain bullish as long as 5.779 minor support holds. As discussed before, a short term bottom should be formed at 5.21 after just missing 5.192 long term support on bullish convergence condition in 4 hours MACD and RSI. Further rise is expected to be seen to trend line resistance at 6.43 and break there will put focus to 6.978 resistance. On the downside, below

Petroleum shares ending year with modest losses

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Energy stocks began the last trading day of 2008 with modest losses. The Amex Oil Index fell 0.3% to 966.6. The Amex Natural Gas Index traded flat at 371.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

Russia Cuts Off Gas Deliveries to Ukraine
The Russian energy giant Gazprom shut natural gas deliveries in a move that could spell shortages for Europe.

Natural Gas Daily Technical Outlook
Nymex Natural Gas (NG) Natural retreats sharply after hitting 6.18 high. While an intraday top is in place, short term outlook will remain bullish as long as 5.779 minor support holds. As discussed before, a short term bottom should be formed at 5.21 after just missing 5.192 long term support on bullish convergence condition in 4 hours MACD and RSI. Further rise is expected to be seen to trend line resistance at 6.43 and break there will put focus to 6.978 resistance. On the downside, below

Gazprom, Once Mighty, Is Reeling
The giant Russian natural gas monopoly is deep in debt and negotiating a government bailout.

Petroleum shares ending year with modest losses

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Energy stocks began the last trading day of 2008 with modest losses. The Amex Oil Index fell 0.3% to 966.6. The Amex Natural Gas Index traded flat at 371.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

Gazprom, Once Mighty, Is Reeling
The giant Russian natural gas monopoly is deep in debt and negotiating a government bailout.

Natural Gas Daily Technical Outlook
Nymex Natural Gas (NG) Natural retreats sharply after hitting 6.18 high. While an intraday top is in place, short term outlook will remain bullish as long as 5.779 minor support holds. As discussed before, a short term bottom should be formed at 5.21 after just missing 5.192 long term support on bullish convergence condition in 4 hours MACD and RSI. Further rise is expected to be seen to trend line resistance at 6.43 and break there will put focus to 6.978 resistance. On the downside, below

Chuck Jaffe: The 13th annual Lump of Coal Awards, Part 2
It’s been a terrible year for the stock market, but a banner 12 months for misbehavior, misguided thinking and outrageous maneuvering in the fund business. That’s why there’s plenty of material for the 2008 Lump of Coal Awards.

Gazprom, Once Mighty, Is Reeling
The giant Russian natural gas monopoly is deep in debt and negotiating a government bailout.

Energy stocks rise with broad market

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Energy stocks rose in early action on Friday, taking their cue from higher crude oil prices and modest gains in the broad market. The Amex Oil Index rose 0.8% to 922. The Amex Natural Gas Index ]s: xng] rose 1.9% to 362. Crude prices advanced 28 cents to $35.63.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

5 Injured In Sacramento Home Explosion
At least five people were injured Wednesday when a home in a Sacramento suburb was leveled during an explosion that officials believe was caused by a natural gas leak.

Tenn. "Sludge-Slide" Sparks Toxic Scare
The Tennessee Valley Authority is working to contain the release of potentially toxic pollutants from the coal-fired Kingston power plant after a breach in an earthen dike released 2.6 million cubic yards of ash from a holding pond.

Tenn. Worries: How Toxic Is the Sludge?
Residents and officials worry about environmental effects from coal ash slide.