[mountn man]

what's your point amd what does it have to do with that?

Your comment was "too funny...12.3 billion = flat profits ". I assumed that your comment about flat profits at being $12.3 were sarcastic. That $12.3 billion was too much, and undeserved.

I was trying to make the point that when someone gets into business, first and foremost, profit must be made. If a consistant profit ratio is maintained, and business level remains constant or grows, bottom line profit will naturally go up.

In the case of oil, if profit growth was flat, while production was increasing, it shows that something negative was going on.

But the libs would only see the bottom line number, and not take into account other factors in the equation. And still make big oil an evil boogie man.

[stylin19a]

perhaps I was too vague or trying to be too cute..sorry for that.

I understand what the article was trying to convey, 12.3 billion in profit was ordinary in comparison. but, forget comparison for a moment, a 12.3 billion profit absolutely impressive.

profit is never too much nor undeserved.
Unfortunately, publicly held companies are held to their own guidance.
Made 14 billion in profit last year, expect to make 15 billion this year and miss your numbers and only make 13 billion this year and you get hammered.

again...sorry