Free Republic

In the long run, stocks reflect earnings and the outlook for future growth. Corporate profits surged last year as the U.S. and global economy recovered. Wall Street expects earnings growth to slow as that initial rebound wears off and wages rise in emerging markets. But the elite IBD 50 list includes five companies set to deliver triple-digit profit growth this quarter. Chinese search engine giant Baidu (BIDU) is one, but most are commodity plays: Northern Oil & Gas (NOG), Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF), Silver Wheaton (SLW) and Gulfport Energy (GPOR).

This is the winter of oil's discontents. It is the winter after oil prices whipsawed world markets. A year ago, when oil prices were on their way to all-time highs, wildcatters stampeded North Dakota land offices to search for unclaimed mineral rights in the oil-rich Bakken Formation. In summer, oil boosters slapped bumper stickers on pickups boasting of 'Rockin' the Bakken,' with its 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable oil. Now, with oil trading under $40 a barrel amidst a global recession, oil companies are pulling rigs from frozen farm and grazing land. But a small Twin Cities-based startup has a...

Iraq's main northern oil distribution center was in flames after two mortar shells landed on it Monday night, an official with the Northern Oil Company said. The massive fire continued to burn despite efforts by the U.S. army, Iraqi army and civil defense brigades to put it out, he added. A huge fire was visible from the nearby city of Kirkuk. "This is the first time this installation has been attacked with such force," said the official, who would not reveal the extent of the damage or whether pumping had ceased. The station is responsible for regulating the flow...