Every country needs a few basic ingredients in order to achieve healthy, sustained economic growth.

German unemployment falls!  RBA disappoints the markets…  China to buy Canadian company…  ISM to print positive? And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Japan Election Rout Shakes Shares; Shanghai Composite Falls Nearly 7%; Walt Disney Adding Marvel to its Roster; Baker Hughes Buys Rival BJ Services; PetroChina Gaining Athabasca Tar Sand Control; Petrobras Wants 30% Stake in Brazil Reserve Wells; India’s Economy Grows 6.1%; JPMorgan: China-Taiwan Interested in Mutual Opportunities; Funds Dumping U.S. Consumer Stocks

In the energy market on Wednesday, crude for July delivery forged ahead, closing at $71.33/barrel, up $1.32. July reformulated gasoline rose 4.86 cents, to $2.0153/gallon.

While everyone is focused on what Obama will do with green energy, it is pointed out that Canada is the largest, nearest, most reliable, and friendliest source of oil the U.S. has. Obama would be smart to enhance that relationship even further.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive  has weighed in alongside OPEC, claiming that there is no shortage of physical oil supplies, and the crude oil prices should drop.

“As the post-Memorial Day hangover lingers, and $4 per gallon gasoline becomes a national reality, expect more and more daily energy prognostications,” says William Patalon III in Money Morning.

The sulfuric-acid market is booming and oil companies are reaping the rewards.

According to the London Times, the price of sulfur has risen from $50 to $500 a ton in under a year. More from this report:

“Shell is one of the most-efficient producers of sulphur,” Barry Clarke, a sulphur market analyst for Pentasul, said.

 Want to earn $195 per day, tax free, on top of your salary? Go to work in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Isn’t it true the Canadian oil sands yield a type of low-grade oil good only for synthetics and not for gasoline or home heating?

In April 2007, the stock market of the tiny island nation of Taiwan had just about everything going for it.