The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will likely maintain its crude oil production quotas at its meeting in Vienna, Austria today, Thursday.

With oil finally trading back above the $50-a-barrel level, it’s time to recognize that crude prices are probably not going to remain low for very long, and may end up fluctuating in the $50-$80 range – regardless of what happens to the prices of other commodities.

Smart investors are looking beyond the current financial crisis. For a good shot at long-term profits, look towards the oil industry.

Alternative-energy investments are hot. But is the reward worth the risk? If a report released earlier this week is anywhere close to accurate, the answer is a solid no. It could be a decade until we see any solid growth.

FTSEurofirst 300 falls 1.5 percent… Banks under pressure on poor economic outlook… Miners, oils slip…

It looks like it will be another volatile week in the energy markets. On one side of the balance, a tremendous economic slowdown and an overabundance of oil are pushing prices down, while the other side of the balance, rather empty until now, has the threat of a major strike propping prices up.  Here’s two ways to play it.

Oil jumps $2 on better-than-expected GDP data… OPEC says “willing to go further” to balance market… Labour action in U.K., U.S. supports crude prices…

Job Claims Hit 42-Year High; Dodd’s Vengeance; Durable Goods Orders Slowing Slide; 3Com Profit Down but Stock Up; Amazon Profit Up 9%; Crude Prices Down as Inventories Build; Kodak Paints Unflattering Picture

When Congress sent General Motors (NYSE:GM) its first “bailout” check worth $4 billion earlier this month, few folks thought it would do the company much good. But even fewer thought the company would be crying for help so quickly.

Dollar weakens to two-month low versus euro… Oil climbs nearly 7 percent; OPEC supply cut expected