I can’t think of a sector more vulnerable to soaring oil prices than the airlines. Every dollar increase in the price of a barrel of jet fuel adds more than $1.3 million to the daily operating expenses of the U.S. airlines industry. 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Today’s market action offers us a simple lesson: markets better than governments.

It can often be quite a lonely place and the investment crowd may call you all kinds of derogatory names - but when it comes to stock picking, nothing beats the feeling of striking out on your own, going against conventional wisdom and being proved correct.

Nearly 90 years ago, German researchers Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch developed a process that will solve our energy crisis. Today the term “Fischer-Tropsch” is seen frequently in articles about synthetic fuels.

Silent Spring For Aviation. My recent flight down to Texas offered some perspective on the future of aviation. And that future is bleak.

In the energy market Wednesday, crude for June backed off, falling under $125 to close at $124.22/barrel, down $1.58. June reformulated gasoline lost 2 cents, to $3.18/gallon.

It’s funny what one thinks about when packing for a trip (especially when that packing is taking place in a mad dash frenzy). Your humble editorial director has jet fuel on his mind as he prepares to scoot across the friendly skies once again — or rather, the price of jet fuel to be more specific. How much longer can the airlines afford to lose money with nearly every mile they fly?