GLG News by Iron Ore Mining Experts

Toby KolstadPresidentRail Theory Forecasts

Utilities begin to use more coal as railroad coal traffic increases

August 19, 2010

Analysis of:U.S. coal and natural gas generation rose, nuclear fell, in June | www.powergenworldwide.com

The EIA has reported that coal fired electric plants increased production faster in 2010 than overall demand for electricity has grown. Compared to June of 2009, coal fired generation was up 12.2% compared to an overall increase in demand for electric power of 7.9%. Power from plants that use Natural Gas also increased, as did power from Wind farms. Rail coal traffic has been steadily growing since the end of the first quarter and should finish the year about even to last year.

Toby KolstadPresidentRail Theory Forecasts

Railroad intermodal loads may be peaking early

August 10, 2010

Analysis of:Retailer Container Imports May Have Peaked | www.joc.com

Weekly railroad intermodal traffic has recently approached the levels recorded in mid-2008 and was on track to reach pre-recession levels by the end of the year if the normal cyclical pattern for this traffic sector prevailed. That would not have matched the other economic data normally associated with these shipments and could have created a problem for retailers in early 2011. A new report by Port Tracker however, now claims that the traditional shipping patter may not be seen in 2010.

Toby KolstadPresidentRail Theory Forecasts

Coal exports surge on Australian port problems and Asian steel boom

August 2, 2010

Analysis of:U.S. steam coal exports to support freight rates | www.commodities-now.com

Eastern coal exports rose to pre-recession levels during the first quarter due to the booming steel production in the Far East and the inability of Australian ports to handle the growth in demand for its coal resources. With collapse in demand from Canada, historically the biggest buyer of U.S. coal, Eastern railroads would have seen fewer coal shipments had not this market suddenly exploded and had not Australia failed to expand their port capacity.

Matthew MurphyManaging DirectorMMLC Group

Employee-Inventor Rights under the Latest PRC Patent Law and Regulations

July 29, 2010

Analysis of:Chinese Patent Law | www.mmlcgroup.com

The State Council of the People’s Republic of China issued the new Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Patent Law (the Detailed Rules) on January 9, 2010. The amended Detailed Rules causes some changes regarding the legal rights of service invention employees.

Toby KolstadPresidentRail Theory Forecasts

Rails are doing well, but so are truckers and air freight carriers.

July 23, 2010

Analysis of:Railroad group: Traffic still shows weak economy | www.businessweek.com

The number of rail car loads has been relatively steady for most of this year, up over last year but significantly lower than pre-recession levels. Intermodal traffic however, has not only recovered last year’s losses but is about to pass the weekly traffic levels of 2008. The latter however, are well below the traffic levels of 2006. Moreover, indices of truck traffic levels show similar gains, so the railroad's claim to be taking market share due to a more fuel efficient operation is questionable.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

Ultimately, EVs, and No Lithium , Please, says Honda

July 21, 2010

Analysis of:Honda Discovers Cars With Cords | www.wired.com

Honda, the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines, and the first to market a hybrid powertrain equipped personal passenger car, has now committed to entering the rather confused electrified vehicle market place with a range of powertrains to supercede the one, a nickel metal hydride battery using gasoline/electric hybrid that it has been marketing since 1997.Siimultaneously Honda announces that it remains committed to a fuel-cell based powertrain as the ultimate goal.

Toby KolstadPresidentRail Theory Forecasts

Intermodal traffic gains may be problematic: too much too fast

July 14, 2010

Analysis of:Intermodal Rail Posts Highest Year-Over-Year Monthly Gain in 20 Years | www.truckinginfo.com

Intermodal loadings are surging faster than had been expected and are rising faster than they did during the first quarter when real GDP was expected to grow over 3% in 2010. It now appears as though 2010 intermodal loads will exceed those of 2008 but fall short of the record number of shipments recorded in 2006. Much of today’s movements are for retailers stocking up for the holiday shopping season; the Christmas rush begins early in the transportation sector.

Toby KolstadPresidentRail Theory Forecasts

More troubles for railroad coal traffic

July 9, 2010

Analysis of:EPA proposes tougher air rules on power plants | af.reuters.com

The EPA has proposed rules that would force utilities in the East to significantly reduce pollutants in 2012. This will lead to the early closure of many old coal fired electric utility plants and higher utility bills for consumers in that part of the country. None of the new, more efficient and less polluting coal fired plants scheduled to start operating in the near future are in the East. For Eastern railroads, it will mean less coal traffic as utilities switch to alternate fuels in coming years.

Toby KolstadPresidentRail Theory Forecasts

UP profits should set records even with slow economic growth

July 5, 2010

Analysis of:Union Pacific railroad builds U.S. economy | money.cnn.com

Like many of its North American railroad cousins, the UP reacted swiftly to the precipitous fall in traffic in 2009 by cutting costs and capital spending. With the help of some small rate increases, it maintained its hard won operating ratio of 76% and waited for traffic to increase. Traffic had fallen more than the economic contraction seemed to warrant, and it was a good bet that it would increase swiftly, even if it did not return to pre-recession levels.

Jack LiftonCo-founder and DirectorTechnology Metals Research, LLC

TransCanada and the Future of Reliable Economical Energy Supplies for the USA

July 5, 2010

Analysis of:TransCanada: Oil Sands Exports Will Go To Asia If Blocked In US | councils.glgroup.com

American exceptionalism has added the dimension of exceptional stupidity with regard to our securing of future energy supplies. TransCanada has responded as a rational entity to the confused hypocrisy now dominating the American government about economics in general, and energy efficiency and self-sufficiency in particular.

Previous Page : 12345678910Next51 to 60 of 1285