Oil services stocks have endured a tough run over the past year. But fourth-quarter results and comments from the industry's biggest players highlighted several investable themes. Read More

the total transaction value to USD2.22 trillion. Two major up-cycles in corporate dealmaking have occurred in the 12 years.  The 2000-02 technology bust and the collapse of the high-flying Nasdaq halted the late 1990s boom in merger and acquisitions (M&A). The technology sector drove much of this deal flow, with… Read More

January's Energy Stock of the Month is among the largest global suppliers of turbines, compressors and other high-speed rotating equipment primarily to the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries. Read More

At this early stage in the security registration process, SandRidge Mississippian Trust II’s (NYSE: SDR) tax advantages, exposure to oil prices and potential for distribution growth make the stock worthy of consideration. However, much of this depends on the price at which the trust debuts; no stock is a buy at any price. Read More

As operators hone their drilling and fracturing techniques, production costs in shale oil and gas plays have trended lower. Much of this effort focuses on identifying the best fracturing fluids as well… Read More

In these uncertain times, investors are hungry for high-yielding securities that offer reliable and growing income. With independent exploration and production companies seeking to fund ambitious drilling programs in a number of emerging shale fields, several operators have spun off royalty interests in established plays to raise capital. US-listed royalty… Read More

Demand for Australian coal assets will continue to increase and China and India continue to industrialize. Read More

US shale oil and gas plays represent one of the best ways for international oil companies to add incremental production in a politically stable environment. We also expect independent operators to continue to spin off noncore acreage and monetize other assets in an effort to fund ambitious drilling programs. Read More

With even junk-rated companies able to borrow money at attractve rates, mergers and acquisitions should continue apace in 2012. Read More

The energy sector was a hotbed for mergers and acquisitions in 2011. Exploration and production companies were involved in $105 billion worth of deals last year, while pipeline companies were targeted in $59 billion worth of transactions. With companies able to access capital at attractive rates, expect deal flow to remain strong in 2012. Here are The Energy Strategist's top takeover plays for the coming year. Read More