For a cool animation of annual Bakken shale oil production from 1985 to 2010, click here.  Note: If 2011 was added, it would be even more impressive, because North Dakota oil production increased this year by about one-third over 2010. HT: … read more >

Wall Street Journal — “U.S. natural gas prices fell to their lowest point in more than two years, underscoring how the nation’s booming energy business is becoming a victim of its own success. Mild weather and oversupply have pushed the … read more >

Top 15 U.S. Exports, January-November 2011 Rank  Export Category  Jan.-Nov. 2011 (millions)   1 Petroleum products $87,543 2 Pharmaceutical preparations $37,547 3 Industrial machines, other $37,456 4 Semiconductors $36,898 5 Chemicals-organic $32,514 6 Plastic materials $30,219 7 Telecommunications equipment $29,885 … read more >

From a December 18 blog post by Paul Krugman, who I happen to agree with on this issue: “One response of inflation-fearers to the absence of the inflationary outburst they’ve been waiting for is to reject the numbers, and claim … read more >

The charts above shows monthly and annual inflation rates from the Billion Prices Project @ MIT over the 12 month period ending at the end of November.  According to the BPP website, the index is “designed to provide real-time information … read more >

Just out from the National Restaurant Association:  ”Driven by positive same-store sales and an increasingly optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose to its highest level in five months. The RPI – a … read more >