Energy

Oppenheimer's Lack of Enthusiasm for Ethanol (AVR, PEIX, VSE)

Oppenheimer has initiated coverage of the down and out US-ethanol sector, and the group was given a lackluster "Perform" rating.

"Perform" ratings have been assigned to Aventine Renewable Energy (NYSE: AVR), Pacific Ethanol (NASDAQ: PEIX), and VeraSun Energy (NYSE: VSE).

With most of these stocks down by two-thirds or more from their 52-week highs, this won’t help a beleaguered sector.  If you watch SEC filings, you will have probably seen that Bill Gates’ Cascade fund has been selling more and more of those Pacific Ethanol positions (although he took most funds out long ago).

With the exception of the farmers and businesses that this is helping out, it becomes very difficult to find people who still believe the US-based ethanol program does any good other than helping boost the cost of agriculture. 

As we have maintained: "If Iowa wasn’t the first state on the presidential election circus, ethanol would be handled far differently."

Jon C. Ogg
April 25, 2008

Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good

Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.