Forbes: Rising Energy Prices Aren't Helping Many Oil-Rich Middle East Nations

By SIMON CONSTABLE

A robust oil market is bringing home the dollars for some key energy-rich nations in the Middle East.

And in some ways, OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) is to blame because of its decision to restrict oil output of its member countries.Read more here.

Forbes: Don't Believe The Hype Surrounding Saudi Arabia's Aramco Bond Deal

By SIMON CONSTABLE

This month's bond sale by Saudi Arabia's oil firm Aramco has taken the investing world by storm.

However, you shouldn't buy into the hype. That's because when you look beyond the headlines, the real reason for the sale is not as it may first seem, according to a recent report.Read more here.

Forbes: Scotland's Ruling Party Makes Questionable Decision: Ditch British Pound "As Soon As Practicable"

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

The bad policy ideas just keep on coming from Scotland' ruling party.

Saturday, the Scottish National Party, which controls Scotland's independent parliament, voted to ditch the British pound "as soon as practicable" when or if the country gains full independence.

The vote appears to be motivated by little more than animosity toward many things English, a recurrent theme for the SNP. It could signal a turn towards Venezuelan-style economics. Read more here.

Fake Scottish pound note

Photo by Alf van Beem, 

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

TheStreet: Why France's Total Is a Much Better Oil Play Than Exxon Mobil

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Investors wanting an oil play should buy France's Total SA over Exxon Mobil. 

Total is a steal when compared to its well-known rival Exxon. Read more here.

TheStreet: Restaurant Brands International Misses Earnings Expectations

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

Higher taxes took a bite out of first-quarter earnings for Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of restaurant brands Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons. Read more here.

Photo by Ismail Hadine on Unsplash

TheStreet: Gardner Denver to Merge with a Division of Ingersoll-Rand - Report

By SIMON CONSTABLE

A deal announcing the merger of North Carolina-based pump manufacturer Gardner Denver Holdings with part of Ingersoll-Rand could come as soon as this week, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. Read more here.

TheStreet: Anadarko to Begin Deal Negotiations With Occidental Petroleum - Report

By SIMON CONSTABLE

There's rarely a dull moment in the oil patch these days.

Anadarko Petroleum has decided to begin talks to sell itself to Occidental Petroleum. Read more here.