[thackney]

In an inflationary economy where the sales price of oil and energy is rising, the absolute earnings are increased thus making the stock a good deal in an inflationary economy.

Was there any other industry on that list to which that would not apply?

The numbers are not absolute but expressed as a percent of sales.

That also shows the expenses climbed in absolute dollars well. Very typical in the oil market. Price goes up; desire for the producers to produce more goes up; demand for rigs, steel, copper, labor goes up; cost for those goes up; expenses for the producers goes up.

I've been riding this roller coaster for a couple decades. It will cycle again, and again.

[Errant]

expenses for the producers goes up.

If y'all are losing money at $55 oil, that means that your costs have almost tripled in the last 10 years. Because the decade before that, y'all were selling oil at less than $30 a barrel and making a nice profit.

I'd almost bet those Saudi Sheiks are having to fly coach to Houston...