Integrated oil company. BP Oil; Arco - First for gasoline retail quality, convenience and value on the US West coast; am/pm - Leading convenience store brand serves customers on the US West coast through 950 outlets; Aral - The brand that stands for outstanding products and customer service on forecourts across Germany; Castrol - Introducing a leader in automotive and specialist lubricants - renowned in 150 countries worldwide.

            Red = 25 day moving average.           Green = 200 day moving average.

Gawd dai oldenrich! tell me after you have populated the whole BB, what's next - world domination?
;>)

Telegraph.co.uk - 25/10/2006

The Questor column - By James Quinn


BP remains in the black but accidents and sliding price of crude take their toll - Questor says Avoid


BP's third-quarter figures were as clear as a barrel filled with black gold.

The headline net profit of $6.9bn (3.7bn) was 58pc up on the period last year. But this year's three months were distorted by an after-tax gain of $1.2bn, and there were other exceptionals - such as unrealised profits on stock - that made a like-for-like comparison difficult.

Strip out this "white noise" and you are left with net profits of $4.55bn, which is below many analysts' estimates of between $4.7bn and $4.8bn.

If this fall signals anything it is that the oil giants' three-year run of record earnings is over. Crude prices are falling and it looks like profits are starting to as well.

Given the size and complexity of a company like BP, maybe wading through an opaque profit and loss account is something shareholders will just have to live with.

And yet, if there was ever a time when investors wanted clarity it is now. A raft of issues - leaks, a fatal explosion and cover-up allegations - has given the impression that BP has lost its way. And confusion over BP's finances does not add to confidence. These days investors are just as worried about whether Lord Browne, chief executive, might be hauled off to a Texas court to answer questions about the refinery explosion; or the financial consequences of the Alaska oil spillages.

Regarding the former, Browne is saying nothing, except that BP is setting aside another $400m to cover compensation claims. It brings the bill, including repairs and lost profits, to 2bn so far. On the latter, BP accepts there is a problem, but will only say that BP is addressing it.

Too many questions, too few answers. Until this changes, avoid the shares.