Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. Military Space News .




OIL AND GAS
Fitch sees Houston at risk from weak oil market
by Daniel J. Graeber
Chicago (UPI) Aug 26, 2015


disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

Fitch Ratings finds the impact of lower crude oil prices will impact U.S. cities differently, though Houston may be a standout in terms of financial risk.

U.S. crude oil prices are down more than 50 percent from this time last year. An increase in oil production, largely from reserve areas like the Eagle Ford shale basin in Texas, has pushed markets toward the supply side.

Fitch found that, since at least the early 1980s, local government finances have been linked strongly to energy prices. Using metrics like tax revenue and gross domestic product, the ratings agency found some Texas cities in particular were pressured by the weak crude oil market.

For the state as a whole, tax collections for June were down 1.4 percent year-on-year, marking an end to a near five-year streak of gains.

"We believe cities like Houston are facing some risk due to the decline in oil," the ratings agency said. "Most major regional and multinational energy companies have offices in the Houston area, exposing it to employment pressures."

The Dallas Federal Reserve found the state as a whole added 35,800 net jobs in July for the largest monthly gain so far in 2015.

Keith Phillips, a senior economist with the bank, said the strength in the jobs market seen in July likely won't last.

"The decline in oil prices may dampen the momentum in job growth in the months ahead," he said in a statement.

The so-called Beige Book published by the Dallas Federal Reserve earlier this year said the low price for crude oil is hurting the state's oil sector. A research report from the bank in June found major economic concerns for the state were the low price of oil and the longevity of the depressed market.

Fitch said a city like Houston has few means to increase tax revenue. Several energy companies this year have announced staff reductions, leaving Houston feeling the brunt of the job market cuts.

"However, Houston's job diversity may mitigate some of this risk," it said. "Roughly 30,000 workers there are employed by hundreds of refining plants in the area, which benefit from lower oil prices."


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle




Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News





OIL AND GAS
Chinese rate cut lifts crude oil prices
New York (UPI) Aug 25, 2015
A Chinese decision to cut a key interest rate, and signs of marginal growth, gave oil prices a lift in Tuesday trading, a day after steep global declines. Brent crude oil prices moved up 3.3 percent in early trading Tuesday to $44.08 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. index for crude oil prices, moved in parallel to $39.55. Both indices dropped more than 4 percent at the open ... read more


OIL AND GAS
Russian Anti-Missile Warning System Protects on Multiple Tiers

Russian Missile Warning System Can Detect Mass Launch of Ballistic Missiles

US runs missile defense wargames to break Russian jamming

Japan requests Aegis systems for new destroyers

OIL AND GAS
Lockheed Developing a Missile That Can Hit Multiple Warheads

BAE Systems to produce more rocket propellant grains

China's New Colossal Missile Launcher Revealed

Chinese motorists spot new missile transport and launch vehicle

OIL AND GAS
Russian-made unmanned/manned drone set for display

Aerovironment to produce Raven UAVs for Spain

Forecast: Triple growth ahead in UAV spending

Meet Chirok: Russia's Unique Hybrid Amphibious Drone

OIL AND GAS
Harris delivers Falcon tactical radios

DLS providing equipment for networked communications

Army funds testing of upgrade to communications system

General Dynamics delivering more digital modular radios to Navy

OIL AND GAS
SRA International to help improve military logistics

Female combat roles in focus as first women become US Rangers

Raytheon given support contract for special ops forces

Robotics firm developing counter-IED manipulator arms for Navy

OIL AND GAS
Nigeria to step up local arms manufacture in Boko Haram fight

French defence minister visits Cairo after warplane deal

Britain extends Lockheed Martin military inventory contract

India clears $4.74 billion defence purchase

OIL AND GAS
Ex-Chinese finance ministry official named to lead AIIB

China to Display Never Seen Before Armaments in WWII End Parade

New tech facilitates preparation of China's V-Day parade

Beijing mobilises 850,000 citizen guards for WWII parade

OIL AND GAS
Louisiana Tech University researchers discover synthesis of a new nanomaterial

Formation of swarms in nanosystems

High-precision control of nanoparticles for digital applications

Camera for the nano-cosmos




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.