GPSA Weekly Views

The Mail & Guardian reported that Sasol (my favourite topic after Eskom) is scoring some 100 Million Rand per day on the 160 thousand barrels they produce in oil. That's at $125 a barrel.

In real terms though, a barrel cost Sasol about $85 which would save us a lot on transport costs. With their existing infrastructure and capitol expense down compared to new oil platforms and drills, their shareholders must be smiling all the way to the petrol station.

Some experts reckon that hundreds of fuel stations will be closing down soon as the costs become greater. No wonder some of them fill up the day before an increase and then close shop until the next day. Why sell at the old price if you can make a bit more the next day? Sure, the consumer gets stuffed in the eye but what are they to do?

Same thing applies to our current economic climate. Not that we're the only country that experience a downturn, just that so much can be done to ease the pain. Banks are not in the business of repo-ing homes or cars. They're not secondhand dealerships. They'd much rather you keep your house and are quite prepared to make arrangements to suit your predicament. Bond holders must not wait but run to the bank and make arrangements now. It's gonna get worse.

We'll probably see 1997/98 repeat itself with interest rates above 20%. Some 3 000 homes are being auctioned monthly and cars from one institution alone are over 5 000 a month. Don't default, make a plan.

My most favourite company - Eskom. They need some 26 billion for maintenance only. They've been under spending and now blame failing infrastructure and lack of skills for their current predicament. Is the taxpayer to blame? Can they honestly justify past salaries and bonuses paid to directors? Can we sue them for negligence and our subsequent loss of income? Not to mention electrical components failing due to surges?

In my business we've experienced a huge increase in computer failures directly due to Eskoms failure to provide constant, continuous and reliable power. The insurance companies are coughing up and not Eskom. Sure you can claim from Eskom, if you're prepared to wait till eternity for it to be settled. In the meantime expect insurance premiums to go up.

The we have the so-called responsible corporates, like FNB / Wesbank. Are they really interested in helping the economy along by saving electricity? Next to the Western bypass in Jo'burg they're busy constructing this monstrosity -

FNB

Driving past there not that long ago (same day the above photo was taken) after eleven at night, this was the construction site -

FNB

Doesn't make sense now, does it? There's no-one there for goodness sake! Or did they expect Eskom to turn the lights off?

Let's have your ideas -

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Weekly View
	9 June 2008
The Mail & Guardian reported that Sasol (my favourite topic after Eskom) is scoring some 100 Million Rand per day on the 160 thousand barrels they produce in oil. That's at $125 a barrel. In real terms though, a barrel cost Sasol about $85 which would save us a lot on transport costs. With their existing infrastructure and capitol expense down compared to new oil platforms and drills, their shareholders must be smiling all the way to the petrol station. Some experts reckon that hundreds of fuel stations will be closing down soon as the costs become greater. No wonder some of them fill up the day before an increase and then close shop until the next day. Why sell at the old price if you can make a bit more the next day? Sure, the consumer gets stuffed in the eye but what are they to do? Same thing applies to our current economic climate. Not that we're the only country that experience a downturn, just that so much can be done to ease the pain. Banks are not in the business of repo-ing homes or cars. They're not secondhand dealerships. They'd much rather you keep your house and are quite prepared to make arrangements to suit your predicament. Bond holders must not wait but run to the bank and make arrangements now. It's gonna get worse. We'll probably see 1997/98 repeat itself with interest rates above 20%. Some 3 000 homes are being auctioned monthly and cars from one institution alone are over 5 000 a month. Don't default, make a plan. My most favourite company - Eskom. They need some 26 billion for maintenance only. They've been under spending and now blame failing infrastructure and lack of skills for their current predicament. Is the taxpayer to blame? Can they honestly justify past salaries and bonuses paid to directors? Can we sue them for negligence and our subsequent loss of income? Not to mention electrical components failing due to surges? In my business we've experienced a huge increase in computer failures directly due to Eskoms failure to provide constant, continuous and reliable power. The insurance companies are coughing up and not Eskom. Sure you can claim from Eskom, if you're prepared to wait till eternity for it to be settled. In the meantime expect insurance premiums to go up. The we have the so-called responsible corporates, like FNB / Wesbank. Are they really interested in helping the economy along by saving electricity? Next to the Western bypass in Jo'burg they're busy constructing this monstrosity - Driving past there not that long ago (same day the above photo was taken) after eleven at night, this was the construction site - Doesn't make sense now, does it? There's no-one there for goodness sake! Or did they expect Eskom to turn the lights off? Let's have your ideas - Message Board Free Forums by Bravenet.com	Online Shop Past Views Current Joke Past jokes Gallery Links Current Exchange Rate Daily News Headlines Articles
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