About 60% of America's coal is mined by companies that have been through bankruptcy in the past five years, according to data cited by The Wall Street Journal. Only three of the 10 largest U.S. coal producers have not declared bankruptcy during that period, demonstrating the industry's challenges (high capital intensity, secular decline in coal demand, cheap alternatives [...]

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) reported earnings on November 4, and beleaguered CEO Vicki Hollub kept trying to say all the right things: Oxy's investments will generate 10+% returns at $40 per barrel oilAnadarko cost synergies are on track Protecting Oxy's dividend is still the top priorityThe firm's $10 billion to $15 billion divestiture goal will be reached soonOxy set [...]