Why Total SA (ADR) (TOT) Earnings Aren’t Climbing With Oil Prices

Total has even made forward-looking investments outside the oil and gas industry. With its majority stake in solar giant SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR), Total continues to seek to establish a solid presence in renewable energy to prepare for the possibility of long-term declines in fossil fuel use. Given increased concerns about rising carbon-dioxide levels, a rise in regulation could make Total’s investment in SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) seem prescient.

In the Total earnings report, watch to see what the company has to say about the recent collapse of spreads between Brent crude prices and those of West Texas Intermediate crude. With the disincentive to import oil to the U.S. beginning to fade, Total might be able to boost its exports and start pushing its earnings higher. In the long run, though, Total needs to keep production growing in order to prosper.

The article Why Total Earnings Aren’t Climbing With Oil Prices originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Dan Caplinger.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool recommends FMC Technologies and Total SA.

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