Business Intelligence and Analytics 30

Friday, September 20, 2019

Business Intelligence and Analytics 30

1              Research: Changing Your Mind Makes You Seem Intelligent
https://hbr.org/2019/09/research-changing-your-mind-makes-you-seem-intelligent
Hard-headedness seems to be rampant. From the boardroom to politics to everyday interactions, we often encounter people (and may also find ourselves) upholding a stance despite evidence of its inaccuracy. Take the many well-educated and well-intended individuals who, despite overwhelming factual evidence to the contrary, continue to deny climate change or believe that vaccines cause autism.

2              The Top 5 Most Important Metrics to Customer Success Teams
https://www.business2community.com/brandviews/teamsupport/the-top-5-most-important-metrics-to-customer-success-teams-02242751

With more companies creating and expanding their customer success teams than ever before, it’s critical that leadership focuses on the right metrics to accurately gauge their work. Remember, this team isn’t just an extension of customer support, so common metrics like average ticket close time will fail at accurately representing their contribution to your company.

3              See The 6 Data Scientist Archetypes You Will Find In Every Organisation
https://www.analyticsindiamag.com/see-the-6-data-scientist-archetypes-you-will-find-in-every-organisation/

It is the sexiest job of the 21st century and the job profile has gained significant popularity over the last few years. Although a lot has been covered on how to make a career as a data scientist, we still haven’t explored the types of data scientists which we find in the industry. What we see is in most organisations, data scientists specialise in one type or another.

4              AI for Retail and CPG in a Consumer-Driven Era
https://blog.dataiku.com/ai-for-retail-and-cpg-in-a-consumer-driven-era
With AI and new technologies radically transforming the way consumers engage with brands, products, and services in our everyday lives, there’s hardly been a more exciting time to be in the retail industry.

5              How 5G will transform our ability to work from home — Quartz at Work
https://qz.com/work/1707685/how-5g-will-transform-our-ability-to-work-from-home/
Thanks to greatly improved internet connectivity and workforce applications, employees in an increasing number of professions can work just about anywhere they want—in their home, at a coffee shop, on a plane. And chances are they’re more  productive and more engaged than they would be if they were in the office. They may even be planning to stay in their job longer because of their flexible work location. In 2017, Stanford economics professor Nicholas Bloom, in a TED Talk, went so far as to call work-from-home potentially as innovative as the driverless car.

6              8 Must-Have Elements for an Impressive Startup Landing Page
https://www.business2community.com/marketing/8-must-have-elements-for-an-impressive-startup-landing-page-02240484

Making a compelling and high-converting landing page might sound simple, but every marketer knows far too well how challenging this can be. WordStream found that 80% of traffic goes to just the top 10% of landing pages.

7              5 Beginner Friendly Steps to Learn Machine Learning and Data Science with Python
https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/09/5-beginner-friendly-steps-learn-machine-learning-data-science-python.html

Two years ago, I started learning machine learning online on my own. I shared my journey through YouTube and my blog. I had no idea what I was doing. I’d never coded before but decided I wanted to learn machine learning.

When people find my work, they sometimes reach out and ask questions. I don’t have all the answers but I reply to as many as I can. The most common question I get is “where do I start?” The next most common question is “how much math do I need to know?”

8              The Basics of Business Intelligence Dashboards
https://www.unleashedsoftware.com/blog/basics-business-intelligence-dashboards

If you’re an inventory manager or a business owner, having data about the way your business runs can be a game-changer. However, gathering data is only part of the equation. Collating and analysing a wealth of information can be a tedious challenge, especially in the face of insurmountable piles of data.

9              How Data Analytics Can Drive Innovation
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/data-analytics-innovation/
Data presents an invaluable opportunity for firms to innovate, but only if they know what to do with it. In her latest research, Wharton professor of operations, information and decisions Lynn Wu looks at how different organizational structures influence the use of data analytics to spur innovation. Her paper, “Data Analytics Supports Decentralized Innovation,” is forthcoming in the journal Management Science and was co-authored by Wharton operations, information and decisions professor Lorin Hitt and Wharton doctoral candidate Bowen Lou.

10           Data and AI: Joining hands for the future of marketing
https://www.thedrum.com/news/2019/09/18/data-and-ai-joining-hands-the-future-marketing

What do your customers want from you? The age old question which marketers have been chasing since the dawn of commerce will take center stage as The Drum teams up with Microsoft Advertising to bring you The Future of Marketing is Customer Experience, a panel with industry experts from leading brands and agencies, during Advertising Week New York.

11           Which Data Science Skills are core and which are hot/emerging ones?
https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/09/core-hot-data-science-skills.html

1. Which skills / knowledge areas do you currently have (at the level you can use in work or research)? and
   2. Which skills do you want to add or improve?

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 29

Friday, September 13, 2019

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 29

1              Growth in service industry set to take a hit
https://www.rystadenergy.com/newsevents/news/press-releases/growth-in-service-industry-set-to-take-a-hit/

Lower oil prices will push the global service market into a recession in 2020 after three successive years of growth, according to Rystad Energy. In a new sector outlook update, Audun Martinsen, head of oilfield services research at Rystad Energy, forecasts a 4% decline in global oilfield service revenue if oil prices stay flat next year.

2              Oil Demand Growth Weakest In Nearly A Decade
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Oil-Demand-Growth-Weakest-In-Nearly-A-Decade.html

The U.S. EIA said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook that it expects oil demand to grow by only 0.9 million barrels per day (mb/d) this year, the latest in a series of downgrades from the agency. In July, it said 2019 demand would grow by 1.1 mb/d and in June it said 1.2 mb/d. The EIA started off the year expecting demand to grow by 1.5 mb/d this year.

3              Can The Energy Industry Rise To The Challenge Of Climate Change?
https://www.woodmac.com/news/feature/can-the-energy-industry-rise-to-the-challenge-of-climate-change/

The statement above from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the central aim of The Paris Agreement, ratified at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21).

4              Mexico’s Growing Reliance on US Oil Will Continue
https://www.rigzone.com/news/mexicos_growing_reliance_on_us_oil_will_continue-13-sep-2019-159793-article/

Proven oil reserves in Mexico have collapsed from 50 billion barrels 20 years ago to just 8 billion barrels today.

5              Oman: Forget $80 Oil, Producers Should Get Used To $60 Oil
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Oman-Forget-80-Oil-Producers-Should-Get-Used-To-60-Oil.html

Oil producing nations should get used to living in a world of US$60 a barrel oil, because US$80 oil is unlikely in the current market environment, Oman’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, told Russian news agency TASS in a recent interview.

6              Oil Price Fundamental Daily Forecast – Concerns Over Lower Demand, Higher Supply Capping Prices
https://www.fxempire.com/forecasts/article/oil-price-fundamental-daily-forecast-concerns-over-lower-demand-higher-supply-capping-prices-600043

As far as the news is concerned, a further easing of tensions between the United States and China could underpin prices, but the announcement of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani could trigger a steep break.

7              Natural Gas Price Fundamental Daily Forecast
https://www.fxempire.com/forecasts/article/natural-gas-price-fundamental-daily-forecast-reaction-to-2-619-to-2-635-determines-todays-direction-600018

If the tropical storm hits Florida then we could see a drop in demand, which could help accelerate the selling pressure. If the storm move into the Gulf of Mexico and strengthens then this could be a bullish development next week since it could pose a threat to natural gas infrastructure near Louisiana and Texas.

8              Weekly resin report: In a murky contract environment, spot market discounts attract buyers
https://www.plasticstoday.com/resin-pricing/weekly-resin-report-murky-contract-environment-spot-market-discounts-attract-buyers/141938474461488

Rousing itself from a post-Labor-Day slumber, the resin market awoke midweek with solid demand and heavy turnover, reported the PlasticsExchange (Chicago) in its Market Update. The typical order size was larger than usual last week, as some buyers, apparently pleased with the current price level, secured material not only for immediate needs, but also for delivery throughout the next month and sometimes two.

9              IHS Markit: US Natural Gas Prices To Fall To 50-Year Low
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Gas-Prices/IHS-Markit-US-Natural-Gas-Prices-To-Fall-To-50-Year-Low.html

Huge natural gas stockpiles in the United States are set to push prices for the fuel to a near 50-year low, IHS Markit said on Thursday in a new report, with Henry Hub nat gas prices averaging $1.92 per million British thermal units in 2020.

10           Gas to Become Primary Energy Source in 2026
https://www.rigzone.com/news/gas_to_become_primary_energy_source_in_2026-11-sep-2019-159770-article/

DNV GL sees global gas demand overtaking demand for oil in 2026 to become the world’s primary energy source.

11           Exclusive: Repsol in advanced talks to buy Exxon assets in Gulf of Mexico
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-exxon-mobil-gulfmexico-repsol-exclusi-idUSKCN1VU2JF
Spanish oil giant Repsol SA is in advanced talks to acquire some deepwater assets in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico from Exxon Mobil Corp for about $1 billion, three people familiar with the matter said on Monday.

12           BP unveils measures to battle methane leaks
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bp-methane-idUSKCN1VV1BD
BP is introducing continuous monitoring of methane leaks at new oil and gas projects using drones and surveillance cameras, in a bid to cut emissions of the potent greenhouse gas to near zero.

13           European recycled plastics market set for 5% growth
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/european-recycled-plastics-market-set-5-growth
Concerns over the environmental impact of virgin plastics as well as cost and energy savings are driving demand for recycled plastics in Europe, according to a recently published report by the Dublin-based market research platform, Research and Markets.

14           LyondellBasell forms JV for PE, PP, feedstocks in China
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/lyondellbasell-forms-jv-pe-pp-feedstocks-china

Global petrochemicals leader LyondellBasell Industries will operate a major production unit in China through a partnership with a local firm. LBI — based in Rotterdam and Houston — will form the JV with Liaoning Bora Enterprise Group (Bora). Together, LBI and Bora will operate an ethylene cracker and downstream polyethylene and polypropylene resin units in Panjin, China. Hong Kong-based Bora began building the plant earlier this year.

15           Dow, SCG to make recycled, sustainable products
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/dow-scg-make-recycled-sustainable-products
In a far-reaching program, plastics and chemicals giant Dow Inc. will work with industrial firm SCG of Thailand on a range of sustainable products.

Products made by the partnership will include recycled resin, recycled products made from plastic waste, petrochemical feedstocks from plastic waste and renewable plastic resins. The agreement was signed Sept. 6 in Bangkok.

Business Intelligence and Analytics 29

Friday, September 13, 2019

Business Intelligence and Analytics 29

1              The 4 Big Data Positions to Fill to Create a Successful Analytics Team
https://datafloq.com/read/4-big-data-positions-successful-analytics-team/6866

For a few years now, big data has been one of the hottest types of business technology around. The high-visibility big data successes like Amazon, Facebook, and Netflix have sent everyone from Fortune 1000 businesses to SMEs of every kind scrambling to climb aboard the big data train. In the process, they’ve created a labor market that’s short on experts, and that has seen some of the strongest wage growth of any sector.

2              Automated Machine Learning for Professionals – Updated
https://www.datasciencecentral.com/profiles/blogs/automated-machine-learning-for-professionals-updated

Summary: As the Automated Machine Learning (AML) movement got underway a few years back there was an early branch between proprietary platforms and open source platforms.  In this article we’ll update you on leading open source AML tools.  Since they continue to require fluency in Python or R we label them “professional”.

3              5 Innovative Ways Procurement Can Use Data Analytics
https://www.sourcetoday.com/supply-chain/5-innovative-ways-procurement-can-use-data-analytics

Big data. Key performance metrics. Predictive data analytics. Structured and unstructured data. The list of terms used to describe the vast quantities of information being generated by organizations—and the methods for using that data—seems to be proliferating as quickly as the data itself. Figuring out what to do with all of this information can be downright daunting, but the good news is that procurement is in a prime position to use data to develop reports, perform spend analysis, assess suppliers, and do compliance checks.

4              How Technology is Revolutionizing Sales Engagement Platforms
https://www.business2community.com/brandviews/dealhub/how-technology-is-revolutionizing-sales-engagement-platforms-02239180

Did you know that 75% of businesses say that closing more sales deals is their number one priority? However, in a survey by HubSpot 40% of sales representatives said it is becoming more difficult to get replies from their prospective customers.

5              The 5 Graph Algorithms That Data Scientists Should Know
https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/09/5-graph-algorithms-data-scientists-know.html

In a connected world, users cannot be considered as independent entities. They have got certain relationships between each other and we would sometimes like to include such relationships while building our machine learning models.

6              Top 4 Ways Big Data and Predictive Analytics Can Benefit More Stakeholders
https://www.analyticsinsight.net/top-4-ways-big-data-and-predictive-analytics-can-benefit-more-stakeholders/

Big data and predictive analytics have undoubtedly changed business as we know it. Large enterprises that have effectively leveraged predictive analytics like Amazon, Netflix, and Walmart are all enjoying massive success in their respective industries. Their data efforts have allowed them to engage customers effectively through targeted marketing and be more efficient by streamlining their supply chains.

7              How customer shopping data is used to promote groceries
https://medium.com/@So1_ai/how-customer-shopping-data-is-used-to-promote-groceries-54e3a39d5b75

One of the best ways to inspire customers is a well-designed thematic promotion. That’s why retailers’ circulars are full of recipes from famous chefs and stores are changing into showrooms of world cuisines. But with so many products and brands available, it’s never easy to design weekly promotions that will engage with shoppers, attract them to the stores and increase their spend.

8              How to Choose the Right Analytics Skills
https://www.informationweek.com/big-data/big-data-analytics/how-to-choose-the-right-analytics-skills/a/d-id/1335713

Just because an analyst hits the ground running does not mean that analyst has the ongoing breadth needed to solve every day analytics problems.

9              8 AI Trends in Today’s Big Enterprise
https://www.informationweek.com/big-data/big-data-analytics/8-ai-trends-in-todays-big-enterprise/d/d-id/1335771
A new KPMG report provides an inside view into how big companies are investing in and deploying artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.

10           How Companies Can Reduce the Risk of Disasters
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/companies-reduce-the-risk-of-disasters/
As Hurricane Dorian demonstrated last week in the Bahamas and elsewhere, catastrophe can strike without warning with devastating force. How can companies prepare to respond when that happens?

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 28

Friday, September 6, 2019

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 28

1              Three Essential Factors For Oil Prices In 2020

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Oil-Prices/Three-Essential-Factors-For-Oil-Prices-In-2020.html

In a market update, Bjørnar Tonhaugen, head of oil market research at Rystad Energy, argues that a balanced oil market in 2020 is contingent on these pillars:

1. No global recession
2. Continued OPEC production cuts
3. The effect of new IMO 2020 regulations

2              Crude Oil Price Update – Strengthens Over $55.72, Weakens Under $55.30
https://www.fxempire.com/forecasts/article/crude-oil-price-update-strengthens-over-55-72-weakens-under-55-30-598606

Based on the earlier price action, the direction of the October WTI crude oil futures contract the rest of the session on Friday is likely to be determined by trader reaction to the short-term 50% level at $55.30.

3              Natural Gas Price Fundamental Daily Forecast
https://www.fxempire.com/forecasts/article/natural-gas-price-fundamental-daily-forecast-trade-through-2-388-could-signal-end-of-short-squeeze-598630

Given Thursday’s technical higher-high, lower-close, or closing price reversal top, we may have seen the top, but we can’t be sure until the chart pattern is confirmed. Natural gas futures are trading slightly lower on Friday shortly after the regular session opening. The market is trading inside yesterday’s wide range, which suggests investor indecision and impending volatility.

4              European Gas Prices Plunge To 10-Year Low
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/European-Gas-Prices-Plunge-To-10-Year-Low.html

Natural gas prices in Europe are set to drop even lower than the current ten-year lows this fall. Storage facilities across the continent are fuller than usual for this time of the year. Natural gas suppliers are not expected to curb deliveries despite the low prices, abundant supply, and tepid demand. The winter heating season in October is set to begin with temperatures around or above seasonal norms, early forecasts suggest.

5              Generally Flat Pricing Projected for Volume Resins Heading into 4th Quarter
https://www.ptonline.com/blog/post/generally-flat-pricing-projected-for-volume-resins-heading-into-4th-quarter
As we approach the start of fourth quarter, it appears that prices of nearly all volume resins eroded in various degrees through most of the third quarter. Major drivers include supply outstripping demand, a slowdown in some key markets such as automotive and construction, lower GDP, slowed global demand, and tariff-related issues.

6              Weekly resin report: Processors tap into spot polyethylene market for substantial savings
https://www.plasticstoday.com/resin-pricing/weekly-resin-report-processors-tap-spot-polyethylene-market-substantial-savings/162994076161463

Spot resin trading slowed just a touch but remained lively heading into the long Labor Day weekend, reports the PlasticsExchange (Chicago) in its Market Update. Commodity resin prices were mixed, as August, the best month of the year so far for the resin clearinghouse, came to a close

7              Six EU Petrochemical Companies Form Consortium To Investigate Operating Naphtha/Steam Crackers Using Renewable Electricity
http://www.plastemart.com/news-plastics-information/Six-EU-petrochemical-companies-form-consortium-to-investigate-operating-naphthasteam-crackers-using-renewable-electricity/52770

Six petrochemical companies in Flanders, Belgium, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and the Netherlands (Trilateral Region) have announced the creation of a consortium to jointly investigate how naphtha or gas steam crackers could be operated using renewable electricity instead of fossil fuels.

8              U.S. shale firms cut budgets, staff as oil-price outlook dims
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-oil-slump-idUSKCN1VR15P

Oil producers and their suppliers are cutting budgets, staffs and production goals amid a growing consensus of forecasts that oil and gas prices will stay low for several years.

9              ‘Most renewable energy companies’ linked with claims of abuses in mines
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/05/most-renewable-energy-companies-claims-mines

Most of the world’s top companies extracting key minerals for electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines have been linked with human rights abuses in their mines, research has found.

10           BP aims to sell more U.S. crude to Asia, boost LNG supplies in early 2020s
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-asia-oil-gas-bp-idUSKCN1VR0W0

Oil major BP (BP.L) plans to sell more U.S. crude to Asia as its shale oil production grows, seeking to capitalize on growth in the world’s key demand region.

11           Exclusive: Exxon agrees $4 billion sale of Norway oil and gas assets
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-exxon-mobil-m-a-norway-exclusive-idUSKCN1VQ23W

Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) has agreed to sell its Norwegian oil and gas assets for up to $4 billion, marking the U.S. firm’s exit from production in the country after more than a century, three sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

12           European recycled plastics market set for 5% growth
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/european-recycled-plastics-market-set-5-growth

Concerns over the environmental impact of virgin plastics as well as cost and energy savings are driving demand for recycled plastics in Europe, according to a recently published report by the Dublin-based market research platform, Research and Markets.

Business Intelligence and Analytics 28

Friday, September 6, 2019

Business Intelligence and Analytics 28

1              10 Machine Learning Methods that Every Data Scientist Should Know

https://www.datasciencecentral.com/profiles/blogs/10-machine-learning-methods-that-every-data-scientist-should-know

Machine learning is a hot topic in research and industry, with new methodologies developed all the time. The speed and complexity of the field makes keeping up with new techniques difficult even for experts — and potentially overwhelming for beginners. To demystify machine learning and to offer a learning path for those who are new to the core concepts, let’s look at ten different methods, including simple descriptions, visualizations, and examples for each one.

2              Why is DATA important for your business?
https://towardsdatascience.com/how-important-is-data-for-your-business-c15a35c6935e

A human body has five sensory organs, each one transmits and receives information from every interaction every second. Today, scientists can determine how much information does a human brain receive and guess what! Humans receive 10 million bitsof information in one second. Similar for a computer when it downloads a document from the web over a fast internet.

3              Manage Your Leads With Tags: 8 Benefits Worth Checking
https://www.business2community.com/marketing-automation/manage-your-leads-with-tags-8-benefits-worth-checking-02237178

Lead generation processes are evolving. Whether you are using manual forms, API integrations or retargeting, the one thing that makes a lead’s quality better than another, is the amount of progressive data you have gathered around that lead.

4              How to Use Customer Service to Drive a Better Customer Experience
https://www.business2community.com/customer-experience/how-to-use-customer-service-to-drive-a-better-customer-experience-02237045

It’s not very common for customers to contact customer service when everything is going fine. No, it’s at times when something unexpected happens, situations like their order didn’t arrive when anticipated, the product is broken, or instructions aren’t clear.

5              Advice on building a machine learning career and reading research papers by Prof. Andrew Ng
https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/09/advice-building-machine-learning-career-research-papers-andrew-ng.html

Andrew shared two major recommendations, specifically:

1. Reading research papers: efficient techniques ,that he uses, to read research papers when trying to master a new topic in deep learning.
2. Advice for navigating a career in machine learning.

6              Why U.S.-China Supply Chains Are Stronger Than the Trade War

https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/trade-war-supply-chain-impact/?utm_source=kw_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2019-09-05

While the trade war between the U.S. and China continues to take its toll, global supply chains provide a “force for reason” in ending the standoff because they bind the two countries in prosperity, writes Wharton dean Geoffrey Garrett in this opinion piece.

7              4 aspects to consider for Achieving Artificial intelligence Progress
https://medium.com/@manager_77257/4-aspects-to-consider-for-achieving-artificial-intelligence-progress-3e64fd9a20d6

Artificial Intelligence conquers more and more different areas in business and to present its new solutions to old problems. An attempt to introduce artificial intelligence was driven by business, and not everyone said it was successful enough. And now the logistics industry is also making attempts to implement AI.

8              Data without Borders: How Synthesis Enables Ethical Sharing
https://insidebigdata.com/2019/09/04/data-without-borders-how-synthesis-enables-ethical-sharing/

In this special guest feature, Mike Capps, CEO of Diveplane, discusses why organizations should consider synthesizing their data, what that process entails, what the benefits and use cases of synthesized data are and why he believes synthesized data is the key to not only a successful data/AI project, but also to a successful data-driven future.

9              MIT report examines how to make technology work for society
http://news.mit.edu/2019/work-future-report-technology-jobs-society-0904

Automation is not likely to eliminate millions of jobs any time soon — but the U.S. still needs vastly improved policies if Americans are to build better careers and share prosperity as technological changes occur, according to a new MIT report about the workplace.

10           What’s the difference between analytics and statistics?
https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/09/difference-analytics-statistics.html

Statistics and analytics are two branches of data science that share many of their early heroes, so the occasional beer is still dedicated to a lively debate about where to draw the boundary between them. Practically, however, modern training programs bearing those names emphasize completely different pursuits. While analysts specialize in exploring what’s in your data, statisticians focus more on inferring what’s beyond it.

Summer Recess: Back after Labor Day.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Dear readers, our Curated Newsletters will take a summer recess during August. Energy and Petrochem as well as Business Intelligence and Analytics will be back every Friday in September after Labor Day. We wish everyone a wonderful summer!

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 27

Friday, July 26, 2019

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 27

1              Oil on track for weekly gain as Iran tensions support
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil-idUSKCN1UL02Z
Oil prices rose on Friday and were on track for a weekly increase as geopolitical tensions over Iran remained unresolved, although flagging prospects for global economic growth amid the U.S.-China trade war capped gains.

2              Oil Price Fundamental Daily Forecast – Strong GDP Data Could Ease Concerns Over Lower Demand
https://www.fxempire.com/forecasts/article/oil-price-fundamental-daily-forecast-strong-gdp-data-could-ease-concerns-over-lower-demand-588926
Although speculative buyers continue to buy futures and options contracts in case there is a supply disruption in the Middle East, traders don’t really believe a military conflict is imminent.

3              Natural Gas Price Fundamental Daily Forecast
https://www.fxempire.com/forecasts/article/natural-gas-price-fundamental-daily-forecast-low-demand-could-trigger-break-under-2-192-588917

From a technical perspective, the market will remain bearish as long as it stays below this week’s high at $2.305. A move through this level will change the main trend to up. Even before buyers get a shot at this top, buyers will have to overtake retracement level resistance at $2.253 and $2.296.

4              Global PE market faces ‘most formidable set of issues,’ PP keeps rolling
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/global-pe-market-faces-most-formidable-set-issues-pp-keeps-rolling

The global polyethylene resin market might be facing more challenges than the polypropylene market is at least in the short term. “Global polyethylene is groping with the most formidable set of issues ever,” IHS Markit analyst Nick Vafiadis said at the Global Plastics Summit, June 4-6 in Houston.

5              PE at center of mixed resin pricing picture for June
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/pe-center-mixed-resin-pricing-picture-june

North American prices for polyethylene resin led a chaotic market in June. A number of PE buyers in the region saw prices fall an average of 3 cents in June. Although the number of buyers seeing the drop was not as high as anticipated by market watchers, buyers who did not see the drop in June are expected to see it by the end of July.

6              Demand for recycled PET complicates market outlook, PS has ‘some options’
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/demand-recycled-pet-complicates-market-outlook-ps-has-some-options
Global markets for PET bottle resin and polystyrene are keeping their heads above water in 2019. Virgin PET is facing challenges from sustainability-fueled demand for more recycled PET, IHS Markit analyst Tison Keel said at Global Plastics Summit 2019, June 4-6 in Houston.

7              Did Trump’s ‘Plan B’ For Iran Just Fail?
https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/Did-Trumps-Plan-B-For-Iran-Just-Fail.html

The Trump administration’s plan to rally global naval powers to protect shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf is not progressing very well.

8              Mexico’s Very Risky Energy Bet
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Mexicos-Very-Risky-Energy-Bet.html
Mexico’s new government came into power with promises to turn around the country’s oil industry and boost production after, it said, the previous government failed. Despite these promises and the first decisive steps towards them, some analysts remain skeptical about the prospects of success.

9              Market braces for Mexico’s annual oil hedge, trading surges: sources
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-markets-mexico-idUSKCN1UH0CX

The global oil derivatives market braces itself every year in late spring and summer for the hedge, the market’s largest and most secretive financial oil deal. This year, Mexico has faced several challenges in executing the hedge and timing has become a crucial factor.

10           Phillips 66 quarterly profit rises as it ships more crude
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-phillips-66-results-idUSKCN1UL1C0

U.S. refiner Phillips 66 reported a 4.3% rise in quarterly adjusted profit on Friday as it earned more by shipping crude through its pipelines, which more than offset a fall in refining margins.

11           Brazil’s Petrobras reports 3.8% growth in Q2 oil, gas output
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-petrobras-production-idUSKCN1UL17T
Brazil’s state oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA said on Friday total second-quarter oil and gas production was 2.633 million barrels per day of oil equivalent (BOE), up 3.8% from the previous quarter.

12           $5.6 billion petrochemical facility in the works for Prince George Prince George, Northern BC
https://ckpgtoday.ca/2019/07/24/5-6-billion-petrochemical-facility-in-the-works-for-prince-george/

West Coast Olefins of Calgary has purchased a 300-acre site in the BCR Industrial Area within the City of Prince George in preparation of a $5.6 billion petrochemical project at the site.

13           ExxonMobil announces new PE plant startup in Beaumont, Texas
https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/petrochemicals/072419-exxonmobil-announces-new-pe-plant-startup-in-beaumont-texas

ExxonMobil on Wednesday announced the startup of a new 650,000 mt/year polyethylene plant at its Beaumont, Texas, refining and chemical complex, the latest in more than 13 million mt/year of new US PE capacity online, under construction or planned through 2028.

14           Valero Energy profit falls 32% on higher heavy crude prices
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-valero-energy-results-idUSKCN1UK1CX

Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N) reported a 32.2% fall in quarterly profit on Thursday, as the company struggled to find low-cost heavy crude, hurting its refining margins.

15           Total plans $5 billion in asset sales as second-quarter profit falls
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-total-results-idUSKCN1UK0KO

French energy giant Total (TOTF.PA) will sell around $5 billion worth of assets, mostly from its upstream exploration and production business, as it seeks to focus on low breakeven projects that can weather weak oil prices, it said on Thursday.

16           Dow cuts capital budget by $500M amid global uncertainty
https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Dow-cuts-capital-budget-by-500M-amid-global-14129183.php

Dow Chemical will cut its capital expenditure budget by $500 million this year amid global uncertainty and a slowdown in buying, the chemical maker said Thursday. Dow, which has operations in the Houston area, said it plans to reduce its capital spending for this year to $2 billion from $2.5 billion.

17           Higher Production Helps Suncor Quarterly Profits Soar
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Higher-Production-Helps-Suncor-Quarterly-Profits-Soar.html

An increase in crude oil production and refining during the second quarter helped to boost Suncor’s operating profit for the period to US$950 million (C$1.253 billion) despite the negative effect of lower benchmark oil prices, the company said in its second-quarter financial report.

18           Major Setback For EVs Could Delay Peak Oil Demand
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Major-Setback-For-EVs-Could-Delay-Peak-Oil-Demand.html

Peak oil demand might be delayed as the U.S. and China scale back support for fuel efficiency and electric vehicles.

Business Intelligence and Analytics 27

Friday, July 26, 2019

Business Intelligence and Analytics 27

1              GM’s A. Charles Thomas on the Evolution of Chief Data Officer
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/evolution-of-chief-data-officer/
From a lone statistician toiling over narrowly defined problems for the marketing department, to a C-level executive overseeing a mission-critical area impacting every function of the company, the meaning of “data and analytics professional” has changed a lot in recent years. A. Charles Thomas’s career has reflected those developments.

2              Improving strategic execution with machine learning
http://mitsloanexperts.mit.edu/improving-strategic-execution-with-machine-learning-michael-schrage/
Machine learning (ML) is changing how leaders use metrics to drive business performance, customer experience, and growth. A small but growing group of companies is investing in ML to augment strategic decision-making with key performance indicators (KPIs).

3              Green Cloud Computing – The Sustainable Way to Use the Cloud -Big Data Analytics News
https://bigdataanalyticsnews.com/green-cloud-computing-sustainable-use/
The growing demand for cloud infrastructure has led to a dramatic increase in energy consumption. This desire for power has significantly contributed to the environment’s carbon footprint.  The ever increasing demand for energy is primarily due to the exponential growth of data centers with thousands of servers and other infrastructures.

4              Fantastic Four of Data Science Project Preparation
https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/07/fantastic-four-data-science-project-preparation.html

In classic comic form, the Fantastic Four of Data Science Project Preparation were originally introduced via cameo in the Data Avengers… Assemble! article. So if you happen to have that post, hang on to it. It will undoubtedly be worth something some day.

5              3 Ways Your Customers Can Help Your Company Turn Around a Failing Product
https://www.business2community.com/strategy/3-ways-your-customers-can-help-your-company-turn-around-a-failing-product-02223065

In the world of SaaS products, fine-tuning is a near constant endeavor. Every product goes through the process of checks and balances, and sometimes there are more downs than ups. Just because you have a ‘failing’ product doesn’t mean it’s time to pack up shop. Instead, this could be the perfect opportunity to revamp and refocus your go-to-market strategy.

6              9 Formidable Big Data Analytics Tools for 2019
https://datafloq.com/read/9-formidable-big-data-analytics-tools-for-2019/6658
Typically big data is reckoned by its size, but experts also give credit to information technologies that are assisting analysts in analyzing huge clusters of unstructured data to make sense of data trends, patterns, and anomalies. Big Data is a crucial asset for Business Intelligence (BI) for industries ranging from manufacturing to banking, professional services to entertainment, including the federal government. International Data Corporation (IDC) has forecast that global spending on big data technologies will reach $260 billion by 2022.

7              6 BI Implementation Issues to Avoid and AI for Better Decisions
https://medium.com/@InDataLabs/6-bi-implementation-issues-to-avoid-and-ai-for-better-decisions-2e8402be5f95

Business intelligence (BI) is a set of strategies and tools that companies can employ to handle the analysis of business data. The tools and solutions, especially custom-made ones, facilitate the work of experts in monitoring KPIs of business, analyzing fast-changing market realities and factors impacting performance. Business intelligence solutions are a trend that is here to empower business owners to make decisions based on rich data, not their gut instinct.

8              Best Practices for Using Endpoint Security to Protect Your Data
https://datafloq.com/read/best-practices-endpoint-security-protect-data/6643
Endpoint security is the protection and monitoring of end-user devices, such as smartphones, laptops, desktop PCs and POS devices, and network access paths, such as open ports or website logins. It goes beyond antivirus tools and includes the use of security software, like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools, on central servers as well as tools on the device itself, such as ad blockers.

9              Microsoft Adds Machine Learning, UI and Enterprise Features to Power BI
https://solutionsreview.com/business-intelligence/microsoft-adds-machine-learning-ui-and-enterprise-features-to-power-bi/

Microsoft has announced a new version of its Power BI platform featuring new machine learning and enterprise functionality, as well as a redesigned user interface. The update, which was made at the Microsoft Business Application Summit, provides capabilities that are familiar to users of Excel and PowerPoint. Users get monthly enhancements that include navigation, streamlined viewing, and user collaboration. According to the official release, several of the feature adds have come directly from community feedback.

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 26

Friday, July 19, 2019

Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics 26

1              Oil Price Fundamental Daily Forecast – Underpinned by US-Iran Tensions, Capped by Demand Worries
https://www.fxempire.com/forecasts/article/oil-price-fundamental-daily-forecast-underpinned-by-us-iran-tensions-capped-by-demand-worries-587647

Escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran could underpin prices today, but gains are likely to be limited by concerns over demand. Furthermore, don’t expected a prolonged rally unless there is an actual supply disruption in the region, especially after bullish speculators were blown out of the market earlier in the week.

2              OPEC’s Oil Giants Give Trading Houses A Run For Their Money
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/OPECs-Oil-Giants-Give-Trading-Houses-A-Run-For-Their-Money.html

OPEC is currently restricting production to keep oil prices from tumbling in an oversupplied market fearful of faltering demand growth. But the national oil companies (NOCs) of the cartel’s largest producers are thinking long term and vying for a large slice of the oil trading pie.

3              Summer natural gas prices on track to be the lowest in more than 20 years – Today in Energy
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=40132

In its July 2019 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts Henry Hub natural gas spot prices for June, July, and August this year will average $2.37 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).

4              IEA does not expect ‘huge increase’ in crude prices: executive director
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iea-oil-india-idUSKCN1UE0BR
The International Energy Agency (IEA) doesn’t expect oil prices to rise significantly because demand is slowing and there is a glut in global crude markets, its executive director said on Friday.

5              Oil Will Go ‘’Bust’’ If Recession Hits
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Oil-Will-Go-Bust-If-Recession-Hits.html

Oil prices plunged again on Thursday, dragged down by fears of slowing demand. An unexpected increase in inventories underscored the downside risk to oil prices. The EIA reported a drawdown in crude stocks, but a huge 9.25 million barrel combined increase in gasoline and diesel inventories, which surprised traders. Also, gasoline demand plunged by 0.5 mb/d in the week ending on July 12, although week-to-week changes are typical and make the data a bit noisy.

6              Allies play hard to get on U.S. proposal to protect oil shipping lanes
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-allies-idUSKCN1UE0KI
The United States is struggling to win its allies’ support for an initiative to heighten surveillance of vital Middle East oil shipping lanes because of fears it will increase tension with Iran, six sources familiar with the matter said.

7              Mexico Goes Full Steam Ahead With $8 Billion Oil Refinery Against Advice
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Mexico-Goes-Full-Steam-Ahead-With-8-Billion-Oil-Refinery-Against-Advice.html

Mexico’s controversial Dos Bocas oil refinery project will indeed be built despite investor criticism, Mexican Energy Minister Rocio Nahle said during a radio broadcast on Thursday

8              LyondellBasell JV to add PP capacity in Thailand
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/lyondellbasell-jv-add-pp-capacity-thailand

LyondellBasell Industries plans to add more than a half-billion pounds of annual polypropylene resin production through a joint venture in Thailand.

9              China to drive global propylene industry growth
https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/18072019/china-to-drive-global-propylene-industry-growth/

China is expected to drive the global propylene industry growth from planned and announced plants between 2019 and 2030, contributing around 33% of the total propylene capacity additions,

10           Tetra Pak becomes ‘first carton packaging’ company to launch paper straws in Europe
https://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/environment/marine-litter-environment/tetra-pak-becomes-first-carton-packaging-company-launch-paper-straws-europe-19-07-2019

The carton packaging giant said it is the first company to provide such straws for beverage cartons in the region.

11           H2 Outlook: Unfavorable economics will test appetite for sustainability
https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/petrochemicals/071619-h2-outlook-unfavorable-economics-will-test-appetite-for-sustainability

Increased media coverage on the environmental impacts of single-use plastics has fueled huge demand growth in recycled plastics, particularly of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — used to make plastic beverage bottles — and also more recently high density polyethylene ( HDPE), used for a plethora of other consumer goods packaging.

12           Stepped-up cooperation between Borealis and Erema tackles challenge of plastics recyclability
https://www.plasticstoday.com/recycling/stepped-cooperation-between-borealis-and-erema-tackles-challenge-plastics-recyclability/153272341961161

Resin supplier Borealis and recycling systems provider Erema have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the purpose of deepening their cooperation in the field of mechanical recycling.

13           ‘Circular Economy’ Will Be Unifying Theme at K 2019 Show: Plastics Technology
https://www.ptonline.com/blog/post/circular-economy-will-be-unifying-theme-at-k-2019-show
Under the shadow of spreading bans of single-use plastic products and growing public concern over “ocean plastics” pollution, the dominant theme at this October’s K 2019 show in Dusseldorf, Germany, will be recycling, under the currently fashionable label of “Circular Economy.”

14           Americas petrochemicals outlook, w/c July 15
https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/petrochemicals/071519-americas-petrochemicals-outlook-w-c-july-15

Prompt July ethylene prices moved higher over the week. The market closely watched the potential impact of Hurricane Barry, which has been minimal to the operations of the olefins plants. Market participants are still closely watching the timing of the return of the BASF-TOTAL cracker back to operations, as well as ethane prices. The July polymer-grade propylene contract rose over the week. Ongoing turnarounds at the propane dehydrogenation plant of Flint Hills Resources and BASF-TOTAL’s cracker and metathesis unit will be the primary focus of the market participants. The market is watching the duration of those turnarounds, which will impact US propylene stocks, which dropped over the week.

15           IEA launches new tool for tracking oil and gas-related methane emissions
https://www.iea.org/newsroom/news/2019/july/iea-launches-new-tool-for-tracking-oil-and-gas-related-methane-emissions.html

The International Energy Agency has launched a new online tool that tracks oil and gas-related sources of methane, a major and often overlooked greenhouse gas. The new “methane tracker” offers the most comprehensive global picture of methane emissions, covering eight industry areas across more than seventy countries.

Business Intelligence and Analytics 26

Friday, July 19, 2019

Business Intelligence and Analytics 26

1              4 Ways to Harness Business Intelligence for Smart, Data-Driven Decisions
https://www.ilounge.com/articles/4-ways-to-harness-business-intelligence-for-smart-data-driven-decisions

Data-led Business Intelligence is helping millions of businesses make better data-driven decisions. But it’s only being used by the few rather than the many. If you’re thinking about implementing Business Intelligence in future, what are the challenges you might face when choosing the ideal solution? Here’s what you need to know.

2              Four Challenges to Overcome for AI-Driven Customer Experience
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/four-challenges-to-overcome-for-ai-driven-customer-experience/
Are you ready to turn your company’s customer service over to AI-powered virtual agents? Whether your goals include creating a fully digital business, improving customer experience, or cutting costs, virtual agents and automation offer many benefits. But, as with any technology, making the switch isn’t trivial.

3              Comparing Model Evaluation Techniques Part 1: Statistical Tools & Tests
https://www.datasciencecentral.com/profiles/blogs/comparing-model-evaluation-techniques

Evaluating a model is just as important as creating the model in the first place. Even if you use the most statistically sound tools to create your model, the end result may not be what you expected. Which metric you use to test your model depends on the type of data you’re working with and your comfort level with statistics.

4              The Five Steps of Sustained Change
https://www.business2community.com/strategy/the-five-steps-of-sustained-change-02220183
There are five steps that are universal in sustaining change. Whether it is an organizational change or a personal change, if you want it to be sustained, or permanent, you must follow every step.

5              5 Social Media Marketing Tools for Teams That Won’t Break The Bank
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/5-social-media-marketing-tools-for-teams-that-wont-break-the-bank/558751/

Are you looking for social media marketing tools that’ll make your work easier and more effective? Want to improve collaboration between your team and see real results? At the same time, you probably want to achieve these at a low cost. Some tools are simply too costly for your social media budget.

6              Big Data, AI & IoT, Part Three: What’s Stopping Us?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/charlestowersclark/2019/02/22/big-data-ai-iot-part-three-whats-stopping-us/

The progress of AI, Big Data and IoT has been well-documented, but there are still major hurdles to cross before they achieve their full potential.

This series of articles has looked at the promise of Big Data, AI, and IoT, and how they all make up one ecosystem. So after looking at the benefits of these technologies in specific environments, it is worth a review of the obstacles faced before they will realize their full potential.

7              The Death of Big Data and the Emergence of the Multi-Cloud Era
https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/07/death-big-data-multi-cloud-era.html
The Era of Big Data passed away on June 5, 2019, with the announcement of Tom Reilly’s upcoming resignation from Cloudera and subsequent market capitalization drop. Coupled with MapR’s recent announcement intending to shut down in late June, which will be dependent on whether MapR can find a buyer to continue operations, June of 2019 accentuated that the initial Era of Hadoop-driven Big Data has come to an end.

8              Evolution of the Role of Data Organization Methodologies in Software D
https://datafloq.com/read/evolution-data-organization-methodologies/6582
The software development industry is evolving with changes in big data. The need for programmers is growing, but this does not mean that all programmers will benefit. In the United States, software developers face growing challenges in finding work. The BLS estimates that the demand is going to decline by 7%between 2016 and 2026, due to outsourcing overseas.

9              The Role of AI in Data Security
https://datafloq.com/read/role-of-ai-data-security/6616

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered by many to be the present and future of the tech industry. Many industry leaders use AI for various applications to provide valuable services and prepare their businesses for the future.

10           Analyzing the future
http://mitsloanexperts.mit.edu/analyzing-the-future-thomas-davenport/

The rise of data analytics is one of the hallmarks of 21st-century business. By the turn of the century, companies had been accumulating data in various transaction systems for several decades, and many desired to analyze the data to make better decisions. Their interest intensified in the early 2000s as they saw the great success of online firms from Silicon Valley, many of which were highly analytical.