CALGARY - Energy companies start reporting their third-quarter results today amid an environment of plunging oil prices and with credit and equity markets in disarray.8 Q) X) a9 e7 O8 @6 a
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As oil closed at US$74.25, up US$2.40 on the day -- above last week's low of US$67 but a far cry from its peak of US$147 per barrel in July -- it's clear the days of wondering how amazing the profits will be are over.6 d k; B8 ^% b7 f! P
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This time around, capital expenditure plans will be under the microscope. Budgets may still be undergoing finishing touches, but do not expect the Street to wait for the nitty-gritty details. 3 @+ u$ r* j6 J! p4 v 4 C! Z5 @) X1 k5 K. g0 }9 y- BTake the mammoth Suncor Energy Inc. (SU/TSX) as an example of the dramatic cuts that may be coming.# `# F5 I$ P! K* d
1 w1 o. }. k; F& c"We would not be surprised to see Suncor take a more conservative stance towards spending by scaling back its $9-billion to $10-billion 2009 capex program to the $5-billion to $6-billion range," said Andrew Potter, an analyst at UBS Securities Inc.* q! v/ m: [ ^0 t* M9 V