I am not convinced that there is "no question" of the presence of "price gouging" by the energy companies.

We need to look at the gross margin of the companies, not the raw profit numbers. For example, if the gross margin is 10%, and the price of oil doubles, and they pass that doubling along (using the same increase factor that they are having to pay), their profits also double, but their margin remains constant.

Gross margin is one of the many things investors look at when choosing to buy into a company. I would not invest in a company that deliberately reduced its gross margin when the price of their raw materials increased, because my return on investment decreases when they do that.

I do believe in regulation of businesses, especially large multinational corporations, simply because they have too much raw power to abuse those who do not, such as the common, everyday citizen. However, we should also not so restrict the companies that a rational investor would refuse to risk their money on that business, either. It is a fine line that walking is not made any easier when loud accusations of "price gouging" are made when there is no direct evidence of it occurring, only the accusations made in anger by those paying the higher prices.

I think that the record profits and their profit margins going thru the roof pretty much sums it up, Jack.

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