Bloomberg The oil boom in the Permian Basin, America’s most prolific crude play, has become a gas boom. With its $2 billion takeover of EagleClaw Midstream Ventures LLC, Blackstone Group LP became the latest company to bet on gas in a basin better known for its oil reserves. Its interest lies in “associated gas” — a term used to …

  SINGAPORE / Reuters China is looking at launching its crude oil futures in Shanghai in the second half of this year, two sources familiar with the matter said, breathing new life into a derivative that was considered shelved only months ago. The contract is aimed at giving China, world’s second-largest oil consumer after the United States, clout in pricing …

  Bloomberg The world’s hottest property stocks are to be found in China as tougher measures to cool real estate prices fail to deter investors. Chinese companies account for nine of the 10 best performers this year on the Bloomberg World Real Estate Index. Among members of the MSCI China Index, Country Garden Holdings Co., Sunac China Holdings Ltd. and …