🐂 Not all bull runs are created equal. November’s AI picks include 5 stocks up +20% eachUnlock Stocks

Is Texas America's Future?

Published 10/29/2013, 08:56 AM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM
CL
-
IFNC
-

A recent TIME Magazine cover features an engaging collage of the 50 states reassembled to fit within the boundaries of Texas. With a growing number of solid-paying jobs, affordable housing, and low taxes, “the Lone Star State is America’s Future,” declares economist and writer Tyler Cowen.

As a “Texa-Can,” I think the article gives compelling insight into what I’ve personally witnessed during my 20 years living in the states, which is very different from my experience living and working in Canada, where big government and overregulation abound.

I agree with the writer when he says there are “lessons Texas has to teach.” For example, states and cities could deregulate building development “so that rents and home prices could be much lower,” says Cowen. Or occupational licensing could be “scaled back” so that it is not so onerous to start applying one’s skill in the work force.

Notably, “a little more freedom in strategically targeted areas—that is, a little more Texas—could go a long way,” writes Cowen.

Whereas excessive regulations have often diluted the efforts of entrepreneurs and resulted in fewer innovations, lower profitability and less job creation, Texas is quickly becoming the nation’s poster child of how companies, communities, and individuals flourish when allowed to operate under a more business-friendly atmosphere.

Like the saying goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” and that is true for many companies in the state. Did you know that 52 of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Texas? The state is tied with New York in having the second-most Fortune 500 companies.

It may also surprise you to know that these businesses are diverse. Although the state is well-known for its energy companies, such as ExxonMobil, HollyFrontier, Valero Energy, and Marathon Oil, there are many other major industries in the state including technology, airlines, telecommunications, consumer discretionary, and financials. Austin has Whole Foods and Dell. Dean Foods, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, GameStop, and Southwest Airlines are located in Dallas. Sysco and Waste Management are in Houston, to name only a few.

It is more than a twist of fate that Chief Executive magazine has ranked Texas as the best state in which to do business for the ninth year in a row. The magazine bases its annual rankings on taxation and regulation, quality of workforce and living environment. After having talked to hundreds of executives from around the world, I find these metrics are a powerful recipe for success and worthy of replication.

Perhaps after successive years of solid economic growth in Texas, the U.S. is now recognizing how the state offers a balance between prudent regulation and capitalistic risk-taking?

My resources experience tells me Texas could not have had this incredible success without being able to fully capitalize on the innovative technology that has unlocked the vast supplies located in the oil and gas fields. Take a look at the vertical growth in crude oil production this year. On a daily basis, the state is pumping out more than 2.2 million barrels of crude oil each day. At this rate, if Texas were a country, it’d be the world’s 13th largest oil producer.
Texas crude oil productionSince the huge oil and gas boom, the state has taken leadership in the expanding employment in the industry. There are major oil and gas basins throughout the U.S., but research shows Texas has been providing the most jobs in recent years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, since 2010, the oil and gas sector added about 150,000 new positions. An incredible two-thirds were in Texas.

In 2013, oil and gas companies in the Lone Star State persist in leading this job growth too. About 2,400 jobs were added in the second quarter of this year alone.
Texas leads country in oil gas employment gains
Our portfolio managers have many firsthand accounts of the economic growth deep in the heart of Texas. They are often visiting energy companies that report decades of drilling ahead of them in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford. These basins are mere hours from San Antonio, which has been U.S. Global Investors’ home base for more than 40 years.

Many fund families are located far from these enormous energy opportunities, so our entrenchment in this area sets us apart from our competition. We believe this gives us a strategic advantage and is one reason investors have entrusted us with their money for the past 30 years.

We encourage all curious investors to check out TIME’s article on Texas, including the magazine’s top 10 reasons Texas is America’s future.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor. By clicking the link above, you will be directed to a third-party website. U.S. Global Investors does not endorse all information supplied by this website and is not responsible for its content. The following securities mentioned were held by one or more of U.S. Global Investors Funds as of 9/30/13: ExxonMobil, Marathon Petroleum

Latest comments

Loading next article…
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.