Editor's note: J.M. Smucker has never used paraffin wax in its Magic Shell dessert topping. A previous version of this story reported otherwise. The Fool regrets the error.
Paraffin wax is one of those handy substances whose petroleum origins are rarely considered. You can find it in scented candles sold by Clorox
We've discussed Motley Fool Global Gains selection Sasol
To put this issue in proper perspective, we're talking about 1.3% of the firm's operating profit, versus nearly 80% for synfuels. The implications herfe are very minor compared to those Sasol is having with tiny intruders at its Oryx gas-to-liquids plant in Qatar. Even in that case, I think Sasol can resolve its present technical problems. The stock has dropped more than 10% since the Oryx news broke; while I'm not prepared to declare Sasol downright cheap, it does look attractive, based on its potential to outperform many of the oil majors over the next decade or more.
Related Foolishness:
- Big Subsidies for Big Coal
- Sasol Will Defeat Tiny Intruders
- Unbelievable Growth is Just the Beginning
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Fool contributor Toby Shute likes to wax philosophical. He doesn't own shares in any company mentioned. Toby does enjoy waxing poetic about the Motley Fool's disclosure policy.