As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine, many are wondering how the war and the sanctions placed by the Western world on Russia will impact the world. Russia is one of the largest oil producers in the world and their economy is heavily dependent on their energy sector. The war itself is bound to disrupt Russia’s ability to continue their natural gas output levels, while the sanctions will further limit their ability to market and distribute that natural gas. Prices for gas are already rising as a result of the war and many fear that this trend will only continue if the war intensifies.

A corporate oil investor, and consultant in the natural gas industry, Isaac Toussie stated that the crisis will have dire effects on the price of oil worldwide. A disruption in the production chain, especially in one of the world’s largest producers, is bound to continue to increase barrel prices. As retribution for their actions, countries around the world have placed significant sanctions on Russia for their invasion. Although these sanctions did not aim to hinder Russia’s energy sector, Isaac Toussie stated that these sanctions will nevertheless intensify the negative impact on oil prices. Crude oil prices have risen steadily since the tensions have increased, only to jump up over the past few days. On February 28th, only a few days following the invasion, crude oil prices opened at $95.

Significant additional actions taken by the United States are targeted at handicapping the Russian economy. Most recently, the U.S. has officially severed Russia’s Central Bank’s ability to conduct dollar transactions. The move is part of the reason the Russian ruble collapsed, dropping nearly 30% and forced a shutdown of the Russian stock market. Although none of these actions directly impact oil prices, Toussie mentioned that all of these actions will cause oil prices to continue to rise.

Additionally, oil companies are making executive decisions to exit the Russian market as a result of their invasion. The most notable example of this phenomenon is BP’s recent decision to divest their stake in Rosneft, a Russian oil company. Analysts expect that this will cost the company billions along with losing one of their main sources of oil production. BP had over a 19% stake in the Russian oil company. With similar trends arising amongst other companies, Toussie anticipates that oil companies will undergo an internal shift as a result of this invasion, causing long-term changes to the industry.

However, Toussie also said that the disruptions occurring to the oil industry only show how important natural gas is to the world economy. The world relies on the steady flow of natural gas, and it is pivotal on the ground level of every country in the world. Sustaining the industry and preserving stability in prices is an important economic goal that should be contemplated economically.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial or other advice.

Despite a decline in the use of cigarettes, tobacco companies continue to generate massive amounts of income and free cashflow for their investors. Profits for the largest tobacco companies are steadily increasing with technological advancements into e-cigarette and vaping. However, many investors are hesitant to invest in tobacco companies given the harmful nature of the products that they sell. An acclaimed business consultant and corporate investor in the field, Isaac Toussie explained that while these concerns have validity, there are various arguments available that one could adopt and still feel comfortable investing in tobacco companies.

Tobacco is not a healthy product for the general population. Cigarette smoking can lead to various diseases ranging from emphysema to cancer One argument for still investing in tobacco companies is that the products have extensive warning labels and the regulations and education programs that engulf the industry protect any individuals that don’t consent to the risks associated with smoking. The federal government along with state governments have passed multiple legislative reforms to stop minors from purchasing cigarettes. This has come with restrictions on advertisements and heightened taxes. Education programs on the usage of cigarettes is widespread. The increased amount of education, legislation and reform all restrict individuals who are unaware of the risks from smoking.

A second line of argument Toussie explained is that thousands of retailers sell tobacco products, without any backlash from investors. Retail chains like Walmart and Costco earn millions each year from tobacco and tobacco related products. It’s counter-intuitive to refuse to buy the stock of the maker of tobacco, but endorse an investment in the sellers of tobacco. Furthermore, retail chains throughout the country profit off of the sale of other potentially hazardous materials. For example, Walmart stores across the country market and sell firearms. The public health concerns targeted at tobacco companies, it could be argued, should not stop investors especially given the fact that those same concerns do not hinder investments in many other prominent stocks.

A third line of argument is that public health arguments are made against tobacco companies, while other manufacturers engaged in parallel behaviors do not sustain much backlash. Alcohol causes an estimated 95,000 deaths a year in the United States alone. Alcohol addiction ruins the lives of countless individuals. However, investors generally do not hesitate to invest in alcohol companies as Michelob, Anheuser Busch and Molson Coors are very popular high PE stocks. Just because a product is potentially dangerous doesn’t necessarily mean that investors should shy away from purchasing that company’s stock. A fourth argument lies in freedom of individual choice. The decriminalization of marijuana in many states only furthers that idea: consumers should have the ability to choose the products that they can purchase. This is not an ethical issue for some investors, rather a conscious choice on the part of the consumer to engage in a particular behavior.

In any and all events, Imperial Brands and British American Tobacco have low PEs, high free cashflows and respectable debt levels. Japan Tobacco is not profitable enough and Phillip Morris and Altria have very high PEs and high debt. These fundamentals provide the space for investors who adopt some of the arguments above and feel comfortable investing in this space.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial or other advice.

Financial instruments and investment vehicles are critical tools for the success of the economy that allow investors to purchase assets hand-tailored to their liking. Simple vehicles, such as stock or basic debenture bonds, allow investors to engage with major public companies. More sophisticated investments need skilled tailoring by individuals that have years of experience in the field. One specialist that has created numerous investment structures throughout his career is Isaac Toussie.

Toussie specializes in investment structures inside of the oil and gas industry as well as in land. He has structured investments for several companies in some of the largest oil companies in the world today. For example, Toussie created multiple investment vehicles and groups that made, and continue to make, investments into British Petroleum. In 2021, BP had revenues of $164.19 billion and an operating income of $18.08 billion. BP’s net income in 2021 was $8.49 billion. The company employs over 60,000 employees, sustaining one of the largest workforces in 2021. Investments in BP could be extremely lucrative, especially given the BP advance into wind energy with its recent partnership with Equinor. Toussie has created similar investment platforms and strategies for individuals to invest in Chevron and Exxon, two of the most notable names in the oil industry. Toussie’s ability to structure investments allows investors to benefit from the success of one of the world’s largest oil companies.

Part of Toussie’s creation of these investment vehicles comes with an analysis of risk. Each investment vehicle that he creates comes with a different degree of risk tailored to the particular investors that are spurring the investment. In order to ascertain risk, Toussie utilizes multiple tools to project the potential returns on the investment. One such tool is a sensitivity analysis. A sensitivity analysis method of assessing the risk of an investments by projecting multiple values for a given set of variables, like discount rate and output levels. By projecting multiple values for each variable, investors can have a better understanding of what could happen to their investment if certain events come to pass. The analysis incorporates the variability of certain factors and helps investors understand how their investment returns will change based on the change in the variables.

Toussie’s ability to dissect investments in the industry, and identify undervalued assets,  has led to his expansion into other parts of the industry. Notably, Toussie has consulted on several purchase and sale decisions and joint venture agreements within the space. Joint venture agreements are agreements between entities to accomplish a particular task. Joint ventures agreements create new companies whose sole purpose is to accomplish the task for which the venture agreement was established. These agreements are especially popular within the oil industry, because they allow companies to mitigate risk in excavation and drilling projects. Furthermore, joint venture agreements allow companies with potentially different specialties to pool their resources; this could lead to a highly efficient project, while still maintaining the individuality of each of the pre-existing companies.  Toussie has also advised on complete purchase and sale decisions for companies looking to expand or exit the market.

Prolific knowledge of the oil industry dynamics is crucial for making sound investments in the field. Toussie’s experience and incessant exposure to the major companies in the industry have provided him with the necessary skills and resources to create profitable investment vehicles. Toussie is always mindful of the importance of seeking hyper-green technologies and attempting to protect against and mitigate climate change whenever possible. He applauds big oils recent commitments to alternative forms of energy to supplement oil, along with safer and cleaner ways to extract and refine it.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial or other advice.

Litigation involving the oil industry has grown substantially over the last few decades. Changes in government administrations coupled with numerous state regulations have led to uncharted litigation matters at all court levels. Oil spills have contributed to the legal and business dilemmas, raising issues of health and safety alongside economic ones. Litigation and business strategies are not taken lightly by oil companies and investors. Besides for the law firms that any major oil company employ, companies will often seek outside business consulting aid to help advise.

One such individual is Isaac Toussie. Toussie has been involved on the financial and investor side of oil transactions for some significant US oil companies. His involvement in these deals and transactions consequentially led to his exposure to the legal battles that often trail the major oil companies. “One particularly challenging part of my work is helping companies and their attorneys navigate regulatory matters that arise over time while still maintaining existing business operations,” he stated. Government reforms have changed so radically between the past two presidential administrations.

Events happening in California have proved to be the next avenue for potential litigation. State and city counselors in Los Angeles are pushing for new zoning demarcations banning the usage of certain oil wells and drilling sites. The county board members recently passed a 5-0 vote approving the proposition. The measure only applies to unincorporated areas of the county, but it will affect over 1,600 well and drilling sites. A major force propelling the measure was the recent oil spill in Inglewood Oil Field back in April. The counselors pointed to health and safety measures as two of the main reasons for the measure. The counselors have faced opposition from multiple oil companies, especially from those with active wells that will be shut down.

This tension could be the battleground for thousands of hours of litigation. The first hurdle for the counselors is the timetable by which to enforce this plan. Banning the use of an active oil well can lead to constitutional issues of a government taking. Additionally, the county must provide sufficient time to the companies by which to transition. Companies like Cooper & Brain Inc. could go out of business because of the measure. Output level drops and the loss of the wells in the newly banned zone would render the company unable to maintain profitability. Cooper & Brain could try to bring legal claims to slow down the implementation of the measure for as long as possible. Further legal battles are inevitable, yet indeterminable so early in the implementation of the measure. Toussie’s business consulting advice in these matters has proved very helpful.

Toussie believes there is a way to balance and harmonize all of the vectors and that operators, environmentalists, and regulatory agencies must seek to create the optimum outcome for all parties. “Reaching for green technologies and methods of being less environmentally impactful are important for any business, but this is particularly so in the oil industry”, says Isaac Toussie.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial or other advice.

Compounding concerns regarding the use of natural gas and oil have been pushed to the forefront of global conversation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, global emissions dropped by 5.6% with nearly every economic sector outputting a fraction of goods compared to the year before. The reduction in emissions has shown that the world has the capability to stop the emission crisis. Some would argue that reducing carbon emissions from natural gases and oil now is the best way to reduce emissions. This flawed approach overlooks the fact that pivoting from coal to natural gas for the near future would significantly reduce carbon emissions, while still maintaining a long-term commitment to net-zero emissions.

A renowned advisor in the oil industry, Isaac Toussie, has been advising oil exploration and refining investors for many years. Shocked by the degree to which the world has relied on energy generated from coal, Toussie has incessantly advocated for an immediate shift to natural gas and oil for countries around the world. Coal has historically been the world’s leading energy generator; over the past 50 years, coal energy constituted roughly 25% of global energy. Over the past 50 years, energy supply has grown by 250%, and despite scientific developments, coal has maintained their relative market share. Toussie accentuated that this is particularly concerning given the fact that coal emits around 50% more carbon emissions than natural gas. Carbon emissions from coal relative to natural gas could be even higher given the operational inefficacies of coal plants generally. By switching from coal to natural gas or oil, global emissions could be cut by large percentages annually.

Toussie has recently been advising clients on a variety of passive investments in international oil companies. He has designed several acquisition and financing strategies which were adopted by his clients in 2021. He pointed to multiple opportunities worldwide that pose as promising markets. One in particular that he emphasized was China. China relies more heavily on coal than any other country in the world. China’s coal consumption is an estimated 60% of its total energy consumption annually. China’s reliance on coal renders it the world’s leading carbon emitter, accounting for 20% of total global emissions. China shows no sign of slowing their reliance on coal. They have promulgated proposals for over 73 gigawatts of new coal proposals, a staggering number given the fact that the world decreased its new coal related proposals to around 20 gigawatts (and is steadily declining). Toussie highlighted the fact that investments in the Chinese oil market could greatly reduce global emissions and help the shift away from coal. Overlooking natural gas and oil as a means to limit carbon emissions is overlooked and dismissed for clean energy alternatives. Renewables are an ideal that are not currently scalable to the size necessary to remove emissions entirely. In the interim, the shift to natural gas and oil could decrease emission by well over the 5.6% decrease in 2020.

Net zero emissions is a goal to aspire to, but overlooking the benefits of natural gas and its applicability harms our environment. Individuals like Isaac Toussie are pushing for increased investments in oil and gas companies, especially in foreign countries like China that place a heavy emphasis on coal. The shift to oil and gas could alleviate the carbon output until renewable, clean energy is scalable on a global level.

Toussie received his MBA from the NYU Stern School of Finance and his specialties in finance, real investment, acquisition and regulatory navigation.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial or other advice.

New York City has various thriving Jewish communities. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Isaac Toussie has always contributed to organizations that strengthened the Jewish community that he remains a part of. Toussie values his Judaism and all that it has provided him. Specially, Toussie always related to the Jewish laws pertaining to business that the Talmud, a Jewish legal text, discussed and analyzed. “Judaism has strict and rigorous ethical codes that not only govern interpersonal affairs but business affairs as well I strive to adhere to such ethical norms on a day-to-day basis,” he stated.

Toussie supports various Jewish causes. Toussie has donated to the local Chabad House in Canarsie. Chabad is an organization that seeks to empower Jews worldwide by giving them the tools to learn about their heritage and traditions. The organization utilizes technology to accomplish their goal and thousands use the resources available on their website. There are hundreds of Chabad houses worldwide, each offering programs, educational classes, and after-school programs.

Toussie’s commitment to the Jewish community expands beyond the borders of New York City. Toussie also contributed to the Jewish Braille Institute International, an organization that renders Jewish interest materials accessible to visually impaired individuals. Given that many Jews rely on books and written materials to educate themselves religiously, the organization is of vital importance. The organization also provides resources for students within a school setting to supplement their classroom experience, such as braille texts. The organization services over 35,000 Jews of all ages and across the globe, providing them with the tools necessary to integrate into their community.

Toussie’s desire to aid the Jewish community also took on an international perspective as Toussie recognized the importance of supporting the Jewish state, Israel. Toussie has made donations to multiple Israeli institutions, including the Friends of the IDF. The FIDF’s mission is “To offer educational, cultural, recreational, and social services programs and facilities that provide hope, purpose, and life-changing support for the soldiers who protect Israel and Jews worldwide.” The donations are used to ensure that soldiers are able to transition to civilian life, attain any supplemental medical care and receive necessary financial relief.

Toussie’s commitment to helping people has never been limited to his religion- in fact he has helped American Veterans of all religions, which earned him a Certificate of Recognition from the Paralyzed Veterans of America. He has also contributed to the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association to help fund the P.O. John Kelly Fund.

Toussie’s commitment to both Israel and promoting accessibility to education made Tel Aviv University another great charitable opportunity for him. One of Israel’s most innovative universities, Tel Aviv University enrolls over 30,000 students. The university is the first university in Israel to create a venture capital fund, laying the groundwork for future growth in Israel. 25% of entrepreneurs in Israel graduated from Tel Aviv University, a staggering statistic given the progressive nature of the country.

Toussie’s wide ranging charitable pursuits are a testimony to his ethical reach and constitution.

In the midst of perhaps the very worst financial landscape seen within the past 75 years, charities all over have been experiencing a catastrophic drop in donations. But because lack knows no recession, Robert Toussie has made continued support for the Mount Sinai Medical Center an important point of business. Together with his son, Isaac Toussie, the elder Toussie has used the success of his own life as one of New York’s the most important businessman and turned it into a philanthropic campaign to help those in need by contributing large sums of money to several specialty departments at Mount Sinai Hospital and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

“Diversified philanthropy” is the name of this game for Robert Toussie. Donations benefiting three medical specialties are made by Robert Toussie and Isaac Toussie also help an equally large number of people for more than a decade. The Toussies have helped fund research studies and clinical excellence in the fields of endocrinology, gastroenterology, and immunobiology for years, charitable giving which has helped save the lives and improve the quality of life of countless patients.

Bob Toussie’s support for the formation of the Jerome D. Waye Endoscopy Educational Center, which is part of the Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, has helped Mount Sinai Hospital reach new patients through its improved videoconferencing capabilities. This increased reach for the Educational Center’s gastroenterologists, made possible through Toussie’s continued donations, has helped Mount Sinai have a global impact in the fight against gastroenterological disorders like liver disease, colon fissures, and peptic ulcers. Robert and Isaac Toussie’s continued support for the Mount Sinai Medical Center’s endocrinology and immunobiology departments has helped with the research and treatment of disorders and diseases like diabetes, thyroid cancer, ostepoerosis, AIDS, HIV, and arthritis, among others.

The Mount Sinai Medical Center, one of several hospitals that the Toussie family supports, is comprised of Mount Sinai Hospital and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, which opened in 1968. The hospital was founded in 1852 and is one of the oldest and largest teaching hospitals in the United States. The venerable hospital also counts Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine, among its famous former and current staff members. Last year, U.S. News and World Report ranked Mount Sinai as one of the best hospitals in the country in 11 specialties.

By helping, Isaac Toussie carries on the Toussie family tradition of committing to charity. Over the past ten years, this continuing concern for the community has transformed from a Robert Toussie solo endeavor to a Toussie family enterprise. Robert’s son, Isaac Toussie, fervently believes in his family’s dedication to bettering less fortunate lives, working with several non-profit organizations to help the sick, blind and poor of this country. It is beyond dispute that people numbering in the thousands have benefited from the Toussies’ medical contributions. Lives have been saved, suffering has been diminished, and illnesses have been treated and, in some cases, even cured!

About the Toussies: Robert Toussie is a corporate investor, asset buyer, entrepreneur and real estate owner who has also become quite the celebrated philanthropist, local and global. Son Isaac Toussie a national philanthropist who routinely helps the blind, the sick, the needy and widows and orphans, is also a writer, real estate investor and consultant, land developer, and business advisor.