Fossil Fuels in Focus as Hurricane Season Begins
U.S. hurricane season kicked off over the weekend, as the time period between June 1st and November 30th of each year brings special attention to these storms. Aside from the devastation they can bring to the areas they hit, these storms can also have a big impact on the commodity world (albeit short-term). Few commodities feel the brunt of the blow more than fossil fuels [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Dividend Special: 3 High Yielding Commodity Stocks Flying Under the Radar
Dividend investing has continued to be a major theme in 2014, as investors look for steady income for their portfolios. Though commodity producers are not always known for their yields, there are several companies that are dishing out juicy dividends, with some yielding more than 20% [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
March Backwardation Report: Energy Futures Downward Sloping
Backwardation is the process by which futures contracts decrease in price as they move further out in maturity. This can often be due to the expectation of future prices or trends in a certain hard asset, but it can also occur from supply boosts, among other things. Though it is not a phenomenon that should worry investors, keeping an eye on the futures curve can help you make more informed investment decisions [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Checking in on the Best Commodities of 2012
While the bulls reigned supreme on Wall Street in 2013, bearish pressures kept a lid on commodity prices throughout the entire year as investor rotated out of safe havens and jumped into cyclical equities. Despite the improving economic outlook on the home front, as evidenced by the Federal Reserve’s efforts to start reducing stimulus, demand for natural resources remains lackluster. Worries over China’s slowdown and unfavorable supply conditions remain the key headwinds that will most likely continue to put downward pressures on commodity prices heading into the new year [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
The Top 5 Commodities of 2013
As 2013 draws to an end, we take a moment to reflect on the happenings in the commodity world from this past year. All-in-all, it was a tough year for a number of hard assets, as the S&P GSCI Commodity Index struggled to find any momentum, losing approximately 2% for the year. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has jumped more than 26%, as equities have dominated throughout the year. While the story has been grim for some, there are a handful of commodities that have been able to turn in a solid performance in 2013 [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Commodity Earnings This Week: Big Oil Under the Microscope
As earnings season gets into full swing, Wall Street’s attention will be fixated on the results of the most recent quarter. This week sees big oil step up to the plate, with some of the biggest names in the industry reporting on how they fared over the past three months. Below, we preview some of the most significant commodity earnings from the week ahead, helping investors prepare for what will ultimately be an active five day stretch for markets:
Africa: The New Frontier For Europe’s Refiners
In recent years, investors have witnessed the U.S. become a dominant force in the crude oil space, thanks in part to a development in technologies like fracking as well as more pipelines distributing the energy resource around the nation. Currently, the U.S. produces roughly 11.1 million barrels per day, and in 2012 the country exported more than 1.17 billion barrels around the globe. As global demand for the U.S.’s sweet crude oil increases, other producers have started to feel the pressure of the competition and increasing stockpiles of crude. As such, regions like Europe have started to look elsewhere to sell their mounting surplus of oil and gasoline [for more energy news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
The Hidden Cause of Rising Gas Prices
By now, you have probably noticed that prices at the pump have been anything but kind. Gasoline prices have been steadily rising in the U.S. as the summer months continue to heat up. While it is true that gasoline prices are typically higher during the warmer months as demand also rises, the current spike is also due to some behind the scenes issues that many consumers may not be aware of [for more gasoline news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
BP Energy Report: U.S. Production On The Rise, Global Demand Slows
While the global economic slowdown has impacted nearly every corner of the investable universe, one commodity group that has been hit particularly hard has been energy. Oil, gas, coal, and even nuclear power have all fallen victim to sluggish economic growth and dwindling global demand. And in its annual energy report, BP takes a closer look at how exactly the global recession has impacted the supply and demand of some of the most widely-traded commodities on the market [for more energy news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
