2 Commodity Stocks to Sell on the Next Pop: KMI, LNCO
Much to the bears’ frustration, the stock market bulls came out on top in 2013 as clouds of uncertainty blanketed the world of commodities. Persistent fears over slowing growth in China continue to put a damper on demand for natural resources; however, the industrial metals finally appear to be reversing course after a string of encouraging regional manufacturing reports [for more commodity futures news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter]. Amid the ongoing bull market at home, many remain hesitant to jump in long given the magnitude of the current run-up ahead of the potential budget drama that could arise and spark a correction well ahead of the February 7th debt-ceiling deadline. As such, below we highlight two commodity stocks that may offer an attractive short selling opportunity for those looking to bet against some of the stellar run-ups already seen across Wall Street.
Berkshire’s Latest Acquisition: Another Big Oil Bet
Commonly referred to as the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett is one of the world’s most famous investors, heralded for his simple yet effective valuation methods. So when the legendary investor makes a big bet, most are willing to follow in hopes of cashing in on Buffett’s guru-like instincts. Buffett’s latest bet involves a $1.4 billion arbitrage on Phillips 66 (PSX) [for more commodity futures news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Checking in on the Worst Commodities of 2012
2013 was undoubtedly a rough year for commodities, particularly for precious metals like gold and silver. There were, however, some bright spots in the space, including cocoa, soybean meal, orange juice, gasoline, and brent. For the coming year, analysts remain rather pessimistic on the broad commodity market. Goldman Sachs analysts have noted: “Last year, we pointed to the ongoing shift in our commodity views, ultimately towards downside price risk. The impact of supply responses to the period of extraordinary price pressure continues to flow through the system.” [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].
Cold Weather Fuels Natural Gas
For energy traders, the winter months are some of the most active of the year as demand for commodities like natural gas often skyrockets. With weatherman forecasting this December to be the coldest since 1983, investors could be in for some lucrative plays in the natural gas market. Cold weather has already begun to sweep across the nation, with the Midwest and Northeast–two regions that rely heavily on gas for heating–already experiencing plummeting temperatures since before Thanksgiving [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].
