Q4 2013 Earnings Scorecard: Commodity Stock Hits and Misses
2013′s fourth quarter earnings season saw companies across all sectors reporting both hits and misses. Alcoa set the tone for the commodity space, reporting a fourth quarter net loss of $2.3 billion and missed analysts’ EPS estimates. While other commodity stocks also managed to post better-than-expected results, some showed signs of weakness from 2013′s commodity slump. Overall, most companies managed to post better-than-expected earnings during the fourth quarter as compared to the third [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
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].
5 Commodity Stocks to Be Thankful for This Year
So far in 2013, commodity markets have had a troublesome year, with many analysts speculating that the epic commodity boom seen in recent years is finally over. On the equity side, however, major commodity producers have benefited from this year’s bull run, logging in double- and triple-digit gains. Oil and gas producers in particular continue to come out on top, while precious and industrial metal miners struggle to stay out of the red. But on this Thanksgiving Day, it is perhaps most appropriate for us to reflect on those commodity producers we’re particularly grateful for [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
A Closer Look At EIA’s Latest Short-Term Energy Outlook
Though many day traders base their decisions on technical trends, savvy commodity traders also incorporate factual fundamental reports into their research to ensure that they are on the right side of the trade at all times. For energy traders, the data and outlook provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) are some of the most important reports to follow [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:
The Arctic Ocean: Fracking’s Future Home
Energy extraction techniques have become exponentially more efficient and effective since our first attempts to harness the elements in our favor. Unfortunately, our advances in pulling energy from the earth are still being outpaced by consumption demands. With a rising number of emerging markets seeing economies expand rapidly, energy consumption is at an all time high with no signs of slowing. On the search for the next great energy source to meet this demand, scientists in the Arctic Circle think they have found a strong candidate [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
