oil prices 2015

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[CHART] How Many Oil Jobs Were Lost in 2015?

By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 - December 30, 2015

It's not yet clear exactly how many oil jobs were lost in 2015, but many estimate the number surpassed 200,000.

That's a huge hit considering roughly 600,000 people worked in the energy sector earlier this year.

This chart shows which companies are responsible for the massive number of job cuts...

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[CHART] How Many Oil Jobs Were Lost in 2015?

By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 - December 30, 2015

It's not yet clear exactly how many oil jobs were lost in 2015, but many estimate the number surpassed 200,000.

That's a huge hit considering roughly 600,000 people worked in the energy sector earlier this year.

This chart shows which companies are responsible for the massive number of job cuts...

The Beginner's Guide to Investing in Oil

By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 - April 30, 2015

Investing in oil can be a daunting venture for both professional and individual investors.

But prices are expected to be in the $60 to $73 range by mid-July - meaning now is the perfect time to jump into the oil trade.

Here are two different ways to begin investing in oil as it moves higher in 2015...

These Charts Show How Many Oil Jobs Have Been Lost in 2015

By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 - April 23, 2015

how many oil jobs have been lost in 2015 graph

If one number summarizes the oil price meltdown, it's 150,000.

That's about how many oil jobs have been lost in 2015 as of Aug. 2. It's a massive hit considering about 600,000 people work in the U.S. energy sector.

Here's a chart-by-chart breakdown of just how deep the numbers really go...

Exploit Oil's Current Low

By Peter Krauth, Resource Specialist, Money Morning - March 4, 2015

If you've been eyeing a new gas-guzzling SUV as your next vehicle, you may want to reconsider that Prius once more.

That's because today's low gas prices won't be around forever and oil prices aren't about to "tank" any time soon.

In fact, the oil price crash has created a state of "contango," a market anomaly that savvy investors can exploit. It's presenting a rare market opportunity to profit that only comes around once every few years.

Crude Oil Prices Will Recover – Here's How to Play the Rebound

By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI - February 18, 2015

Crude oil prices continue to be volatile, with both Brent and WTI falling about 3% Wednesday.

But near-term volatility aside, oil prices are recovering from their recent lows. Brent has gained more than 30% since late January and is now over $60 a barrel. WTI is over $52.

While oil isn't going to surge in the short term, there are definite opportunities here. Oil won't have to hit triple digits for them to pay off, either.

Here's how to the play the rebound in energy...

The Saudis Are Losing Their Leverage over Oil Prices

By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI - February 6, 2015

In an oil market version of a game of chicken, Saudi policymakers are trying to make U.S. producers blink first. And it's starting to work.

U.S. rigs are being brought offshore and drilling projects are being shelved. This will have an impact on the supply side in short order. By this summer, oil prices may be back to a range of $65 to $70 a barrel.

But in waging this doomed oil price war and pushing home its point, the Saudis have made a fatal mistake...

Crude Oil Prices and the New Saudi King

By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI - January 29, 2015

Crude oil prices continue to drop in the wake of Saudi Arabia's shift in leadership. U.S. policymakers will have a tougher time with new King Salman than they've had in some time.

The new leader and his Oil Minister are the architects behind the current Saudi policy, of which there are three main targets.

The Last Time U.S. Gas Prices Were This Low…

By Tara Clarke, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @TaraKateClarke - January 27, 2015

Gas prices across the nation are on track to sink below $2 a gallon by the end of January for the first time since March 25, 2009.

Twenty-five states and more than 50% of U.S. gas stations averaged sub-$2 a gallon gas prices on Jan. 20 according to AAA. The average U.S. gas price could fall to $1.95 - or even lower - "over the next few weeks."

And so for the first time in almost six years, many American motorists will joyfully watch local gas station prices tick under $2. They'll also save an estimated $750 on average at the pump in 2015 compared to last year, according to GasBuddy.

In fact, the last time gas prices were this low...

Why the Price of Oil Surged on Wednesday

By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI - January 16, 2015

The price of oil rose dramatically Tuesday, posting its best one-day performance since 2012. All of this occurred in a market with oversupply concerns still unresolved and a continuing host of short artists poised to pummel futures prices at any opportunity.

So, if the environment remains essentially the same, why the rise in prices?

Here's why - in addition to where oil prices are headed next...

Crude Oil Prices Today: The Other Side of the "Glut"

By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI - January 13, 2015

The pundits continue to hawk the same reasons for the fall in crude oil prices today.

These are always "spearheaded" by comments about surging global supply led by the onslaught of unconventional (tight and shale) oil production in the United States.

Invariably, what's missed by these "TV sages" are the pricing dynamics kicking in that virtually guarantee an increase in oil prices as we move into 2015.

Just take a look...

Benefit at the Pump, and in the Market, from Low Oil Prices

By Peter Krauth, Resource Specialist, Money Morning - January 12, 2015

Crashing oil prices are certainly one of the biggest stories of the past six months.

Indeed, as the price of crude continues to drop, currently hovering just under a once-unthinkable $50 per barrel price, the issue is sure to be in the news well into the foreseeable future.

But the issue goes beyond simply lower prices, and it spawns some even bigger questions:

Are supply and demand really the drivers at work? Is it political warfare above all? How will global markets react when prices rebound?

One way or another, the implications of much lower oil prices are huge, and will impact markets, industries, and sectors across the board throughout the coming year.

All of which leaves investors wondering what to do next, and how to play this changing-by-the-day industry.

There's no time like the present to take a look at the potential pitfalls, and the emerging opportunities, that this disruption brings... and to let you know about a medium-risk way to play it for near-term profits.

Current Crude Oil Prices: $50 "Limit" for Brent

By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning - January 8, 2015

Current crude oil prices in the United States were on pace for a two-day winning streak Thursday amid modest gains.

In early afternoon trading, WTI prices were up $0.04, or 0.08%, to $48.69 a barrel. Brent crude, meanwhile, was lower by $0.25, or 0.49%, to $50.91 just after noon.

Here's a closer look at today's oil prices - as well as why the current oil price story is still ugly, at least for now...

The Early Read on 2015 Markets

By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt - January 4, 2015

For the first time since 2008, stocks traded down on the last trading day of the year and the first trading day of the New Year.

Whether this will prove to be a mere statistical curiosity or a harbinger of troubles ahead remains to be seen, but there are enough headwinds facing investors to force them to don foul weather gear for the year ahead.

Markets are likely to see heavy seas in 2015 as the Fed starts raising interest rates and oil prices stay lower for longer than anybody expects...

Oil Prices in 2015 Will Rebound From Recent Lows – New Report

By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 - December 30, 2014

According to our new forecast, the worst of the oil price crash is likely over. Oil prices in 2015 will rebound from the five-year lows hit this year.

This rise will bring with it a new wave of profit opportunities...

Here are the catalysts driving this rebound - plus two stock picks...

The Damage Caused By the Oil Bear Will Spread Far and Wide

By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt - December 21, 2014

Oil prices continued to fall this week but stock markets shrugged off the disarray this continued to cause in global markets after Janet Yellen whispered soothing words in their ears after the Fed's last meeting of the year on Wednesday. Mrs. Yellen has become a "bull whisperer" - fearful of upsetting the equity market, she cloaks her words in indirection and equivocation in an effort to keep them calm as she prays for an economic lift-off that will take her institution off the hook.

Unfortunately, her patient is likely to be very disappointed, for it would take an economic miracle the likes of which hasn't been seen in this country since the years after the Second World War to deal with the mountain of existing debt and future liabilities that are going to bury us.

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