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.
By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 -
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...
By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 -
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...
By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 -
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...
By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 -
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...
By Peter Krauth, Resource Specialist, Money Morning -
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.
By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI -
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...
By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI -
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.
By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI -
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.
By Tara Clarke, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @TaraKateClarke -
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...
By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI -
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...
By Dr. Kent Moors, Global Energy Strategist, Oil & Energy Investor • @KentMoors_OEI -
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.
By Peter Krauth, Resource Specialist, Money Morning -
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.
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning -
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.
By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt -
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.
By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 -
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...
By Michael E. Lewitt, Global Credit Strategist, Money Morning • @MichaelELewitt -
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.