Understanding the broad roadmap for energy prices is important, but making real money investing in the group requires delving into the specifics of each commodity market, identifying the best-placed sub-sectors going forward. Here’s a detailed rundown of my oil and natural gas price forecasts and the prospects for four key energy sub-sectors and how to play each group. Read More

As always, one of the most enjoyable and useful aspects of the show from my perspective has been the question and answer (Q&A) sessions that follow each of my presentations and panels. These questions give me a window into what investor sentiment is toward energy and various sub-sectors. Read More

In the first stages of every bull market, underlying fundamentals look negative. The market is a forward-looking mechanism, always searching for hints of change in the air and signs of improvement, not watching current conditions. The market will typically lead the fundamentals by several months. This is exactly what’s happening right now in the energy patch. Read More

The US economy is still shrinking, and the recession that began in December 2007 continues. Nevertheless, there’s been an important change for the better in recent weeks as the economy is no longer shrinking at as fast a pace. Read More

There are glimmers of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel; some markets appear to be stabilizing. This is broadly consistent with my view of the global economy. The US economy is still shrinking, but the rate of decline has stabilized, and the recession should end by the latter half of 2009 or early 2010. Meanwhile, growth in select emerging markets appears to have reaccelerated. Read More

The most striking thing about Dr. Chu’s comments was just how little he mentioned oil, coal, natural gas and nuclear power. The secretary highlighted the fact that Americans are heavily dependant on oil imports, and how expensive those imports are. He also showed an interesting chart that highlighted the correlation between US recessions and spikes in the price of oil. Read More

Weak oil and natural gas prices have resulted in a global downtick in drilling activity. But with signs pointing to a rebound in commodity prices in coming months, the tide will begin to turn. Even better, some stocks are focused on market niches that continue to show resilience amid a broader pullback in activity. Read More

Despite the steady drumbeat of bad news on the economy and oil and natural gas demand, I’m turning more bullish on energy commodities and related stocks. In fact, I’m more bullish on the sector now than I’ve been since last summer. Read More