What causes secular bull and bear markets in commodities. What factors suggest a new commodities bull market has started and how can investors participate. What the risks are. Topics covered include: What is a bull and bear marketHow long have earlier commodity bull and bear markets lasted and what were the returnsWhat led to the current commodity bear market that began in 2011How shareholder revolts and ESG mandates have contributed to reduced investment in the commodities space, … [Read more...]
376 Plus: Russia, Ukraine, Oil and the Energy Sector
In Plus Episode 376, we further consider the ramifications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We also review the pros and cons of investing in oil and oil exploration stocks. … [Read more...]
296: Why Negative Prices Exist and What Can They Teach Us
Why the oil price fell below zero and what are other examples of negative prices. What lessons can we learn from negative prices. Topics covered include: How oil futures work and why the oil future prices fell below zero for the first time ever.Why has the United States Oil ETF (USO) lost so much money.How ETF authorized participants create new shares only so they can be shorted.How storage problems for oil and electricity can lead to negative prices.How negative interest rates are … [Read more...]
294 Plus: Mid Month Update, Is Cash Safe and Investing in Oil
In Plus episode 294 for the week of April 18, 2020, we review financial market performance and investment conditions as of mid-April. We also review what investment conditions were at the market bottom in March 2009 during the Great Financial Crisis. We discuss the rationale behind adding investment-grade corporate bonds at this time. We consider the safety of bank savings account and money market mutual funds. Finally, look at ways to speculate in oil and whether it is worth it. … [Read more...]
232: Is It Time To Invest In Commodities?
Why investing in commodities such as oil, gold and cocoa beans is challenging. What you need to know before you invest. Photo by J.D. Stein In this episode you’ll learn: Why have oil prices have fallen and what will impact their long-term price trend.How commodity futures work.How cocoa beans were used as currency by the Maya. To learn more about what you need to know to invest in commodity ETFs, check out this guide. Show Notes Doubleline's Gundlach says commodities are … [Read more...]
230 Plus: November 2018 Mid Month Update
This week November 17, 2018, we review investment conditions that show not much has improved since the November investment conditions report. Some recent economic reports showing further deterioration in economic trends. … [Read more...]
MNY096 Plus: Small Cap Stocks, Energy Stocks and Younger Investors
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus I discuss why the Hub does not include a breakdown between small cap and large cap stocks on the asset allocation models. I also comment on a member's question about his plan to start investing in energy stocks, and why I don't see evidence oil has bottomed. Finally, I address how younger investors who are still early in the wealth building process should invest compared to those who are older and have more wealth. The episode length is 18 … [Read more...]
MNY069 Plus: Oil – It’s Different This Time
This week's Money For the Rest of Us Plus episode discusses how oil futures are behaving in a highly unusual fashion and why as a result I eliminated my exposure to oil. I also explore how having capital at risk accelerates one's ability to learn about investments. The episode length is 15 minutes. … [Read more...]
Portfolio Trade: Eliminating Oil Futures Position
This morning I eliminated my oil futures position that I initially established in May. … [Read more...]
Portfolio Trade: Increasing Oil Futures Exposure
Today I entered into a trade and bought (went long) the December 2015 Crude Oil e-mini futures contracts at $53.65. This adds to the oil futures position I established in May. … [Read more...]