Rabindra Samanta
I have been working at Market Realist since August 2015. My primary area of expertise includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of crude oil and the natural gas market. This focus also includes tracking macroeconomic indicators. But, later into my career, I also started covering global markets, hedge fund manager commentary, and other macro developments.
I completed the PGDBM degree in 2014. Prior to Market Realist, I worked with one of India's largest brokerage house, Kotak Securities. My primary responsibilities include market analysis, portfolio advisory, and investor presentations.
After my graduate degree, I worked as an Associate at Vedanta Resources CPP (captive power plant) and IPP (Independent Power plant) project at Jharsuguda Odisha.
Disclosure: I am in full compliance with all ethics and other policies for Market Realist research analysts. I am not invested in securities that I cover on Market Realist.
More From Rabindra Samanta
What’s the Outlook for WTI Crude Oil Prices?
On Wednesday, WTI crude oil active futures have declined 0.1% and settled at $41.90 per barrel. On a YTD basis, WTI active futures have fallen 31.4%.
US Retail Sales Spiked 7.5 Percent in June, Economy Keeps Recovering
According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, US retail sales increased by 7.5% in June compared to an 18.2% rise in May.
Ray Dalio Invested in These Stocks in Q1: Should You?
The top five buys of Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater Associates in the first quarter were INDA, Home Depot, Sherwin-Williams, United Health Group, and McDonald’s.
Why Ray Dalio Does Not Think Stock Markets Are ‘Free Markets’
Ray Dalio, a billionaire investor, shared his view on the recent market movement and economic impact amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ray Dalio: US-China Trade War Could Turn into a ‘Shooting War’
According to Ray Dalio, the trade war is slowly converting into an economic war, which hurts globalization. The economic sanctions lead to more uncertainty.
Bond King Jeffrey Gundlach: Dollar Is a ‘Real Risk’ for Investors
Jeffrey Gundlach pointed out the movement of the dollar index. He thinks that the dollar rally could be another “real risk” for investors.
Jeffrey Gundlach: Tech Rally Could Be a Real Threat to Investors
Jeffrey Gundlach, an activist hedge fund manager, said in an interview with Yahoo Finance that the tech rally could be a real risk to investors.
Gold and Stocks Rise: Where Economics Went Wrong
The COVID-19 pandemic hit global markets in March, and we’ve entered a deep recession since then. Both gold and the equity market are strengthening.
Crude Oil Prices Were Strong in Q2: What’s Next?
Crude oil prices saw a best-ever quarter in the second quarter. Brent crude and WTI crude fell to multiyear lows in April 2020.
Bank of America: Gold Could Test New High, Uncertainty Rises
Recently, Bank of America said that gold might touch a new high in the second half of 2020. Gold could break some important resistance levels.
BlackRock Is Neutral on US Equities: More Risk Ahead!
BlackRock, the leading investment institute, shared its latest view on the equity market across the globe in its second-half outlook.
Rest of 2020 Might Be Volatile for the S&P 500
In the first six months of 2020, the S&P 500 Index (NYSEARCA:SPY) has fallen approximately 6.6%. What can investors expect in the rest of 2020?
Stanley Druckenmiller Is Bearish on Growth Stocks: What’s He Buying?
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) remained in Stanley Druckenmiller’s top five holdings in the first quarter.
Natural Gas: What Can Investors Expect?
The EIA reported a rise of 120 Bcf in natural gas inventories for the last week. However, analysts expected a rise of 106 Bcf in the inventories level.
Strategist Thinks S&P 500 Volatility Could Rise
Art Hogan, the chief marketing strategist at National Securities, hinted about higher S&P 500 volatility. Any burst in market volatility could impact investors.
JPMorgan Chase Predicts Crude Oil Will Reach $190 in 2025
JPMorgan Chase predicts that oil will reach $190 per barrel in 2025. Just a few months ago, Brent crude touched a multiyear low.
Why George Soros Sold Most of His Financial Stocks
George Soros’s firm sold out all of its positions in JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Ally Financials in the first quarter.
George Soros Places His New Buy in Utilities: Will You?
George Soros has made some changes to his firm’s portfolio in the first quarter. Soros Fund Management LLC bought some new securities.
Why the Fed Fears the Second Wave of Coronavirus
Fed officials are concerned about a second wave of the coronavirus. Chinese authorities have been struggling to contain the second wave of COVID-19.
Are Natural Gas Prices in a ‘Buy’ Zone Right Now?
Natural gas prices could see a large upside in the coming months. Will natural gas prices rise this summer or remain range-bound?
S&P 500 Is Green for Second Month: Is It Sustainable?
In May, the S&P 500 Index (NYSEARCA:SPY) closed in the green for the second consecutive month. In March 2020, the index fell 12.5%.
Is US Unemployment Another Shock for SPY?
The lockdown amid the COVID-19 global pandemic dragged down the global economy and largely contributed to the surge in the unemployment rate.
Are Bill Ackman’s Investment Strategies Successful?
In the first quarter of 2020, activist hedge fund manager Bill Ackman made a windfall profit of $2 billion. He was short on the market in March 2020.
Jamie Dimon on JPMorgan Chase: Stock Is ‘Very Valuable’
Jamie Dimon said that JPMorgan Chase’s stock price looks “very valuable” at the current market price. He’s optimistic about the stock’s valuation.
Are the Global Fund Flow and US-China Tension Related?
Increasing US-China tension could threaten the financial market. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the economic and healthcare crisis across the globe.
Chesapeake Energy and Carlyle Group Might Face Losses
So far in 2020, Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK) has declined 92%. The COVID-19 outbreak hit oil demand and dragged the energy sector down.
Carl Icahn’s Love for Occidental Petroleum Might Be Costly
Last week, Carl Icahn’s hedge fund filed its 13F for the first quarter of 2020. Occidental Petroleum was one of the hedge fund’s largest buys.
Every Fall in the S&P 500 Could Be a Buying Opportunity
In 2019, the S&P 500 witnessed the worst decline in the last decade. Many investors compare the current bearish sentiments to the subprime crisis in 2008.
Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies Is Bearish on TSLA
On May 14, Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies filed its 13F for the first quarter of 2020. The hedge fund reduced its holdings in Tesla.
Why Elliott Management Might Be in Trouble
Last week, Elliott Management filed its 13F for the first quarter of 2020. In the last quarter, the hedge fund’s AUM was worth around $73.15 billion.
Berkshire Hathaway Exited Phillips 66: Is It a Good Move?
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is known for its stock picks. Over the years, Berkshire Hathaway created considerable wealth for its investors.
Oil Price Update: Have Traders Turned Bullish?
Today at 10:01 AM ET, WTI (West Texas Intermediate) oil prices rose 3.8% and were at $28.65 per barrel. On Thursday, WTI prices rose by 9%.
David Tepper Warned of Higher Valuation in the S&P 500
On May 13 in an interview with CNBC, famous hedge fund manager David Tepper warned investors about a higher valuation in the stock market.
Why the Dow Jones Might Be Painful for Investors in 2020
In March, the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (NYSEARCA:DIA) fell by as much as 33.5% on a YTD basis. On May 12, the figure recovered to 17.7%.
Goldman Sachs: Oil Prices Might Ignore Saudi Arabia
For the rest of 2020, oil prices probably won’t go further into the negative territory. The demand for jet fuel won’t touch the peak from before COVID-19.
How Did Tesla Become Renaissance Technologies’ Gem?
In the fourth quarter of 2019, Tesla was Renaissance Technologies’ second-largest holding. Renaissance is one of the largest hedge funds in the US.
Analyzing the Upcoming Natural Gas Inventory Report
On Thursday, the EIA will report the natural gas inventory data. For the week ended April 24, the EIA reported a rise of 70 Bcf in natural gas inventories.
Will Chesapeake Energy Recover in 2020?
So far in 2020, Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK) has fallen 95.7%—sharper than a fall of 44.5% in the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Explore & Production ETF.
Weekly Update: Will the Upside Stay Intact in Gold Prices?
In 2020, gold prices have been shining due to turmoil in the equity market. The S&P 500 Index (NYSEARCA:SPY) has fallen by 12.4% on a YTD basis.
Is WTI Crude Oil a Good Buy for Investors?
Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, US oil exports haven’t declined. Since March, US crude oil weekly exports averaged 3.5 million barrels per day.
Should You Buy Natural Gas Futures amid COVID-19?
The volatility in Henry Hub gas prices might concern investors. You could look for natural gas-weighted stocks like EQT and Cabot Oil & Gas.
How Long Could Crude Oil Keep Falling?
On Monday, the WTI crude oil futures May contract fell as low as -$40.32 per barrel. Oil turned negative for the first time since its discovery in 1875.
Dow Jones Hits Record High after Jobs Growth Report
This morning, after the release of the jobs growth report, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed the 29,000 level, a record for the index.
Boeing 737 Crash and Effects on Oil Prices
On Wednesday, a Boeing 737 plane crashed in Iran. If the crash was due to a missile strike, how will international tensions and sanctions affect oil prices?
These Are the Top 5 Upstream Energy Dividend Stocks
Investors’ preference for top dividend stocks could increase in 2020. Among sector-specific ETFs, the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF reigns supreme.
Is Ackman’s Pershing Square Riding on Berkshire’s Gains?
Founded by Bill Ackman, Pershing Square made a 58.1% profit last year. Between 2015 and 2018, Pershing Square posted negative returns.
What Does 2020 Hold for Chesapeake?
In 2019, Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK) declined by 60.7%. How will its earnings, price targets, and the current US-Iran tensions affect its 2020 outlook?
Any Spike in Oil Prices Might Not Be Sustainable
On Wednesday, WTI crude oil prices fell approximately 4.9% and settled at $59.61 per barrel. The fall was the largest one-day decline since November 29.
Red-Hot US Job Market Is Trump’s Shield against a Recession
President Trump’s reelection chances depend on a strong US economy. A stronger job market is one of the Trump administration’s important achievements.
Are We Seeing Soleimani’s Bull Trap for Oil Prices?
Early this morning, WTI crude oil prices touched $65.65 per barrel, the highest since April 26. At 5:42 AM ET, WTI futures traded at $62.82, up just 0.2%.
Strategists’ Target Prices for the S&P 500 in 2020
The S&P 500 (SPY) started 2020 at a record high. However, the geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East has increased the US equity market’s volatility.
Could Trump Push Oil Prices to $100?
Today at 10:15 AM ET, WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil prices fell 0.8%. Profit booking could be one of the factors behind oil’s decline.
Gold or Crude Oil: Where to Hide amid US-Iran Tensions?
Active gold futures have risen to their highest level since 2013 after the renewal of US-Iran tensions. Last week, active gold futures rose by 1.1%.
These S&P 500 Stocks Have the Most ‘Sell’ Ratings
Among S&P 500 stocks, Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) has the highest percentage of “sell” ratings based on a FactSet report released on December 23. In 2019, BEN fell by 12.4%. Franklin Resources is a financial services stock. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund rose by 29.2% in the last year. BEN price target and institutional […]
Oil and Dow Jones Could Move Inversely after Soleimani Killing
On January 2, Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps general, was killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad.
Natural Gas Prices Could Lower on US-Iran Tensions
Last week, natural gas prices fell 1.3% and settled at $2.13 per MMBtu (million British thermal units). It was the second consecutive weekly decline.
Were Strategists Right about the S&P 500 in 2019?
The S&P 500 finished last year with an increase of 28.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq-100 Index (QQQ) rose 22.3% and 38%, respectively.
Oil Prices on Fire after US Strike Kills Iranian General
At 6:52 AM ET today, WTI crude oil prices have risen 4.1%. On Thursday, the Pentagon said that a US-led drone strike killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
An Investor’s Guide to Top-Performing Stocks for 2020
Overall, tech stocks turned out to be the top performers for 2019. The gain in the technology sector helped the S&P 500 gain 29% in 2019.
Key Takeaways from December’s Manufacturing PMI
Today, IHS Markit reported the US manufacturing PMI at 52.4 for December compared to 52.6 in November. The manufacturing activity expanded.
Could US and Iran Tension Impact Oil Prices?
Oil prices are sensitive to geopolitical tension. There’s renewed tension between the US and Iran due to the attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Shanghai Index and Hang Seng Index’s Performance and Outlook
In 2019, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 22.3%, while the Hang Seng Index gained 9.1%. Meanwhile, India’s Nifty 50 rose 12%.
Did Analysts Predict Oil Prices Right in 2019?
So far in 2019, WTI and Brent crude oil spot prices have averaged $56.9 per barrel and $64.3 per barrel. The prices are lower than the average expectations.
Here’s Why Natural Gas Prices Fell Last Week
Last week, Henry Hub natural gas prices fell 7.3% to $2.158 per million British thermal units, marking their largest weekly decline since November 29.
Analyzing Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Policies
Investors are concerned about some Democratic presidential candidates’ proposed policies. However, others have moderate views regarding structural reform.
Tesla Institutional Investors: Who All Sold Too Early?
In 2019, Tesla (TSLA) rose 29.3%. The S&P 500 Index gained 29.2%. The top institutional investors were bullish on the electric car manufacturer in Q3 2019.
How Energy Markets Are Impacted by Russia’s Plans
Russia’s GDP growth rate and crude oil prices move in tandem. In 2018, Russia was the world’s third-largest producer of crude oil energy.
S&P 500 Stocks: Analysts Bullish on Diamondback
Diamondback Energy (FANG) has the second-highest percentage of “buy” ratings among the constituents of the S&P 500 Index (SPY). Here’s why.
How Will the Energy Subsector Perform in 2020?
In 2019, the VanEck Vectors Oil Refiners ETF (CRAK) rose by 8.5%, the only gainer among the ETFs covering the energy subsectors.
More Trouble for Cabot Oil & Gas in 2020?
In 2019, Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) has fallen 22%. The company has a correlation of 34.6% and 7.6% with natural gas and crude oil prices, respectively.
How the S&;P 500’s Sectors Could Perform in 2020
The S&P 500 Index (SPY) has gained 28% YTD. Tech stocks constituted 22.8% of SPY, the highest among the 11 major sectors.
Key Oil Price Indicators at the End of 2019
Last week, WTI crude oil prices gained 0.6%—the third consecutive weekly gain. The rally in oil prices started towards the end of 2019.
Trade Deal Could Push Natural Gas Prices Higher
Phase one of the trade deal could be a turning point for natural gas prices. China might purchase more US energy and agricultural products.
Goldman Sachs’ Best Stock Picks for 2020
Strategists at Goldman Sachs (GS) project Netflix (NFLX), T-Mobile (TMUS), and Coca-Cola (KO) to be among the best stock picks for 2020.
The Dow Jones’ Santa Claus Rally Could Run into 2020
Technical indicators suggest more upside in the Dow Jones this year. Today at 7:25 AM ET, Dow futures gained 0.1%, indicating a slightly higher opening.
Can Natural Gas Prices Close 2019 on a High?
Last week, natural gas prices rose 1.4% and closed at $2.33 per million British thermal units. However, the oil rig count jumped by 18 to 685.
Elizabeth Warren’s $10.7 Trillion Plan Could Hit Oil Prices
Last week, Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren proposed a $10.7 trillion plan to transform the US into “100% clean energy.”
What’s On Deck for Natural Gas Prices This Week?
Last week, natural gas prices fell 1.3% and settled at $2.29 per MMBtu. Active natural gas futures ended at their second-lowest level in three weeks.
What Were the Top Holdings of Citadel Advisors in Q3?
In Q3 2019, Citadel Advisors’ portfolio of publicly traded securities was worth $212.04 billion. In Q2 2019, its portfolio was worth $155.1 billion.
Will Oil Prices Feel the Heat of the Impeachment Inquiry?
At 10:21 AM ET, WTI crude oil prices were up 1.6%. If they stay at this level, we could see the second consecutive weekly rise for oil prices.
JPMorgan Chase’s 2020 Market Outlook
On Wednesday, JPMorgan Chase’s strategists discussed the market’s 2020 outlook. These strategists expect stocks to rise next year, while gold could decline.
Where Natural Gas Prices Could Head after Inventory
This morning, natural gas prices rose 1.4%. The EIA released its natural gas inventories report, showing a decline of 73 Bcf—3 Bcf less than forecast.
On Oil Prices, OPEC Differs with IEA and EIA
Yesterday, WTI crude oil prices rose 0.8% despite bearish inventory data. The deeper OPEC+ production cut could be behind oil’s rise.
How the Dow, S&P 500 Could Navigate Today’s Trading
Today at 7:06 AM ET, Dow Jones futures were almost unchanged. On Wednesday, the Dow and S&P 500 rose just 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively.
Ackman’s Pershing Square Increased Agilent Stake in Q3
This week, Pershing Square disclosed that it had increased its stake in Agilent Technologies (A) to 2.9 million shares in the third quarter.
Goldman Sachs: Views on the US Economy and Gold
Goldman Sachs (GS) Chief Operating Officer John Waldron believes that the US GDP growth rate could improve next year compared to what we’ve seen in 2019.
Baker Hughes: A Look Into Its Institutional Holdings
Yesterday, Baker Hughes stock rose by 0.2%, with a year-to-date rise of 3.9%. We’ll focus on the company’s institutional investors in Q3 2019.
Southwestern Is Down 40% in 2019: What about 2020?
So far in 2019, Southwestern Energy (SWN) has fallen around 40%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has gained 4.2%.
Oil Price Outlook: Goldman Sachs Sees a New High
Last week, Goldman Sachs increased its target on oil prices, but only for the short term. Its long-term target on oil prices is almost unchanged.
Will China’s Crude Oil Imports Push Prices Up?
Today at 7:00 AM ET, US crude oil prices fell 1% after closing 80 cents below the psychologically important level of $60 last week.
2020’s Natural Gas Outlook: Winter Is Coming
Natural gas’s outlook might turn bearish. Last week, natural gas prices rose by 2.3%. The higher prices were due to the bullish weather forecast.
A Look into ConocoPhillips Institutional Holdings
ConocoPhillips has fallen 0.6% YTD, underperforming the S&P 500 Index’s 25.5% gain. Subdued energy commodity prices could explain its underperformance.
Oil Price Outlook: Is A Multi-Year High in the Cards?
Last week, WTI crude oil prices rose 7.3%. It was the highest weekly gain since June. The upside in oil also helped the USO gain 6%.
Employment Data: Trump’s Reelection Chances Grow
Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a rise of 266,000 in non-farm employment data for November, which lifted the equity market.
OPEC+ Meeting: Will Oil Prices Hit $100?
Today at 7:25 AM ET, US crude oil prices have fallen by 0.5%. According to CNBC, OPEC+ members might increase the current production cut by 0.5 MMbpd.
Inventory, OPEC+: Will Natural Gas Prices Fall?
Today at 11:42 AM ET, natural gas prices rose 1.9% despite a bearish inventory report. The EIA noted that last week’s natural gas inventories fell 19 Bcf.
Christmas Has Come Early for Chesapeake Energy
In the first 11 months of 2019, Chesapeake Energy (CHK) stock fell 71.7%. So far in December, though, its stock has risen 24.8%.
Crude Oil Prices: After Inventory, Watch OPEC+
Today at around 4:35 AM ET, WTI crude oil prices have fallen 0.5%. Today and tomorrow, OPEC+ members will discuss the fate of the production cut agreement.
D.E. Shaw & Co.: Where Is David Shaw Bullish?
At the end of Q3 2019, D.E. Shaw & Co.’s total portfolio of publicly traded securities was worth around $81.2 billion.
Will OPEC+’s Latest Strategy Lift Oil Prices?
Yesterday, Vitol’s Giovanni Serio expressed confidence in OPEC+’s latest strategy. It’s implemented a production cut of 1.2 MMbpd to balance the oil market.