What Nabors Industries’ Historical Valuation Suggests
On March 31, 2017, Nabors Industries (NBR) stock was 20.0% lower than it was on December 30, 2016. In 1Q17, NBR’s adjusted earnings were negative.
Miscellaneous
How Could Symantec’s Norton Benefit from LifeLock’s Buyout?
Continued sluggishness in computer market In the previous part, we discussed Symantec’s (SYMC) latest acquisition of LifeLock. PC (personal computer) shipments fell for the eighth consecutive quarter in 3Q16. Gartner said that this was “the longest duration of decline in the history of the PC industry.” Let’s discuss how this acquisition is going to enhance its […]
Office Supplies Retail: Regulation, Competition, And Consolidation
There aren’t many large brick-and-mortar players left in the market. The industry faced stiff competition from online retailers like Amazon (AMZN).
How the US Dollar Could Be Crucial to Oil Investors
US crude oil futures contracts for June delivery fell 6.2% between April 18, 2017, and April 25, 2017. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index fell 0.7%.
Will Non-OPEC Oil Supply Dominate Oil Prices in 2018?
On December 14, 2017, US crude oil (USO) (USL) January 2018 futures rose 0.8% and closed at $57.04 per barrel.
Will US Crude Oil Futures Rise above $50 per Barrel This week?
September US crude oil prices are on a rollercoaster ride in 2017 due to bullish and bearish drivers. US crude oil prices are near a two-month high.
How Has the Volatility of Gold Changed over the Years?
The performance of gold as a contrast to the S&P 500 is reflected during periods of high and low volatility. The S&P 500 has always outperformed gold since April 10, 2013, during periods of both high and low volatility.
Is Alibaba Harming US Businesses?
Alibaba’s (BABA) war on fake goods on its marketplaces has been widely criticized as being weak or lacking direction.
Could Natural Gas Reach a New 2017 Low Next Week?
Implied volatility On December 21, 2017, natural gas futures’ implied volatility was 42.4%. In the last trading session, their implied volatility was on par with the 15-day average. Supply-glut concerns pushed natural gas (UNG) (BOIL) futures to a 17-year low on March 3, 2016, with an implied volatility of 53.8%. From this multiyear low, natural gas prices […]
Crude Oil Prices Rise: Is It Time for a Collapse?
WTI crude oil prices have risen 9.4% since June 21, 2017. Brent and US crude oil prices are near a three-week high.
Analysts’ Recommendations and Price Target for CF Industries
On March 13, 2017, five of the 18 analysts covering CF Industries (CF) recommended a “strong buy” to a “buy” for the next 12 months, down from six analysts in February.
Oil Market Could Be Pricing in a Supply Deficit
The rise in the premium, along with the rise in oil prices in the trailing week, could mean that the market expects a supply deficit in the oil market.
Do Steel Capacity Cuts in China Bode Well for Iron Ore Miners?
China has been reeling under its overcapacity in the steel industry. In 2016, China planned to cut 45 million tons but wound up cutting 80 million tons.
Why Microsoft Has Sought Growth in China through Local Partnerships
According to a Wall Street Journal report, China’s cloud computing player 21Vianet Group, a Microsoft partner, will set up a joint venture with Tsinghua Unigroup.
Does VMware’s Acquisition of PlumGrid Make Sense?
VMware (VMW) parted with an undisclosed sum to add PlumGrid to its portfolio.
Near-Record US Crude Oil Inventory: Will Oil Blood Bath Continue?
June WTI crude oil futures contracts fell 0.40% and were trading at $48.68 per barrel in electronic trade at 2:35 AM EST on May 2, 2017.
Kansas City Southern: Its Intermodal Volumes in Week 23
KSU’s trailer volumes fell 9.5% in week 23, whereas container traffic contracted by 2.4% in the same week.
Alaska Air Group Completes Virgin America Merger
On April 4, 2016, Alaska Air Group (ALK) announced its acquisition of Virgin America for $57 per share in cash, which amounted to $2.6 billion.
How MLP-Focused ETNs Performed in 1Q17
MLP-focused funds underperformed the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) in the recent quarter.
What China’s High Iron Ore Imports Suggest
China imported 92 million tons of iron ore in January 2017—a growth of 12.0% YoY and 3.4% month-over-month.
Which Stocks Are Uptrending in Their Correlations to Gold?
It’s expected that precious metal mining stocks will follow precious metals. So it’s crucial to know which stocks are closely associated with precious metals.
Inside BHP Billiton’s Recent Upgrades and Downgrades
Of the 19 analysts covering BHP Billiton (BHP), four analysts issued “buy” recommendations, while 12 issued “holds,” and three issued “sells.”
The Crude Oil Futures Spread, and Why It Could Worry Oil Longs
Active crude oil futures are now trading at a discount of $1.56 to futures contracts 12 months from now—a situation known as “contango.”
Can Natural Gas Stay above $3 Next Week?
On November 30, 2017, natural gas’s implied volatility was 44.3%, about 1% above its 15-day average.
Fertilizer Affordability Fell for the Week Ending April 28
For the week ending April 28, the Fertilizer Affordability Index fell slightly to 0.58x—compared to 0.59x the previous week.
The Pharmacyclics–AbbVie Merger: The Basics of AbbVie
A major reason for the Pharmacyclics–AbbVie merger is to diversify AbbVie away from its reliance on a single product, Humira, and boost its pipeline.
Energy Calendar for Oil and Gas Traders This Week
The energy sector contributed to ~6.6% of the S&P 500 (SPY) (SPX-INDEX) on April 7, 2017. Crude oil and natural gas are major parts of the energy sector.
How the Dollar Could Impact Oil’s Recovery
US crude oil (DBO) (USL) (OIIL) futures contracts for June 2017 delivery rose 3.7% between May 10 and May 17, 2017.
Will Crude Oil Prices Start 2018 on a Positive Note?
A Reuters survey estimated that Brent and US crude oil prices could average $58.84 per barrel and $54.78 per barrel in 2018.
Did the US Dollar Impact Oil Prices Last Week?
US crude oil (DBO) (USL) (OIIL) futures contracts for June 2017 delivery fell 3.8% between April 25, 2017, and May 2, 2017.
Key Players’ Phosphate Segment Margins in 1Q17
Mosaic (MOS) continued to enjoy higher margins at 7%—compared to Agrium’s (AGU) margins at 5%. Mosaic’s margins were flat year-over-year.
Has Chipotle’s Stock Price Bottomed Out?
After posting better 1Q17 earnings on April 25, Chipotle’s stock price rose to $496.14 by May 16, 2017. Since then, it has experienced downward momentum.
Supply, Demand: Will Crude Oil Futures Rally Be Short-Lived?
August WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil futures contracts rose 1.0% and closed at $45.49 per barrel on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.
Futures Spread: Is the Natural Gas Market Turning Bullish?
On September 20, 2017, natural gas (FCG) (BOIL) October 2018 futures closed $0.10 below its October 2017 futures.
US Crude Oil Could Hold the $57 Level This Week
On December 1–8, 2017, US crude oil (USO) (USL) January futures fell 1.7%. On December 8, 2017, US crude oil January futures settled at $57.36 per barrel.
Is Natural Gas Moving with Oil Prices?
The correlation between natural gas (GASL)(GASX)(FCG) active futures with US crude oil active futures was 99.8% between December 12 and December 19.
What’s the Short Interest in Large OFS Companies on July 6?
Short interest in Schlumberger (SLB) as a percentage of its float is 1.2% as of July 6, 2017, compared to 1.2% as of March 31, 2017.
Retail REITs Lead the Way with Top Performance in IYR
Retail REITs were the top performers of the iShares US Real Estate ETF (IYR) on January 5, 2016, with a return of 2.5%. The healthcare REIT subgroup ended the day with a positive return of 2.4%.
Bullish Oil Traders Must Count the Oil Rigs
On November 24, 2017, US crude oil settled at the highest closing price in 2017. The oil rig count could be at a three-year high by May 2018.
Is It Worth Risking Long Trades in Oil?
On November 24–December 1, 2017, US crude oil (USO) (USL) January futures fell 1%. On December 1, US crude oil January futures closed at $58.36 per barrel.
What’s Holding US Crude Oil below $60?
On December 11, US crude oil January 2018 futures rose 1.1%. The 2% rise in Brent crude oil prices could have supported the gain in US crude oil prices.
Why Rio Tinto Believes Iron Ore Prices Can Sustain
According to Bloomberg, Rio Tinto CFO Chris Lynch has suggested that iron ore prices will not collapse, as many expect.
Why Salesforce Acquired Gravitytank
Salesforce is currently on the acquisition bandwagon. In mid-September 2016, it announced its acquisition of Gravitytank.
Is WTI Crude Oil Outdoing Brent?
On November 21, Brent crude oil (BNO) active futures closed $5.74 above US crude oil (USO)(UCO) active futures. In other words, the Brent-WTI (West Texas Intermediate) spread was $5.74.
Will Saudi Arabia’s Crude Oil Export Plans Rescue Oil Prices?
Saudi Arabia is the largest crude oil producer and exporter among the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) member countries.
Hedge Funds’ Net Bullish Positions on US Crude Oil
Hedge funds reduced their net bullish positions in US crude oil futures and options by 1,136 contracts to 133,606 contracts on June 20–27, 2017.
What to Watch when Oil’s at a 3-Year High
From January 5 to January 12, 2018, US crude oil February futures rose 4.7%. On January 12, US crude oil futures closed at $64.3 per barrel, their highest closing price since December 8, 2014.
US Crude Oil Production Is near August 2015 High
The EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) reported that US crude oil production rose by 13,000 bpd (barrels per day) to 9,265,000 bpd on April 14–21.
Hedge Funds’ Net Long Bullish Positions Hit a 10-Month Low
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission reported that hedge funds decreased their net long positions in US crude oil futures and options on June 13–20.
How Subdued Potash Prices Have Extended to Potash Players
The weekly average price for potash in Vancouver remained flat in the week ended June 24, 2016. Prices are below their 15-year average of $290 per metric ton.