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The situation in Eastern Europe keeps getting worse. And it has everything to do with oil.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine are largely tied to its oil interests. Russia’s economy is extremely dependent on high oil prices, and its interests in Ukraine are a product of Vladimir Putin trying to tighten his grip on Russia’s European oil monopoly.
Ukraine is a major exporter of Russia’s natural gas, shipping the resource to more than a dozen other European countries. The ongoing conflict in Crimea has traders worried that the dispute could disrupt oil supplies flowing from Russia.
However, there is a potential emerging power in the natural gas trade: America. The U.S. is expected to increase natural gas production by 44% in the next 25 years, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts the country will be a net exporter of nat. gas by 2020.
Currently, however, America’s natural gas exports are limited by stringent trade regulations. And pressure is building on President Obama to “turn on the spigot,” as our Tyler Laundon wrote this week.
Tyler’s article on “How the U.S. Can Break Putin’s Energy Monopoly” is one of several compelling investment-related subjects we explored at Wyatt Investment Research this week.
Steve Mauzy wrote how gluttony is “Bad for the Waist, Worse for the Income Portfolio.” And options trader Andy Crowder reveals a Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) trade that netted his subscribers 28.9% – without even having to buy the stock.
Here’s what else was on our analysts’ minds this week at Wyatt Research:
The Top 5 Bank Stocks for Dividend Investors – U.S. banks have come a long way in the five years since the recession they largely created. And more and more of them are rewarding shareholders. Here are five that do it best.
Gluttony: Bad for the Waist, Worse for the Income Portfolio – More isn’t always better. Sometimes less is: Vigorously exercising an hour a day strengthens the body. Vigorously exercising three hours a day weakens it. Income can be viewed through a similar lens.
How the U.S. Can Break Putin’s Energy Monopoly – With natural gas production surging in the U.S., the country is in a position to increase exports, if it so chooses. Ukraine isn’t the only European country that could benefit. And it’s certainly not the only one interested in seeing the U.S. break Russia’s energy monopoly.
The Outsiders: How Unconventional CEOs Routinely Beat the Market – William Thorndike’s book The Outsiders details how eight companies earned huge returns for their shareholders by doing things the unconventional way. I think I may have just found a ninth.
The Only 3D Printing Stock to Own in 2014 – Three-dimensional printing was one of the hottest investment trends of 2013, hands down. Pure-play 3D printing stocks 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) and Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS) rose by 160% and 68%, respectively. But 2014 is an entirely different story. And there’s only one 3D printing stock you should own.
How to Make 28.9% in Microsoft by Selling Puts – Selling puts can be a reliable way to earn consistent returns. My Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) trade was the latest example.
Two Apple Charts That Will Scare You – I found two Apple iPhone charts that will scare you whether you own shares of the company or are considering an investment.
Price-to-Sales Ratio: The Perfect Stock Indicator – The price-to-sales ratio (P/S) is an underappreciated valuation metric. I like the P/S ratio because sales are more difficult to manipulate than earnings.
Why Berkshire Owns $2.5 Billion of DVA Stock – Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B) has been betting big on the healthcare sector by investing in just one stock.
Will a Google Robot Assemble Your Next iPhone? – Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) has a knack for extending its reach into new, highly disruptive and exceptionally risky technologies. Its latest buying spree has included eight robotics companies at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Thanks for making us part of your weekend. Throughout the week, please make sure to visit WyattResearch.com for the information you need to know and opinions you need to read to become a better investor.