Geopolitical power is moving from energy consuming countries to the producers. We may see more of these supply shocks in the years ahead. |
Given OPEC's decision to keep quotas unchanged, Iranian guarantees of oil supply and U.S. statements excluding the possibility of oil sanctions, crude is poised to fall next week. |
He is more likely to focus on geopolitical and security issues. But he might also talk about the job and housing markets. |
I don't think the energy prices that have only gone up since this report are some transitory aberration, |
I look at the futures curves, and they're shifting up; we're looking at, a year from now, the price being $40 a barrel. Oil won't be at $30 any more -- that's gone. |
I think it is easily conceivable that we could see crude futures hit $70 this week. |
I totally expect to see $50 a barrel, at least in a spike to that level, at some point in the near future. We've been in an upward trend for several years, and I really don't see any indication of a reversal of that trend. $50 a barrel is a completely rational expectation. |
If energy price increases do not prove to be a transitory blip, inflationary fears are likely to increase and Fed hikes are likely to continue, |
If it remains this close to 2 percent, then I think economically speaking, we're sitting pretty. I don't think this changes what the Fed does in May. I think another rate hike is likely then. But I think it stems the talk of rates rising as high as 5.25 percent, at least for now. |
If prices remain above 60 dollars, it will be tough for OPEC to justify a production cut. |
If prices remain above US$60, it will be tough for OPEC to justify a production cut. |
If the inversion is to persist or deepen, then it may be interpreted as a real bear sign. |
If the rise in imports and utilization manifest this week continues next week, it could apply some downward pressure. Of course, any decline in petroleum prices would be predicated on the notion that the Iranian geopolitical situation remains relatively quiet. |
If there were a lot of homes in inventory, we could anticipate a bubble bursting, but there isn't, |
If this leads to the shut-off of Iranian oil, I think it would probably mean we've got bigger problems than the price of oil. But if we end up with a 1970s-style oil embargo, we could see prices go markedly higher into uncharted territory. |