The stock market got off to a mixed start to the new month. After the Memorial Day holiday, investors initially seemed ready to continue the bull market, but gains quickly evaporated. By the close of trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES:^DJI) managed to hold on to a slight advance, but the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) eased lower.
|
Index |
Percentage Change (Decline) |
Point Change |
|---|---|---|
|
Dow |
+0.13% |
+46 |
|
S&P 500 |
(0.05%) |
(2) |
|
Nasdaq Composite |
(0.09%) |
(12) |
Data source: Yahoo! Finance.
Even as much of the stock market struggled for direction, there was one sector of the economy that performed extremely well on Tuesday. Energy stocks moved sharply higher, and it appears that the economic recovery is having the biggest impact on traditional oil and gas companies that are aiming to meet the suddenly voracious demand for energy products.
Driving the sector
As often happens, oil stocks took their cue from the commodities markets. Prices of crude oil surged higher by 2.5%, approaching $68 per barrel. That's the highest level in a couple of years, and natural gas pushed above the $3 level as well, adding to bullishness.
Refined products saw even stronger performance. Gasoline prices at $2.18 per gallon hit their highest levels in seven years, as people tired of being stuck at home took to the roads for the Memorial Day weekend. Market specialists see heavy demand continuing all summer long, which could prompt even further price gains.
Image source: Getty Images.
Pushing energy stocks higher
It's therefore not surprising to see stocks throughout the energy arena do well. Exploration and production companies were notably higher, with Contango Oil & Gas, Devon Energy, and Marathon Oil leading the way with gains of 14% to 15%. Drilling companies also saw solid gains, with Nabors Industries jumping 16% and Transocean settling for a 7% rise.
Oil-field equipment makers also did well. Schlumberger posted a 5% rise, while NOV and Tidewater climbed more than 5% as well. Refinery companies had more-muted gains, but HollyFrontier managed to climb almost 5%, while Valero Energy pushed upward by 2%.
Can oil keep rising?
One thing that energy investors are watching closely is the emerging area of shareholder activism. Major oil companies saw historic shareholder votes last week, with ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) losing control of several board seats to an activist energy hedge fund seeking change following massive losses in 2020. Chevron (NYSE:CVX) saw more than 60% of shareholders vote to cut certain emissions.
Many energy experts believe the result of these moves could be lower production from U.S. companies, giving more power over the oil and gas markets to OPEC nations. OPEC has done a reasonably good job holding the line on production targets in the face of greater supply from the U.S., and continued discipline could support further gains for crude.
As many trends move toward renewable energy sources worldwide, investors will want to watch how the world handles the inevitable transition period between now and full electrification. If environmental regulation outpaces technological innovation, then commodity shortages could cause dramatic price swings that'll keep things interesting for energy investors.
This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. We’re motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.
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