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Eq: Energy (121)
CEOs of top U.S. energy companies are speaking less about climate and carbon emissions, according to a Bloomberg analysis of quarterly conference calls held by 172 American oil and gas companies. The data showed how terms such as “climate change”, “energy transition” and “net zero” have been coming up with less frequency in recent conversations with analysts and investors. For instance, in fossil fuel suppliers’ conference calls this quarter, the use of language that alludes to environmental, social, and governance topics was down by more than 40% from peak levels in 2021. In fact, mentions of the terms “climate change,” “energy transition,” “emissions,” and “renewables” have all decreased. The analysis was based on an automated search of terms related to ESG issues in transcripts of quarterly earnings calls from publicly traded energy companies that hold calls in English. Prior to this year, energy companies were under pressure to slash greenhouse gas emissions, which led to a spike in discussions about ESG. But with fossil-fuel profits now soaring, ESG mentions have fallen, signaling that the industry’s focus on ESG might be fading.
Finsum:With fossil-fuel profits soaring, U.S. energy CEOs are speaking less and less about ESG.
Not only did the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) take effect about two years ago, since then, its had tongues wagging, according to questce.com. The topic continued to flash plenty of energy at FINRA’s recent 2022 Annual Conference.
So, what insights have been gained since Reg Bi was implanted and, to this point, what’s clicked for firms? Have any conflicts been isolated?
A few pieces:
1.) FINRA will be Conducting Deeper Reg BI Exams
FINRA wasted no time acknowledging that, down the road, it will undertake deeper reviews of Reg Bi and Form CRS.
2.) Audits Unveiled Some Good (and Bad) Behaviors
3.) Product Decision Trees Should be Documented
4.) Training/Policies Needs to go Beyond Rule Definitions
Meantime, senators recently were informed by Gary Gensler, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, that additional resources are required by the agency, according to thinkadvisor.com. The exam division’s “work is essential to ensuring strong compliance across the board,” including “work to test for compliance with Regulation Best Interest,” he continued.
The enforcement division’s “doing more with less,” Gensler said in testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, the site continued.
The tip line was burning in fiscal 2021, with the agency handling 46,000 tips, complaints and public referrals, the chair added. Five years earlier, that number stood at about 16,000.
Sustainable spend report a new wrinkle for ESGs
Written by FINSUM
A little nip and tuck?
Well, let’s just say someone hit refresh on ESGs, culminating in the sustainable spend report, which provides an overview of the organization’s ESG performance, according to tealbook.com. How? Details…details, eh? Well, by dispensing detailed reports of spend with ESG certified supplies.
Emissions reduction, sustainable sourcing, energy management, and animal welfare are among ESG certifications.
Thanks to this feature, TealBook customers with Elite license, make out. That’s because – with no extra effort -- this features lifts spend data capabilities, the site continued. On top of that, customers can filter by time period, take a gander at spend based on ESG category through the report.
The site describes the sustainability spend report as “a powerful new tool that enables customers to make procurement decisions that align with their organization’s policies and business strategies.”
To help define your ESG strategy, goal setting is integral, according to getgoallab.com.
To start establishing its ESG objectives, your company can keep a few steps in mind:
*Understand the value of ESG goal setting
*Assess your ESG baseline before you set your goals
*Familiarize yourself with and set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time) goals.
*Measure ESG goals and set timelines by creating KPIs
*Share and announce your ESG goals
Just after many Wallstreet firms were predicting oil prices to skyrocket passed $130 the jets have started to cool and oil prices are falling. Oil dipped below $100 a barrel this week and the two biggest factors are demand destruction and China’s latest Covid-19 outbreak. In the U.S. the Ukraine war and high gas prices are deteriorating the demand for commodities and demand is beginning to weaken which in turn affects energy prices. Demand will drop by 1.4 million barrels a day according to Rystad Energy. Additionally, the U.S. is a strong dollar is making it hard to purchase oil-backed goods abroad. China’s lockdown in Shanghai drastically reduces global demand and could be a threat in the intermediate future. If Bejing follows suit it could be devastating.
Finsum: Oil investors should watch out for Russia, which is starting to feel the pressure on its economy.
Oil has been dominating headlines but natural gas prices skyrocketed to a t 13 year high on the back of Russia’s war on Ukraine. To add to the fodder temperature forecasts for spring are remarkably low which means homes will be utilizing more natural gas in order heat homes. Overall prices are $8.05 per million British thermal units and are up 108% through the year already. Financial markets aren’t sure this price increase is permanent and Citi has only raised their end price target to $4.60 by the end of 2022.
Finsum: Keep an eye on natural gas bonds as just like oil surging, it could mean good things for companies ability to repay.
Oil prices have begun to stagnate just a hair, but they are still high enough to spur lots of production. U.S. oil output is expected to be 12.86 million barrels a day according to East Daley Capital, which is a 23% increase from their December forecast. Most of the increased production will come from shale Fields in the Permian Basin, as elevated prices can sustain drilling and production here. Additionally, supply chains are relatively more lubricated, the Russia-Ukraine conflict looks ongoing, and a massive Covid resurgence seems like a small probability. The Dallas said profits are more than sustainable to continue drilling in the Permian Basin and other shale sites.
Finsum: This increased production could be enough to finally cap the upward moving gas prices, but that effect could take some time.
Oil prices have begun to stagnate just a hair, but they are still high enough to spur lots of production. U.S. oil output is expected to be 12.86 million barrels a day according to East Daley Capital, which is a 23% increase from their December forecast. Most of the increased production will come from shale Fields in the Permian Basin, as elevated prices can sustain drilling and production here. Additionally, supply chains are relatively more lubricated, the Russia-Ukraine conflict looks ongoing, and a massive Covid resurgence seems like a small probability. The Dallas said profits are more than sustainable to continue drilling in the Permian Basin and other shale sites.
Finsum: This increased production could be enough to finally cap the upward moving gas prices, but that effect could take some time.
Oil demand isn’t diminishing anytime soon, and while Russian Oil companies may suffer from sanctions and political pressure other oil companies are in a position to benefit. Goldman upgraded three oil companies that could capitalize. The first is Diamondback Energy from Texas; they have strong production and great revenues/earnings. Next up was Ovintiv which moved from Canada to the US two years ago but also has strong revenues and a half dozen consecutive quarterly gains in earnings. Rounding out the bunch is Hess which is a hydrocarbon extraction company which will benefit from the elevated prices in its shale search.
Finsum: These options look promising, remember fringe producers really benefit the most on the margins from elevated prices.
ESG and other socially conscious investing is all fine and dandy when energy prices are modest, however the sharp spike in energy has many reorganizing their priorities. There was already an upward trajectory pre-Russian invasion due to OPEC+ supply constraints but that has escalated with Biden’s latest sanctions. The war is putting pressure on key commodities that are slowing many green energy initiatives and renewable policy proposals. More Americans than ever are worried about the prices at the pumps and calling for expansion in drilling to expand supply. So no matter the political pressure ESG is facing an uphill climb at the moment.
Finsum: This could put more pressure on long term green energy proposals as this crisis highlights dependence on fossil fuels.
Goldman Sachs swiftly raised its one-month projection for Brent to $115 a barrel, a $20 price increase from their previous projection. Not only that they say there are still lots of upside risks if there is further disruption or escalation. The only thing that could hold higher oil prices off would be a complete deterioration of demand by the US and Western Europe. More sanctions are upcoming from the west as Russian banks will be banned from SWIFT payment systems. Commodities are also facing higher price pressures with both threats to payment methods for Russian goods and restrictions to Russian commodities to the wider West. On top of all of this shale supply will fail to compensate for the current demand and OPEC+ will have to step in if there is to be any relief in oil prices.
Finsum: This is a good time to by energy bonds as payment streams will surely be in supply with higher gas prices.
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Biden Freezes Oil Leases With Prices at All-Time Highs
Written by FINSUMOil prices have been rising about as fast as any point in recent time and with Oil prices pushing close to $100 a barrel, President Biden has frozen a whole selection of new Oil leases in order to accommodate green energy policies. This all is imposed based on newly tagged costs to the ‘social cost’ of carbon emissions, attempting to quantify the costs of climate change. However, there is lots of supply price pressure due to both OPEC+ and the Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Finsum: The U.S. needs oil supply now as much as ever, companies are reopening shale drilling sites that were not thought profitable because Oil could hit $100 a barrel.
Biden Freezes Oil and Gas Leases With Prices at All-Time Highs
Written by FINSUMOil prices have been rising about as fast as any point in recent time and with WTI prices pushing close to $100 a barrel, President Biden has frozen a whole selection of new oil leases in order to accommodate green energy policies. This all is imposed based on newly tagged costs to the ‘social cost’ of carbon emissions, attempting to quantify the costs of climate change. However, there is lots of supply price pressure due to both OPEC+ and the Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Finsum: The U.S. needs oil supply now as much as ever, companies are reopening shale drilling sites that were not thought profitable because oil couldn’t hit $100 a barrel.
Coal is the forgotten younger child in the fossil fuel categories and in the age of ESG that has been exacerbated. Demand in the U.S. and Euro area has fallen drastically. For example, it's about half what it was a year ago in the U.S., However coals price has steadily grown as it averaged $168 per metric ton in January which is higher than $119 from all of 2021. What's driving that price increase is the shift in usage from West to East. Coal power is expected to grow by 4.1%, 11%, and 12% in China, India, and SEA respectively over the next three years. In many ways, it was the only available energy in developing countries and has prompted changes in supply chains in both Russia in Indonesia.
Finsum: Just because the U.S. has forgotten about coal doesn’t mean it won’t be a critical part of energy production in the next decade.
Oil prices rose closed higher on Monday to cap off big January, in fact it was the largest monthly gain in the last year. West Texas Crude rose to $88.15 a barrel and the sixth straight weekly gain. Fueling the rising prices are the rising tensions on the border of Ukraine and Russia which seem on the brink of war. Sure, OPEC has supposedly ramped up production by 400,000 barrels a day since August, and however, they have once again underperformed in output in January. While the continued on paper output is expected to be approved in the upcoming meeting the fact is the supply is not moving the needle.
FINSUM: The factors pushing oil prices higher are here to stay, and most likely not all priced in, it could be a big bull market for traditional energy in H1 2022.