Investing in a commodity like oil can involve added investment risk, with the possibility of prices slipping all over the place due to volatility caused by supply and demand along with wider geographical and political challenges.
For those who are willing to wade through the risks, there is the potential to invest in commodities like oil, that could benefit from price rises due to a lowering supply and stable demand. Typically, there are 4 main options for investing in oil, which we’re going to explore, along with important factors to consider, the potential risks and details around the world’s biggest oil companies.
Ways to invest in oil
Like all commodities, there are several different ways that you can invest in oil, but these are suited to different types of investors. For example, options and futures aren’t suitable for beginner investors, who might prefer to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
1. Invest in oil company stocks
A simple way to invest in oil is through stocks of oil companies such as ExxonMobil (XOM) or Chevron (CHV). Generally speaking, as the cost of oil changes, so will the value of these companies – although this isn’t guaranteed and depends on lots of factors.
Developing an understanding of the energy cycle, the landscape in the industry and the impact of price fluctuations will help you determine valuable oil-related assets.
Exxon Mobil
Exxon Mobil is an American oil and gas company. It’s a component of the S&P500 and is one of the world’s largest publicly traded companies and market capitalisation.
Exxon Mobil produces around 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent every day. It has 21 global oil refineries.
Chevron Corporation is an American energy corporation. It’s a successor company of Standard Oil and is now one of the largest companies in the world, making it onto the S&P500 index.
BP is a British oil and gas company. It’s one of the original “supermajors”, which aren’t to be confused with superheroes, but instead are the 7 largest oil and gas dinosaurs. BP deals with exploration, extraction, refining, distribution, marketing, power generation and trading. It operates in 70 countries and produces around 3 million barrels of oil equivalent every day.
You can pick and choose a range of stocks and cash out when you want.
A simple, accessible and versatile way to access the market.
Cons
Due to the large businesses also being involved in things such as refining, which actually would not benefit from higher oil prices, oil company stocks don’t necessarily move lock-step with the price of the commodity.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are another option worth considering. ETFs provide access to a whole load of assets, without having to put all of your money into individual firms. The process is pretty much the same as buying stocks, but instead, you’re buying an oil “ETF”, which typically tracks the performance of oil stocks.
Purchasing commodity-based oil ETFs is a direct method of owning oil. ETFs can be purchased and sold in a manner similar to stocks. They allow investors to reduce the risks they take on, while taking advantage of the performance and general popularity of a particular sector. Oil ETF investors can avoid the risk of exposure to single stocks that fluctuate based on oil prices.
There are loads of oil-based ETFs to select from, covering a whole host of different companies within the industry. Oil ETFs can be a good choice for those who are new to investing, as well as those looking to secure their portfolio.
Pros
ETFs allow for instant diversification across the whole oil industry, at a low price.
ETFs have a better track record with providing safe, more reliable growth.
Cons
By placing your money in an ETF, you relinquish some control over the split of assets.
This is the most direct way to purchase the commodity without literally purchasing barrels of oil. Futures are purchased through a commodities broker. You are buying a contract to purchase oil at a future date at a specified price.
Futures are extremely volatile and riskier than other investment options. You have to be right on the timing and price movement. For example, the price of US oil futures dropped to negative $40 in April 2020 as a result of a market saturation due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pros
Oil futures are the most actively traded future on the market and hence the most liquid.
Cons
All futures are volatile investments and oil is no exception. No one can predict with any degree of certainty how the price of oil will fluctuate.
Futures expire on a certain date. If you fail to exercise them prior to expiry they become worthless.
Primarily existing in the gas and oil industry, A Master Limited Partnership (MLP) is a tax-advantaged corporate structure. It combines the tax benefits of a partnership – profits are taxed only when investors actually receive distributions – with the liquidity of a public company.
Typically, these companies own pipelines that carry the commodity from one place to another.
Risks to MLPs could come from a slowdown in energy demand, environmental hazards, commodity price fluctuations, and tax law reform.
MLPs can easily be purchased through financial advisers or online brokers.
Cons
MLPs are subject to general market risk and low energy demand.
Stock prices don’t necessarily move lock-step with the price of oil.
What has happened to the price of oil?
If you want to invest in oil, it’s worth knowing what’s happened to its price in the past and the reasons why. This isn’t an indication of future movements, but it does give insight into what affects the price of oil.
Stock markets were volatile in 2020, and so was the oil market. Following the impact of coronavirus, a further stock market meltdown took place on Monday 9 March, triggered by a dispute between major oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia over oil production levels.
Russia had turned down an offer by oil exporting group Opec to cut supply to cope with dropping demand. In response, Saudi Arabia said it would pump more oil (and in so doing cut prices further). This exchange sparked fears of a price war.
On Monday 20 April, the price of oil temporarily entered negative territory in the US due to expiring oil futures contracts, triggering another stock market slump. This was the first time in history that the price of oil went negative.
What are the risks of investing in oil?
While long-term investments in oil companies can be highly profitable, investors should understand the risk factors before making investments in the sector. These risks include:
Price volatility: Large price fluctuations can occur daily due to unpredictable influences such as supply and demand.
Dividend cuts: If a company is unable to earn enough revenue to fund payments to investors, dividends can be cut.
Oil spill risk: Accidents such as oil spills can cause a company’s share price to drop significantly. In 2010 BP saw a decline of over 55% to its stock in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Big Oil: The biggest oil companies you can buy stocks in
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
Bottom line
Oil is a pretty volatile commodity – it’s a totally different wavelength to standard stocks and shares. The price of oil is dependent on the supply and demand of the commodity, which is to say, how much of it is available and how much people actually want. When there’s more than enough oil to go around, oil companies have to make their oil more competitively priced and the price goes down, when there’s not enough of it for all the people that want oil, the price rises.
There are unique risks involved in investing in oil that you should make sure you are aware of before you invest.
Frequently asked questions
This price is constantly changing but you can check the current price in the graph above.
Yes. As with any investment, there are financial risks involved.
Yes. However, having a limited portfolio lacking in diversity can increase your risk.
The United States Oil Fund is an exchange-traded commodity product (ETP) offered by United States Commodity Funds, a US company specialising in managing exchange-traded commodity funds (ETFs).
Zoe was a senior writer at Finder specialising in investment and banking, and during this time, she joined the Women in FinTech Powerlist 2022. She is currently a senior money writer at Be Clever With Your Cash. Zoe has a BA in English literature and a Diploma for Financial Advisers. She has several years of experience in writing about all things personal finance. Zoe has a particular love for spreadsheets, having also worked as a management accountant. In her spare time, you’ll find Zoe skating at her local ice rink.
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