Thursday, September 12, 2013

Peak Hurricane?

Atlantic hurricane frequency - source: NOAA
So far this year we have been blessed by a lack of hurricanes on the East Coast.  As the accompanying graphic shows, we are past peak hurricane season this year without any major storms.  Of course statistics only work with a large sample size. Hurricane Sandy from last year is an unfortunate contrary example.  She struck in the last few days of October and as you can see from the accompanying graph this is supposed to be rather uncommon.   This doesn't matter to someone whose home that was demolished by Sandy.


As of right now the coast does look rather clear except for one storm named Humberto near Africa.  The current forecast is for it to rise to hurricane force winds and then fall back to a tropical storm.  One can keep an eye on any storms forming at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/  During hurricane season I open this window every day to see if anything is forming on the horizon.



Beyond the horrible damage, death and destruction a hurricane inflicts upon society they also play havoc with a portfolio.  Reinsurance firms, oil service companies, oil and natural gas exploration firms, and even utility companies are but a few of the sectors which can be adversely affected by one slamming into America.    Keep an eye out for upcoming storms and also consider stress testing your portfolio. If a major hurricane hit the East Coast how would it affect your portfolio?  Do all your energy stocks have Gulf of Mexico fields? What's the risk with your insurance firms, reinsurance firms?  

Disclosure: Own stock in pipeline companies, reinsurance, oil service, and major oil & nat gas companies

Edit: Reuters also notices the lack of meteorological violence this year 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The rising oil choke collar


Oil prices are on the upper end of the post 2008 financial crisis range. So far each time prices rose to the 110+ region they have backed down again.


Gasoline and Oil prices - source: Federal Reserve


While Syria has been getting all the news, Libya's declining oil production may be another reason for firm oil prices. A recent WSJ article (September 10, 2013) highlights the situation.   Considering the vast majority of Libya's GDP is derived from the energy sector (CIA Factbook) this does not bode well for the new post Gaddafi Libya.

I suggest keeping an eye on the price of oil. If it gets much higher it may temper the recent positive economic news.

Additional reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Libya
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyan_civil_war

Disclosure: Own oil service, energy, and pipeline stocks