Each quarter, we carefully analyze the results and subsequent conference calls from the four major oil-field services firms, with a particular emphasis on Schlumberger’s earnings and commentary.By virtue of the size and scope of its operations, Schlumberger offers a valuable bird’s eye view of both bigger-picture trends and the latest developments in key end markets when it reports its rsults. Better still, the firm’s senior management isn’t shy about commenting on emerging opportunities and providing analysts with plenty of color during conference calls. Read More

Although nuclear power may have lost some of its luster in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, economics and demographics suggest that the nuclear renaissance will continue over the long term. Read More

Many moving parts influence oil prices, including the outlook for US inflation, expectations for China’s economic growth and conditions in European credit markets. Accordingly, forecasting oil prices is an exercise in probability, not an exact science. In the first issue of 2012, we called for oil to retest its 2011 high and average between $100 and $110 per barrel on the year. Our full-year outlook hasn’t changed. Read More

Global equity markets may have rebounded from their lows in late May and early June, but the risk-off trade has yet to run its course. Take advantage of economic uncertainty and worries about the EU sovereign-debt crisis to lock in elevated yields on our favorite dividend-paying securities. High-quality stocks that offer exposure to key long-term growth trends are also worth a nibble. In both cases, investors should ease into these positions to take advantage of any further downside. Read More

An unseasonably warm winter and ultra-depressed natural gas prices have bloated coal inventories at US electric utilities and prompted an unprecedented amount of fuel switching. Meanwhile, concerns about economic growth in China, India and other key emerging markets have weighed on names with exposure to international coal markets. But rumors of King Coal's demise are greatly exaggerated. In this issue, we examine our outlook for domestic and international coal markets and highlight our top picks for value investors. Read More

Investors looking to play the market's latest summer swoon should follow our script from the past two years: Focus on locking in elevated yields on our favorite dividend-paying names and buying high-quality growth stories at a discount. Read More

Each earnings season, The Energy Strategist takes a detailed look at oil-field services giant Schlumberger’s (NYSE: SLB) quarterly results and subsequent conference call with analysts. One of the best-managed firms in the business, Schlumberger’s international reach and diverse operations--not to mention CEO Paal Kibsgaard’s candor about emerging trends in the energy patch--make the company’s quarterly conference calls must-attend events. In this issue, we analyze the key takeaways from Schlumberger's earnings call and their implications for our investment strategy. Read More

The stocks in The Energy Strategist's Best Buys List doubled the return of the S&P 500 Energy Index in the first three months of 2012. Here's a look back at the quarter that was and our updated outlook for the stock market, economy and commodity prices. We also update our investment strategy for the coming quarters. Read More

After the stock market's recent rally, finding undervalued names can be a challenge. Investors should consider taking some profits off the table in Portfolio holdings that trade above our buy targets and allocating the proceeds to shares of this undervalued Super Oil. Read More

When most investors think of energy stocks, mega-caps such as Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX) and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) usually come to mind. These giants should form the cornerstone of an investor’s portfolio. But some investment opportunities fly under the radar. Read More