energy

In a time when the world is facing unprecedented changes in the energy landscape, geopolitical forces are crucial for understanding the current and future energy markets.

Among the top five actively managed mutual funds in the energy sector that are tracked by Morningstar, the BGF World Energy and NN (L) Energy funds stand out as top performers when considering the year-to-date performance of this type of funds.

Style risk is one of the key risks that sustainable investors need to be aware of. After all, many equity funds with a sustainable mandate tend to lean towards a growth style. Any choice of style brings the likelihood of it falling out of favour with investors over a period of time. So too this year’s growth style.

No this column is not about sustainability, climate targets or Co2 emissions. But about the fable that energy companies are a reason why broad market profits need not fall.

Energy profits

Earnings-per-share of US energy companies included in the S&P 500 Index are up more than 250% from a year ago. But this does not disguise a fall in profits of the rest of the companies.

European gas and electricity prices break records almost daily. The effect of energy on an economy is often underestimated. Almost all economic activity consists of energy, but in a different form. 

Expectations are growing that oil prices will rise further. The most recent rise was prompted by suggestions that the West would boycott Russian oil and gas, a boycott that materialised with US and UK decisions on Wednesday. 

Oil stocks have never been so cheap, but there are no signs yet that prices have bottomed out. We’re still waiting for a turn in market sentiment, say head of Automated Intelligence Equity Tjeerd van Cappelle at NN Investment Partners and NN Energy fund manager Anastasia Naymushina (photo).