Q: Pat. I’m thinking of increasing my oil and gas exposure considering some stocks have dropped a bit lately. Do you recommend either the XLE or VDE ETF (each with a basket of U.S. energy companies)? Thank you.

A: We still feel that investors will profit the most with a well-balanced portfolio of high-quality individual stocks, but ETFs can also play a role in a portfolio. Here’s a look at the ETFs you’ve asked about:

Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF, $78.97, symbol XLE on… Read More

This cyclical pick pays you steady income

Despite the possibility of an economic slowdown in 2023, we recommend all investors maintain some exposure to the oil industry. You can further cut your risk—and earn steady income—with top-quality producers like Chevron.
CHEVRON CORP. $166 is a buy. The company (New York symbol CVX; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer… Read More

You still need Resources in your portfolio

Prices for commodities such as crude oil, iron ore and copper have weakened lately as investor fear rising interest rates will trigger an economic slowdown. Even so, we continue to recommend all investors maintain exposure to resources as the sector’s high-quality producers will still gain… Read More

Buy commodities for portfolio balance

Most commodity production is capital intensive with long development times. Producers face considerable costs to establish or replace mines, oilfields, and so on, or to build processing, storage and transportation facilities. This means that the selling prices of their products can vary significantly from the… Read More

Chevron rewards its investors

CHEVRON CORP. $175 is a buy. The company (New York symbol CVX; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $332.5 billion; Dividend yield: 3.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.chevron.com) is the second-largest integrated oil producer in the U.S. by revenue, after ExxonMobil (New… Read More