Resource and commodity stocks in general should make up only a limited portion of your portfolio—say less than 20% for a conservative investor or as much as 30% for an aggressive investor. And as part of that segment, energy stocks could make up, say half of that total. The rest could be fertilizer stocks, mining stocks and so on.
Oil and gas stocks have been below-average performers lately, and many investors are tempted to get out of the industry altogether. However, the energy sector can play a crucial role in your portfolio as a hedge against inflation. The low inflation rates of the past couple of decades deserve some of the blame for the poor performance of the sector. However, energy stocks will likely rebound in years to come as the global economy recovers.
- Invest mainly in well-established companies;
- Spread your money out across most if not all of the five main economic sectors (Manufacturing & Industry; Resources & Commodities; Consumer; Finance; Utilities);
- Downplay or avoid stocks in the broker/media limelight.
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In the three months ended December 31, 2016, Birchcliff’s cash flow per share rose 22.7%, to $0.27 from $0.22 a year earlier....
The company plans to double its exploration and development activity this year with the addition of a second drilling rig....
In the three months ended September 30, 2016, the company’s average output was 55,137 barrels of oil equivalent per day (61% oil and 39% gas)....
In 2013, the CRA challenged the company’s use of hedging losses to reduce taxes on its 29.9% share of the Buzzard offshore oil field in the North Sea....