Advertisement
Canada markets open in 5 hours 53 minutes
  • S&P/TSX

    21,885.38
    +11.66 (+0.05%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,048.42
    -23.21 (-0.46%)
     
  • DOW

    38,085.80
    -375.12 (-0.98%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7327
    +0.0004 (+0.06%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    84.06
    +0.49 (+0.59%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    87,787.34
    +183.38 (+0.21%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    1,388.92
    -7.61 (-0.55%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,356.50
    +14.00 (+0.60%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    1,981.12
    -14.31 (-0.72%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.7060
    +0.0540 (+1.16%)
     
  • NASDAQ futures

    17,755.00
    +187.50 (+1.07%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    15.55
    +0.18 (+1.17%)
     
  • FTSE

    8,128.16
    +49.30 (+0.61%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    37,934.76
    +306.28 (+0.81%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6826
    +0.0005 (+0.07%)
     

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Talos Energy, Parker Drilling Company, Ring Energy, Sibanye Gold and U.S. Gold

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – January 6, 2020 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Talos Energy Inc. TALO, Parker Drilling Company PKD, Ring Energy, Inc. REI, Sibanye Gold Limited SBGL and U.S. Gold Corp. USAU.

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Middle East Tensions Rise: 5 Big Gainers

Following the siege of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, the United states retaliated by deploying about 750 U.S. soldiers in the Middle East. Further on Jan 3, Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force confirmed that the head of Iran’s Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in an airstrike on Baghdad’s international airport, following direct orders from President Donald Trump.

ADVERTISEMENT

Iraq and Iran have been in conflict since 1980 on several issues including, land, oil and water ways. However, America had provided support to Ba'athist Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War including billion dollars' worth of economic aid, technology, military intelligence, and special operations training. Nevertheless, Iran has had no formal diplomatic relationship with the United States since 1980 and the death of Soleimani is likely to turn the proxy war into a direct one.

As this war intensifies, it will lead to a shutdown of oil production in the Middle East, disrupting the stock market heavily. However, this will drive oil prices north and increase demand for safe-haven assets like gold.

Oil Prices Spike

Iran, an oil-rich country of the Persian Gulf, holds a significant position in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It was one of the five countries involved in signing of the OPEC agreement in September 1960. Notably, any tension in the Middle East disrupts production of oil, eventually leading to the rise in crude price.

In 2019, crude prices surged to a record high in September on account of an attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco facilities, which cut the world's top exporter’s output by half for nearly a week. Earlier in 2019, blasts on tankers in the Gulf had also led to a rally in oil price. President Trump blamed Iran for this attack, and geo-political tensions got aggravated.

Brent crude futures jumped 4.4% to $69.16 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 4.3% to $63.84, post the news of America’s attack on Baghdad’s international airport.

With oil prices rising, thanks to the Middle East tension, investors can take a look at energy stocks. Some of the prominent stocks worth buying is listed below.

Talos Energy Inc. is an independent exploration and production company that produces crude from Gulf of Mexico and offshore. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 33.2% upward over the past 60 days. Talos Energy flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Parker Drilling Companyprovides contract drilling and drilling-related services and rental tools and services to the energy industry. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 56.9% upward over the past 60 days. Parker Drilling carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Ring Energy, Inc.is an exploration and production company that acquires, explores, develops, and produces oil and natural gas in Texas. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 7.3% upward over the past 60 days. Ring Energy has a Zacks Rank #2.

Gold Price to Rally

As oil prices move northward, this will lead to price hike of essential goods and commodities. And as inflation picks up, demand for safe-haven assets like gold increases. Needless to say, gold acts as a hedge against inflation. Spot gold prices jumped to $1,540.49 an ounce in Asia.

Also, gold acts as a hedge for investors during times of geo-political and economic crisis. This incident will encourage traders to buy gold, as there are speculations that the Iranian government will take retaliatory measures, which may eventually halt crude production and supply.

As gold prices are poised to grow these are the companies that can provide higher returns.

Sibanye Gold Limitedoperates as a precious metals mining company in the United States and other South American and African countries. The company also produces palladium, platinum, and rhodium. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 18.2% upward over the past 60 days. EverQuote flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.

U.S. Gold Corp.operates as a gold mining company in the United States and also explores other minerals and metals like copper, silver, and zinc. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 31.7% upward over the past 60 days. U.S. Gold carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation

Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.

A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.

See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Click to get this free report Sibanye Gold Limited (SBGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Parker Drilling Company (PKD) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ring Energy, Inc. (REI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stone Energy Corporation (TALO) : Free Stock Analysis Report US Gold Corp (USAU) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research