Oil and Natural Gas: Ratio Explodes in 2009
http://seekingalpha.com/article/158323-oil-and-natural-gas-ratio-explodes-in-2009
Theoretically, based on an energy equivalent basis, crude oil and natural gas prices should have a 6 to 1 ratio. However, due to various market characteristics, the price of oil has been following a pattern of 8-12X that of natural gas since 2006. Now, with oil spiking to its highest level this year and natural gas plummeting to a 7-Year low to below $3/mmbtu, the current ratio of WTI/Henry Hub price is close to 25 to 1, a historical high
Ratio Tightening to Come from Oil
The total divergence between oil and natural gas prices, which is reflected by the unprecedented 25 to 1 ratio is unsustainable based on the factors discussed here. We should expect the ratio to narrow with most of the tightening likely coming from the retracement of oil prices to the downside. While it is difficult to expect a 10 to 1 ratio, some tightening towards 15 to 1 level could be in the cards by next year, depending on the pace of the global economic recovery.
Investment Strategy
For long-term investors, now is a good time to add some natural gas related holdings. However, since most of the commodities ETFs, in addition to market risks, will likely face the regulatory overhaul as discussed in âNatural Gas ETF Suspends New Shares: Are There Alternatives?â, a better strategy would be to invest in the natural gas E&P equities as well as ETFs.
Here are some ideas: Natural gas and LNG producers with international operations such as Apache Corp. (APA), Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC), ExxonMobil (XOM) and Chevron Corp (CVX) are all solid companies worthy of a seat in any portfolio. And iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Exp. (IEO), and iShares S&P Global Energy Sector Index Fund (IXC) are two good examples for your ETF considerations.