ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF

OILK

Market cap $221M

As Europe confronts a new energy crisis, we explore key measures to strengthen energy security beyond simply lowering energy bills, and the potential implications for business leaders. Europe now relies on a wider range of suppliers, but paradoxically, the new geopolitical situation still leaves Europe vulnerable.

Crude oil stocks stand to gain from surging prices and supply chain disruptions, offering investors defensive, short-term tactical buying opportunities. The goal of defensive trading is to preserve capital and mitigate risk until more favorable market conditions return. Explore the ‘Strong Buy' recommendations in this article, which are up an average +60% YTD, trade at a discount, and offer strong fundamentals that may benefit from the crude oil trade.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have grown in prominence in recent years, in part due to their convenience and in part due to the growing belief that simply tracking a large index yields better results than relying on often expensive financial experts.

Oil ETFs are rallying as U.S.-Venezuela maritime clashes lift crude prices, adding a geopolitical risk premium.

Global oil production has reached unprecedented levels, creating a widening gap between supply and demand. Non-OPEC+ countries, particularly those in the Americas, drive most expansion.

Crude oil was down 4% Sunday night, as OPEC once again announced a production increase, a move by OPEC that will eventually help US inflation, and give the Fed another reason to lower the fed funds rate. The 10-year annual return on the TLT is still negative, and has been for a year or so.

Oil ETFs gained about 4% last week. However, the outlook for 2025 does not appear too bullish.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated on Wednesday following an Iranian missile attack on Israel, sparking demand for safe-haven assets as investors grew anxious about the potential expansion of the conflict.

In the latest meeting, OPEC+ agreed to extend production cuts of 3.66 million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of 2025, along with prolonging cuts of 2.2 million bpd until September 2024.

Slowing manufacturing activity may instigate the Fed to cut interest rates earlier-than-expected. While this is a plus for oil ETFs, the U.S. government's efforts to keep oil prices low in the election year may not allow those ETFs to soar ahead.