Investment Advisor Matt Golab releases new article, "Iraq Instability and Oil Increases"

ELK GROVE, Calif. - July 9, 2014 - PRLog -- What’s Driving Gasoline Prices?
On June 9, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) began an offensive within Iraq to take control of a large area of land from the Iraqi government led by Shiite Prime Minister al-Maliki. Although small in number, local Sunni tribes alienated and disenfranchised by the policies of al-Maliki’s government have enabled ISIS to seize control of the northern city of Mosul and surrounding areas.
Iraq is the sixth largest oil producer, and oil markets subsequently shot up 4% as the gravity of the situation became evident. In addition, concerns of an oil shock to the economy led equity markets to sell off, albeit briefly, and gold markets to rally.
Although history has taught us that unrest in the Middle East typically leads to higher prices at the pump, the chart below shows that gasoline has increased by only a few pennies since early June. In fact, prices have even fallen in some of the traditionally more expensive markets like San Francisco.

Geography: The fighting is currently isolated to northern Iraq, and more than 80% of Iraq’s production and export facilities are located in the south. We do not expect Sunni rebels to invade oil-producing regions since these locations are so far away and well fortified.
Fracking: The U.S. has become less dependent on imported oil since 2011 due to fracking, which is a technology that has exposed vast amounts of oil below our feet. In fact, U.S. production has risen over 55% since 2011 due to advances made in fracking. Additionally, consumption has fallen from cutting back on driving and more efficient cars.
Seasonal Timing: Gasoline prices normally rise in the spring because refineries shut down to prepare for summer driving demand, which causes supply to drop. Prices then fall in June (see the chart above) because although refineries are already producing, families still have kids in school. The timing of Iraq’s unrest just happens to be during this lull in demand.

Let’s spend more time discussing the impact of fracking to get a better sense of the importance in domestic energy production.

Due to the dramatic rise in domestic oil and gas production, we are now back down to import levels not seen since the mid 1990s. The Investment Committee strongly believes that this trend will continue, and the U.S. will become energy independent by 2016.

Implications for Investors
Any investment manager that holds an allocation to energy stocks simply must assume that unrest in the Middle East will cause energy prices to be volatile at some point every year. We have seen turmoil be a factor in this region since oil was first discovered, and we expect it to continue into the foreseeable future.


However, since the U.S. is moving closer towards energy independence, we expect domestic energy prices to become less responsive to these types of events over time. The charts and commentary above support our beliefs, but for those investors who fear that energy prices will continue to remain volatile, we offer a strategy to hedge these concerns.

Consider adding some protection from rising energy prices using the DIAS Inflation Protection Portfolio, which holds a large allocation of energy stocks. Therefore, when prices at the pump begin to rise, investors can hopefully rest a little easier knowing that a few pennies more at the pump will likely be more than offset with the gains in their portfolios.

Article Credit: Global Financial Private Capital, Comprehensive Wealth Management, LLC

Matt Golab was recruited to write a chapter in Tom Hopkins recent book, Victory which became a National Best Seller. Matt also received the Editors Choice Award for his contribution to Victory, not every contributor is selected for this high honor.

Matt is an authority on creating innovative tax and investment solutions to help his clients succeed in their retirement years.  The strategies Matt Golab has established and passed on through successful financial planning with hundreds of clients over the years has launched him into the national spotlight.

He is often featured in Retirement Advisor Magazine, a publication which attracts the top financial planners in the country. Matt has been featured in newspapers around the country passing on the principals for a successful retirement. Golab is often asked by national websites that focus on the education of consumers to present his knowledge on the areas of retirement and retirement income plans. Matt is frequently featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, MSN Money, The San Francisco Chronicle, Newsweek, TheSmartRetiree, Burlington County Times and appeared nationwide on ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC as well as USA Today.

Matt has a weekly radio show where he discusses all aspects of retirement planning, total wealth management, and estate strategies. Through his relationship with Retirement Radio Network experts such as David Walker former Comptroller General of the United States, Harry Dent of the H.S. Dent Foundation, John Bogle of the Vanguard Funds and many more have been heard on his show Income Forever.

Golab is the Author of The Consumer's Guide to Planning Your Retirement: Your Guide to Mental Peace and Financial Well Being. Matt Golab continues to expand the geographic reach of his audience and desires to bring his expertise to a nationwide television audience. Matt emphatically states his mission, “I want to change the way Americans view their retirement. They can succeed (stay retired) regardless of what happens in the market". Contact information for Matt is available at his website,
http://www.aaronmatthewsfinancial.com/

Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.