Do I invest in commodities or individual commodity stocks?
Yesterday an investor who likes his commodities, James, posted the following comment to the blog:
Hi Roger,
Following you on the TV shows is really helpful to my investment decisions, so thanks very very much.
I’d also like to have your view on current commodity bull trend. I understand that you like to value companies based on ROE, RR, etc, but do you ever try to reasonably predict the metal / commodity / gold price for next year? While you may say that is speculation, but a reasonable prediction based on supply / demand would also help in determining the company value?
James
Following is my response:
I am interested in commodity companies.
There’s something in the fact that billionaire Jim Rogers has been saying expect new highs in virtually all commodities over the next decade. There’s also something ominous in Warren Buffett’s purchase of a railroad company. Both men believe that oil prices will rise substantially.
I think its impossible to predict prices of anything in the short term, however I do believe that over longer periods there are supply/demand considerations that are easier to discern.
With regards to taking advantage of this, I have so far been biased to investing in the commodity itself rather than stocks. Companies that mine, plant or otherwise produce a commodity have risks associated with them that are unrelated to the commodity’s price itself. For example for an exploration company, there are funding risks and execution risks, not to mention management risk and stock market risk.
It is quite possible that you believe that the gold price is going up, but the gold explorer whose shares you have just bought doesn’t find any gold! You may believe that the oil price will rise and yet the particular company you have bought shares in has an environmentally catastrophic spill. The wheat or corn price may be going to go up, but the farm you just bought had its crop wiped out by a flood resulting in no revenue and a higher future capital expense. There are simply risks that aren’t related to the commodity price.
For these reasons, where I have had a view about a commodity, I have thus far taken interests in the commodities directly rather than through stocks.
Posted by Roger Montgomery, 3 December 2009
This post was contributed by a representative of Montgomery Investment Management Pty Limited (AFSL No. 354564). The principal purpose of this post is to provide factual information and not provide financial product advice. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion about any financial product. Any commentary and statements of opinion however may contain general advice only that is prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Because of this, before acting on any of the information provided, you should always consider its appropriateness in light of your personal objectives, financial circumstances and needs and should consider seeking independent advice from a financial advisor if necessary before making any decisions. This post specifically excludes personal advice.
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Phil
:
How can a less equipped investor invest in the futures market?
Andrew Ayers
:
“I have thus far taken interest in commodities directly rather than through stocks.”
Does this mean direct investment in Silver, Gold Bullion etc?
rogermontgomeryinsights
:
I have taken positions in my personal account in commodities such as sugar and oil through the futures markets