Trivia Question: Can you name the largest oil company in the world? (Hint: it’s not Exxon Mobil)
Before getting to the answer, let’s quickly recap a handful of recent developments in global oil markets. Crude oil prices are once again nearing their highest levels since the economic recovery began in 2009. Currently, crude oil in the United States is priced at about $108 per barrel. High and rising prices are being driven by a combination of numerous factors including tight supply in physical markets, rising global demand, as well as an unquantifiable geopolitical risk premium. I’ll spend more time on the supply and demand aspect of this situation in the upcoming quarterly letter next month, but I want to take our time today to examine the geopolitical risk premium. Read More