EM PM, Ecstrat

Emad Mostaque

EM PM

Ecstrat

Ecstrat is a consultancy advising on asset allocation between global equity markets, with a focus on the intersection of governments, geopolitics, governance and markets.
 
Over the past few years and more especially since the Great Financial Crisis (GFC), investors have become more focused on short-term market movements and real-time returns and have consequently neglected the analysis of the underlying structural themes that underpin longer term performance.
​
More specifically we believe that the evolution of governance-based relationships between investors, controlling shareholders, labour and the state is one of the primary determinants of both relative and absolute performance between individual equity markets.
 
We will endeavour to provide investors with some of the context surrounding governance-related issues which encompass many different disciplines including history, economics and political science, as well as the financial metrics which are the most obvious manifestation of the structural characteristics of each market.
 
We will pay particular attention to the shifts and potential inflection points for governance in individual markets as these are often the best lead indicators for both economic and market performance.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

This piece highlights my recent proposal for a mechanism to solve the enforceability and adaptability issues faced by OPEC in their proposed production cuts and provides some worked examples of how the Tactical Petroleum Fund would work in practice for Smartkarma readers.

This piece highlights my recent proposal for a mechanism to solve the enforceability and adaptability issues faced by OPEC in their proposed production cuts and provides some worked examples of how the Tactical Petroleum Fund would work in practice for Smartkarma readers.

Director - Research, Consulting and Advisory, BondAdviser

Nicholas Yaxley

Director - Research, Consulting and Advisory

Australian bonds & fixed income research

BondAdviser

BondAdviser is the central reference point for intelligent information on Australian fixed income markets. We help you make informed decisions by providing unbiased research, transparent pricing data, analytics, portfolio tools and education.

BondAdviser has the broadest coverage of retail-accessible ASX-listed and over-the-counter Australian bonds and fixed income securities. We make it easy for you to review and compare investments before you place an order with your broker or dealer.

Credit

The BondAdviser Corporate Hybrid Handbook 2017 is designed to be a useful reference for ASX-listed corporate hybrid securities and the credit profiles of their underlying issuers. We believe there are a number of attractive investment opportunities across different corporate industries.Corporate hybrids are overshadowed in a market dominated by banks and other financial institutions. As a result, many investors fail to reap the diversification benefits that non-financial issuers offer in a balanced portfolio. While bank and other financial hybrids are often driven by macro-economic, regulatory and/or political themes and trends, corporate hybrids warrant a more case-by-case approach which promotes diversification. For this reason, corporate hybrids should not be overlooked.Given the ‘lower-for-longer’ interest rate environment, the search for yield is becoming an increasingly difficult task. While hybrids continue to be an attractive option to boost income, they are not without inherent risks.

 The BondAdviser Corporate Hybrid Handbook 2017 is designed to be a useful reference for ASX-listed corporate hybrid securities and the credit profiles of their underlying issuers. We believe there are a number of attractive investment opportunities across different corporate industries.Corporate hybrids are overshadowed in a market dominated by banks and other financial institutions. As a result, many investors fail to reap the diversification benefits that non-financial issuers offer in a balanced portfolio. While bank and other financial hybrids are often driven by macro-economic, regulatory and/or political themes and trends, corporate hybrids warrant a more case-by-case approach which promotes diversification. For this reason, corporate hybrids should not be overlooked.Given the ‘lower-for-longer’ interest rate environment, the search for yield is becoming an increasingly difficult task. While hybrids continue to be an attractive option to boost income, they are not without inherent risks. 

Leading Independent Investment Research, Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar

Leading Independent Investment Research

Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. We offer an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. 

Morningstar provides data on more than 500,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 16 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $180 billion in assets under advisement or management as of June 30, 2015. We have operations in 27 countries.

Download the Morningstar Fact Sheet : http://corporate.morningstar.com/US/documents/MarketingFactSheets/AboutMorningstarFactsheet.pdf

In a somewhat surprising development, OPEC members have tentatively agreed to a production target of between 32.5 million and 33.3 million barrels per day, representing a reduction of up to 700 mb/d from current production levels of 33.2 mmb/d.Oil prices rallied on the news, but our view for continued low prices of $50/bbl in 2017 (detailed in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/oil-markets-fundamentals-improving-but-u-s-shale-still-looms" target="_blank">Oil Markets: Fundamentals Improving, but U.S. Shale Still Looms</a>) remains unchanged, as we do not believe the potential reduction will have a meaningful sustainable impact on oil prices. While the low end of the target range is nearly 1 mmbd lower than our 2017 forecast for OPEC production, and if realized, it would balance markets and reduce inventories sooner than our original expectations, we see numerous risk factors that we think prevent a sustained recovery in prices until 2018.Analysts: Stephen Simko, CFA &amp; Lorraine Tan, CFA

In a somewhat surprising development, OPEC members have tentatively agreed to a production target of between 32.5 million and 33.3 million barrels per day, representing a reduction of up to 700 mb/d from current production levels of 33.2 mmb/d.Oil prices rallied on the news, but our view for continued low prices of $50/bbl in 2017 (detailed in Oil Markets: Fundamentals Improving, but U.S. Shale Still Looms) remains unchanged, as we do not believe the potential reduction will have a meaningful sustainable impact on oil prices. While the low end of the target range is nearly 1 mmbd lower than our 2017 forecast for OPEC production, and if realized, it would balance markets and reduce inventories sooner than our original expectations, we see numerous risk factors that we think prevent a sustained recovery in prices until 2018.Analysts: Stephen Simko, CFA &amp; Lorraine Tan, CFA

OPEC Cuts, U.S. E&Ps Drill: Our Oil Price Outlook Remains Unchanged

In May we noted that Saudi was likely to pursue a production maximisation policy for 6 months, with a freeze or cuts likely as we head into winter.This appears to have been prescient as OPEC yesterday announced that OPEC-14 production levels would be capped at 32.5-33mbpd, a slight decrease over the levels achieved over summer and back at Doha talks levels.However, detail is lacking on the proposal and there is strong reason to doubt potential enforceability of any agreement, with oil jumping but still being flat month on month as a result.This piece explores some of these issues and potential market action.

In May we noted that Saudi was likely to pursue a production maximisation policy for 6 months, with a freeze or cuts likely as we head into winter.This appears to have been prescient as OPEC yesterday announced that OPEC-14 production levels would be capped at 32.5-33mbpd, a slight decrease over the levels achieved over summer and back at Doha talks levels.However, detail is lacking on the proposal and there is strong reason to doubt potential enforceability of any agreement, with oil jumping but still being flat month on month as a result.This piece explores some of these issues and potential market action.

Crude markets have tightened a good deal in recent months, as strong demand growth and supply issues have pulled forward the industry recovery by about a year, relative to our previous outlook. Fundamentals after 2017 are looking particularly bullish for prices, and an oil price rally in 2018 is looking more and more likely (we've raised our 2018 West Texas Intermediate, or WTI, forecast to $65 per barrel).Even so, the strength of U.S. shale is lurking beneath the surface: Our analysis shows that the recent uptick in rigs and falling shale decline rates together are enough to stabilize U.S. crude production within six months. Remarkably, if activity isn't scaled back, U.S. production will begin growing in 2017 (albeit barely). This underscores the strength of U.S. tight oil: Should a price rally ensue, it is far too strong to not overheat and eventually snuff out any future oil price rally. We remain bearish on oil prices longer term, and we reiterate our midcycle oil price outlook of $55 WTI ($60 Brent).Analyst: Stephen Simko, CFA

Crude markets have tightened a good deal in recent months, as strong demand growth and supply issues have pulled forward the industry recovery by about a year, relative to our previous outlook. Fundamentals after 2017 are looking particularly bullish for prices, and an oil price rally in 2018 is looking more and more likely (we've raised our 2018 West Texas Intermediate, or WTI, forecast to $65 per barrel).Even so, the strength of U.S. shale is lurking beneath the surface: Our analysis shows that the recent uptick in rigs and falling shale decline rates together are enough to stabilize U.S. crude production within six months. Remarkably, if activity isn't scaled back, U.S. production will begin growing in 2017 (albeit barely). This underscores the strength of U.S. tight oil: Should a price rally ensue, it is far too strong to not overheat and eventually snuff out any future oil price rally. We remain bearish on oil prices longer term, and we reiterate our midcycle oil price outlook of $55 WTI ($60 Brent).Analyst: Stephen Simko, CFA

Oil Markets: Fundamentals Improving, but U.S. Shale Still Looms

Australia

Whitehaven Coal Limited mines and sells metallurgical and thermal coals to the global steel, power generation, and metallurgical industries.

Viva Energy Group Limited markets petroleum products. The Company focuses on making, importing, and delivering the fuels, lubricants, chemicals, and bitumen. Viva Energy Group serves the mining, aviation, and marine industries in Australia.

New Hope Corporation Limited is a thermal coal production company based in Australia. The Company also has interests in logistics and infrastructure operations in Australia as well.

Paladin Energy Ltd operates as a mining company. The Company explores and mines uranium. Paladin Energy serves customers worldwide.

Beach Energy Limited explores for, develops, and produces oil and natural gas. The Company holds interests in exploration and production tenements in Australia, USA, Egypt, Tanzania and Papua New Guinea.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson & Company Limited is an investment holding company. The Company owns shares and properties, coal mining, bulk handling, commercial television licensee, telecommunications carrier, merchant banking, funds management, pharmaceutical retailing, manufacture, processing and marketing of biscuits and cakes.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU)

Stanmore Coal Ltd. explores for coal in Australia. The Company's interests include a portfolio of coal assets within Queensland's Bowen and Surat Basin coal provinces.

Emerald Resources NL is an oil and gas exploration company with exploration activities in the United States and Australia.

Karoon Energy Ltd operates as an exploration company. The Company explores and acquires oil and gas exploration assets. Karoon Energy serves customers worldwide.

Deep Yellow Limited is an advanced stage uranium exploration company progressing its core Namibian projects.

S-Oil Corporation refines crude oil and sells petroleum and its related products.  The Company mainly focuses on petroleum refining, petrochemical, and lubricant business. S-Oil's major products are gasoline, bunker oil, kerosene, naphtha, lubricants, benzene, toluene, and xylene.

SM Energy Company is an independent energy company that explores for and produces natural gas and crude oil.  The Company's operations are focused on The ArkLaTex, Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountains, and Permian Basin regions.

Huolinhe Opencut Coal Industry Corporation Limited of Inner Mongolia is mainly involved in the production and selling of coal in China.

Huolinhe Opencut Coal Ind Corp Ltd. (002128 CH)

PT Adaro Energy Tbk is a coal mining company. The Company and its subsidiaries currently deal in coal mining and trade, coal infrastructure and logistics, and mining contractor services.

PBF Energy Inc. is an independent petroleum refiner and supplier. The Company offers unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants and other petroleum products in the United States. PBF's finished products are sold through long-term offtake and supply agreements.

California Resources Corporation is an independent oil and natural gas company. The Company focuses on maximizing the value of land, mineral and technical resources for decarbonization by developing carbon capture and storage and other emissions reducing projects. California Resources serves customers in the State of California.

Guanghui Energy Co., Ltd. is principally engaged in energy development, automotive services and real estate property leasing. The Company is in the business of coal mining and related coal chemical manufacturing. The Company is also engaged in the processing and distributing of granite materials and trading of general merchandise such as plastic doors and windows.

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited refines oil and produces petroleum and petrochemicals. The Company is a subsidiary of ONGC. Mangalore Refinery operates a refinery in Mangalore city that produces premium diesel and unleaded petrol of high octane.

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL IN)

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited

PDC Energy, Inc. produces and distributes petroleum products. The Company produces, develops, explores and markets crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. PDC Energy operates in the United States.

Murphy Oil Corporation is a worldwide oil and gas exploration and production company with refining and marketing operations in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Company also has exploration and production activities in countries that include United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Ecuador. Murphy Oil has retail operations as well in the United States.

Ampol Limited provides petroleum products. The Company offers petrol and convenience network as well as refining, importing, and marketing fuels and lubricants. Ampol serves defence, mining, transport, marine, agriculture, aviation, and other commercial sectors in Australia.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Ampol (ALD AU)

How to Fix Oil Prices

This piece highlights my recent proposal for a mechanism to solve the enforceability and adaptability issues faced by OPEC in their proposed...

Emad Mostaque

Corporate Hybrids Handbook 2017

The BondAdviser Corporate Hybrid Handbook 2017 is designed to be a useful reference for ASX-listed corporate hybrid securities and the credit...

BondAdviser

OPEC Cuts, U.S. E&Ps Drill: Our Oil Price Outlook Remains Unchanged

In a somewhat surprising development, OPEC members have tentatively agreed to a production target of between 32.5 million and 33.3 million barrels...

Morningstar, Inc.

Can OPEC Cut Production

In May we noted that Saudi was likely to pursue a production maximisation policy for 6 months, with a freeze or cuts likely as we head into...

Emad Mostaque

Oil Markets: Fundamentals Improving, but U.S. Shale Still Looms

Crude markets have tightened a good deal in recent months, as strong demand growth and supply issues have pulled forward the industry recovery by...

Morningstar, Inc.

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)