Shannon Saccocia, CIO, Boston Private Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund XLE-N COMMENT Feb 16, 2024

Energy is up 3% this week. People are driving and gas demand is up big, but expect volatility.

There's been a lot of M&A in energy, so she expects nice returns for the rest of the year. YOY energy earnings for companies are starting to climb.

Oil inventories, but also oil demand in the cycle are both peaking. He's bullish oil for the rest of the year.

He owns a lot of energy stocks. This sector is performing a lot better year to date than the street gives it credit. Many energy companies like Exxon and Marathon are doing well. The second half of 2024 looks positive.

Her energy outlook: bullish. If there's a rotation based on valuation, then energy is now attractive. If the Fed cuts rates in the second half of 2024, the 2-year-yield will drop which will benefit dividend stocks like energy. Also, we're in summer driving season and an oil price shock can always happen.

The sector has been going nowhere. It needs a catalyst like an event in the Middle East to move shares up. Likes Diamondback and Exxon.

He sold his small position. Crude is down 7.5% the past month. For energy, you need to be in the fully integrated names. But it's too early to play energy--see how much China will stimulate demand.

Finally, the tide has turned in China (news of government stimulus this past week), so it's time to be exposed to China, which ahs been a terrible place to invest. It's a trade of at least 6 months.

Trump wants to reduce energy price. Near-term, any resolution in the Russia-Ukraine war will put pressure and a ceiling on oil prices.

Oil prices have shown a little life recently. This is a contrarian trade, but likes it full year. It's part of the cyclical trade and will rise in a relief rally when rotation happens again.