With oil finally trading back above the $50-a-barrel level, it’s time to recognize that crude prices are probably not going to remain low for very long, and may end up fluctuating in the $50-$80 range – regardless of what happens to the prices of other commodities.

Will natural gas make a comeback? The odds are pretty good that bargain hunters buying natural gas at today’s bombed-out levels could probably double their money in under a year.

While everyone is focused on what Obama will do with green energy, it is pointed out that Canada is the largest, nearest, most reliable, and friendliest source of oil the U.S. has. Obama would be smart to enhance that relationship even further.

A massive slump in oil exploration spending pummeled Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB), the world’s largest oilfield services corporation, as profit fell 17% in the fourth quarter. But the company said curtailed spending could be setting the stage for a rebound in oil and gas prices as supplies dwindle.

At Contrarian Profits we’re always on the lookout for hidden value opportunities. That’s why the following piece by Taipan Daily’s emerging markets expert Irwin Greenstein has got us really excited.

Irwin says the decision by China Investment Corp (CIC), the country’s $200-billion sovereign wealth fund (SWF) to allocate $250 million in emerging markets means Latin ETFs could receive a big boost.

Irwin says China needs to diversify out the diving dollar and gain greater control of energy reserves – and Latin America serves both purposes best…

Oil is the energy resource that captures public attention, but its poor cousin natural gas could be the one now offering more interesting investment opportunities.