If one thing’s clear about recent developments in the Middle East, it’s that events defy prediction. Yet timing trades in the energy sector requires the seemingly impossible.

On Monday, we listened to a thoughtful call arranged by RW Baird with Greg Priddy, Director, Global Energy and Middle East, at Stratfor. Greg expects a measured, near term response from Iran intended to be regarded as proportional, allowing for a similar U.S. response (i.e. target a couple of Iranian missile installations), and thereby avoiding escalation. It sounds very neat, and prone to miscalculation.

Greg Priddy felt that the virtual collapse of the Iranian nuclear deal is more problematic over the long run. In its first response to the killing of General Suleimani, the government announced that, “Iran will continue its nuclear enrichment with no limitations and based on its technical needs.” As Iran approaches an offensive nuclear capability, this is likely to draw a response from Israel or the U.S. He put the timeframe as by the summer, which struck us as startlingly soon. Priddy placed the odds of a significant U.S. military attack on Iran this year at 45%.

Ratcheting up the price of crude oil may be one of the few levers Iran holds over President Trump in an election year. So far, oil traders have been surprisingly sanguine about the prospects of supply disruption. Following September’s attack on Saudi infrastructure, oil retraced its initial jump within a couple of weeks, as supply was quickly restored. Some analysts believe that the recent jump in prices won’t be sustained without an actual loss of supply. The Shale Revolution has enhanced America’s freedom to act.

However, given the domestic American politics of rising gas prices, a series of moves to interrupt supply would seem to be one of few meaningful strategies left to Iran. Attacks on fixed targets will draw a U.S. response, but if shipping insurance rates rise and the smooth transport of oil around the world becomes less certain, Iran may yet find it has some leverage and buy it time until the US election.

The problem Iran’s leadership now faces is that it has raised expectations domestically for a robust response, but its choices remain limited. Meanwhile, Trump has shown he’s not interested in nation building or committing U.S. land forces. He  has established a clear red line that the loss of American lives won’t be tolerated. Cruise missiles and drones allow the U.S. to pursue remote yet devastating engagement with minimal risk. Crippling economic sanctions continue to hurt the Iranian population.

Iran’s current approach of low-level, asymmetric attacks has also failed to achieve their goals They may have overplayed their hand, and are now left with few options.  A direct military response risks heavy-handed retaliation, while small provocations through proxies expose Iran’s leaders personally. It’s unclear how Iran’s government can lower tensions, and little evidence they want to.

Trump’s killing of Suleimani highlights how unpredictable the conflict has become. Energy investments are a good insurance policy. The past decade’s underperformance against the S&P500 has left many investors underweight, and lowered the sector’s correlation with the rest of the market. Oil prices don’t yet price much risk premium. Midstream energy infrastructure’s growing free cash flow (see The Coming Pipeline Cash Gusher) is well beyond Iran’s reach, and offers a highly likely outcome in a period of uncertainty.

Important Disclosures

The information provided is for informational purposes only and investors should determine for themselves whether a particular service, security or product is suitable for their investment needs. The information contained herein is not complete, may not be current, is subject to change, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the more complete disclosures, risk factors and other terms that are contained in the disclosure, prospectus, and offering. Certain information herein has been obtained from third party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified and its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. No representation is made with respect to the accuracy,  completeness or timeliness of this information. Nothing provided on this site constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments.  Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This site is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction.

References to indexes and benchmarks are hypothetical illustrations of aggregate returns and do not reflect the performance of any actual investment. Investors cannot invest in an index and do not reflect the deduction of the advisor’s fees or other trading expenses. There can be no assurance that current investments will be profitable. Actual realized returns will depend on, among other factors, the value of assets and market conditions at the time of disposition, any related transaction costs, and the timing of the purchase. Indexes and benchmarks may not directly correlate or only partially relate to portfolios managed by SL Advisors as they have different underlying investments and may use different strategies or have different objectives than portfolios managed by SL Advisors (e.g. The Alerian index is a group MLP securities in the oil and gas industries. Portfolios may not include the same investments that are included in the Alerian Index. The S & P Index does not directly relate to investment strategies managed by SL Advisers.)

This site may contain forward-looking statements relating to the objectives, opportunities, and the future performance of the U.S. market generally. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as; “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” “potential” and other similar terms. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to financial condition, results of operations, and success or lack of success of any particular investment strategy. All are subject to various factors, including, but not limited to general and local economic conditions, changing levels of competition within certain industries and markets, changes in interest rates, changes in legislation or regulation, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting a portfolio’s operations that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Such statements are forward-looking in nature and involves a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or examples. None of SL Advisors LLC or any of its affiliates or principals nor any other individual or entity assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, subsequent events or any other circumstances. All statements made herein speak only as of the date that they were made. r

Certain hyperlinks or referenced websites on the Site, if any, are for your convenience and forward you to third parties’ websites, which generally are recognized by their top level domain name. Any descriptions of, references to, or links to other products, publications or services does not constitute an endorsement, authorization, sponsorship by or affiliation with SL Advisors LLC with respect to any linked site or its sponsor, unless expressly stated by SL Advisors LLC. Any such information, products or sites have not necessarily been reviewed by SL Advisors LLC and are provided or maintained by third parties over whom SL Advisors LLC exercise no control. SL Advisors LLC expressly disclaim any responsibility for the content, the accuracy of the information, and/or quality of products or services provided by or advertised on these third-party sites.

All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will be suitable or profitable for a client’s investment portfolio.

Past performance of the American Energy Independence Index is not indicative of future returns.