If you’ve cut down on trips to the grocery store or the mall lately, you’re not the only one…
Although the latest inflation figure has dropped to 4%, American consumers are still feeling significant price squeezes.
As I explained in a recent essay, the U.S. is facing an unprecedented rise in food insecurity. Groceries are 20% more expensive than two years ago. In 2022, food prices increased by 9.9%. And this year, they’re expected to go up by 6.2%.
All of this boils down to one thing…
The cost of energy.
Right now, the United States is facing its most severe energy crisis in almost five decades. Prices are skyrocketing, and the availability of energy is becoming increasingly limited.
So today and tomorrow, I’ll delve into what’s happening in the energy sector. I’ll also explain how despite spiraling costs, there’s one way you can profit from the energy crisis…
Food and Energy Prices Go Hand in Hand
Many people don’t realize that food and energy prices go hand in hand.
It takes energy – especially fossil fuels – to produce food.
Oil is used to make pesticides and food packaging. And natural gas is used to make fertilizer. Both generate electricity for the food production industry.
We also need energy to transport food to the store.
So when the price of energy rises, the price of food goes up as well. In fact, research shows that changes in oil prices can explain more than 60% of the variation in food prices.
But haven’t energy prices been cooling off lately?
If we compare current energy prices to when the Russia-Ukraine War first kicked off and sent oil and gas prices soaring, it sure seems that way.
Back then, concerns about Russian energy supplies shot oil prices up to a staggering $120 per barrel. As a result, European gas prices went off the charts.
Let’s rewind back to the summer of 2022…
That’s when we saw the full effects of the energy crisis.
Drivers faced record-breaking prices, paying over $5.10 per gallon of gasoline, while natural gas prices reached a 14-year high.
This year, prices have moderated as traders bet on reduced energy consumption due to lower economic activity.
For instance, gasoline prices fell below $4 per gallon.
But that doesn’t mean the crisis is over. The reality is that high prices have simply discouraged consumers from refueling their vehicles.
Today, oil is hovering around $74 per barrel. And crude is just one piece of the puzzle…
Since early 2020, natural gas is up an impressive 117%. Diesel gasoline and regular gasoline are up about 50% and 36%, respectively.
Even so, there’s more to the story than just skyrocketing prices…
Renewable Energy Isn’t Enough
The energy crisis is not just about fossil fuels… it’s also about electricity.
Take power grids as a case in point…
Recently, many electric grid operators warned about controlled power outages to balance supply and demand on hot days.
And our transition to renewable energy isn’t exactly helping…
For the past decade, politicians of all stripes – along with industry leaders – have advocated for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
As they poured trillions of dollars into that transition, the shift from fossil fuels progressed.
But one thing remains true. There just isn’t enough renewable energy to meet our growing energy demands.
That’s because solar and wind projects can’t provide reliable baseload power. We all know that the wind doesn’t always blow, and the sun doesn’t always shine.
And when they don’t, issues arise…
Just look at California.
In 2020, during a heatwave, the state faced rolling blackouts due to a heavy reliance on renewable energy sources and a reduced presence of gas-fired power plants. The reduction in solar power production during evenings made these energy shortages even worse.
No matter how you feel about fossil fuels, turning off one of our main sources of consistent power without a solid backup plan is simply not a wise move.
Whether it’s coal, natural gas, or oil, baseload power is there when you need it. Day or night. Rain or shine. Windy or calm. Regardless of the weather, it’s always ready to perform.
The good news is, the U.S. government is finally waking up to that fact. President Biden is now taking steps to restructure the energy transition. In fact, he is enacting a new plan that will ensure U.S. energy independence for years to come.
And with that, it’ll open the floodgates for a handful of tiny, energy stocks.
Trillions of dollars are about to change hands… with over $400 billion up for grabs just in the months ahead.
That’s why on Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m. ET, I’m airing a special presentation called Biden’s Stealth Plan. During the event, I’ll explain how you can profit from the realignment in the world’s energy powers.
Make sure you add it to your calendar by clicking here.
Then, tomorrow, I’ll delve into why renewables aren’t ready to take over worldwide energy demand just yet…
Regards,
 |
Nomi Prins
Editor, Inside Wall Street with Nomi Prins
P.S. I’ve spent weeks talking to industry leaders and policymakers…
And I believe that right now, the most explosive opportunity is in the energy market.
Thanks to Biden’s new plan, we’re about to see billions of dollars flood into a tiny, energy sector.
A staggering $4.9 trillion is up for grabs… along with over $400 billion just in the months ahead.
For more details about how to get in on this massive opportunity, make sure you attend my special presentation on Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m. ET.
If you haven’t yet, add the event to your calendar by clicking here. And I’ll see you there.