Conflicting trends for energy stocks: State polls only add to uncertainty

Petrochemicals producers may have seen declines in bottom lines

There have been wild gyrations in crude oil and gas prices, with contradictory trends for markets to process. There is the fear factor caused by tensions around the Russia-Ukraine situation and the recent drone terrorist attack in West Asia. The Omicron wave may lead to downgrades for global growth, which in turn would mean downgrades to energy demand. This could mean downward price pressure. But there are also advisories saying demand hasn’t been affected.

There are contradictory assessments of supply-demand equations. There’s slightly higher consensus that supply would remain tight but strong minority opinions that supply will outstrip demand. Prices