The value of oil is driven by supply, political and environmental factors and demand from high-energy-driven nations. As the current climate shows, oil can be very volatile. For some investors, falling prices are an opportunity, and for those willing to take the risks, there is the potential to grab discounted oil stocks that are still good value—and will ideally rise.
Our selection of top picks is based on the same criteria as our annual Stock Trading Platform Awards. This is updated yearly to reflect changes in the market.
"Best for" picks are those we've evaluated to be best for specific product features or categories – you can read our full methodology here. If we show a "Promoted" pick, it's been chosen from among our commercial partners and is based on factors that include special features or offers, and the commission we receive.
This isn't an exhaustive list of all the trading platforms out there. What's best for you depends on your own investing strategy, budget and financial goals.
1. Invest in oil stocks
Buying stocks in oil companies is one of the most straightforward ways of investing in oil. You can get broad exposure to the oil industry by investing in companies from some of the largest oil producing nations in the world like the United States, China, India and Japan. Major Canadian oil companies include Suncor Energy Inc. (SU.TO), Imperial Oil Ltd. (IMO.TO) and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNQ.TO).
To buy and sell oil stocks, you need to open a stock trading account through a major bank (like Scotia iTRADE or CIBC Investor’s Edge) or an online brokerage (like Wealthsimple or Interactive Brokers).
Pros
Choose from among a wide range of companies
Cash in by selling your stocks whenever you want
Straightforward and versatile way of accessing the oil industry
Stocks may yield higher gains than ETFs, if you choose the right stocks and trade at the right time
Cons
The oil industry can be volatile
Diversification is not built in to individual stock investments, so price swings can have a greater impact on your portfolio than if you invest in ETFs or mutual funds
2. Invest in oil futures
This is the most direct way to purchase the commodity without literally purchasing barrels of oil. In Canada, oil futures are purchased through commodities CFD brokers, many of which are available online. You are buying a contract to purchase oil at a future date at a specified price.
Futures are extremely volatile and riskier than other investment options. You have to be right on the timing and price movement. Futures are mostly traded by experienced investors and institutions only.
Pros
Oil futures are among the most actively traded future on the market and hence the among the most liquid.
Cons
All futures are volatile investments and oil is no exception. No one can predict with any degree of certainty how the price of oil will fluctuate.
Futures expire on a certain date. If you fail to exercise them prior to expiry they become worthless.
Futures are an advanced trading instrument and should only be traded by an experienced investor.
3. Invest in oil exchange traded funds (ETFs)
ETFs hold stocks in many companies, providing wider access to the market and less risk than if you invested in individual companies. Some ETFs track a wide range of sectors and industries, while others focus on specific types of businesses or commodities. You can buy and sell units of an ETF like you would stocks on an exchange.
In Canada, there are several resource-themed ETFs that are exposed to oil company stocks and the price of oil. These include:
BMO S&P/TSX Equal Weight Oil & Gas ETF (ZEO)
BMO Junior Oil Index ETF (ZJO)
Horizons S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF (HXE)
Horizons Canadian Midstream Oil & Gas Index ETF (HOG.TO)
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF (XEG)
Pros
Easy way to diversify your oil investments
Often comes with lower fees than mutual funds
Generally regarded as offering safer, more reliable growth than individual stock investments
Bought and sold on exchanges like stocks
Cons
Less control over the choice and diversification of your assets than individual stock investments
Primarily existing in the gas and oil industry, an MLP is a tax-advantaged corporate structure. It combines the tax benefits of a partnership—profits are taxed only when investors actually receive distributions—with the liquidity of a public company.
Typically, these companies own the pipelines that carry the commodity from one place to another.
Risks to MLPs could come from a slowdown in energy demand, environmental hazards, commodity price fluctuations, and tax law reform.
Pros
Companies can offer a very attractive dividend payment.
MLPs can be traded on an exchange, so they can easily be purchased through financial advisors or online brokers.
Cons
MLPs are subject to general market risk and low energy demand.
Stock prices don’t necessary move lock-step with the price of oil.
MLPs have no built-in diversification compared to a security that invests in many companies, such as an ETF.
Compare brokers to invest in oil stocks and ETFs
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What are the risks of investing in oil?
While long-term investments in oil companies can be highly profitable investors should understand the risk factors before making investments in the sector. These risks include:
Price volatility: large price fluctuations can occur daily due to unpredictable influences such as supply and demand.
Dividend cuts: If a company is unable to earn enough revenue to fund payments to investors dividend can be cut.
Oil spill risk: Accidents such as oil spills can cause a company’s share price to drop significantly. In 2010, London-based oil and gas supermajor BP saw a decline of over 55% to their stock in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Frequently asked questions
This price of oil is constantly changing, but you can check out sites like Markets Insider (a stock website by Business Insider) and Macrotrends for the latest info.
Macrotrends reports that the average price of a barrel of oil in USD (adjusted for inflation) was $42.46 in January 2000, which rose to $86.81 in January, 2010. But by January 2020, it had fallen to $51.61. During periods of economic recession, the price of oil can swing wildly. In June, 2008, it skyrocketed to $165.20 a barrel but plunged to $36.75 during the US “mini recession” of 2016.
Yes. As with any investment, there are financial risks involved.
Yes. However, having a limited portfolio lacking in diversity can increase your risk.
The United States Oil Fund LP (NYSEARCA: USO) is an exchange traded product (ETP) offered by United States Commodity Funds, a US company specializing in managing exchange-traded commodity funds (ETFs).
The USO tracks the daily price movements of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), one of 3 main oil grades used to determine the price of oil. Its investments mostly consist of listed crude oil futures contract and other futures contracts related to oil.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for the product on the provider's website.
Charlie Barton was a publisher at Finder. He specialised in banking and investments products, including banking apps, current accounts, share-dealing platforms and stocks and shares ISAs. Charlie has a first-class degree from the London School of Economics, and in his spare time enjoys long walks on the beach. See full bio
Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio
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