Tariffs & Oil: A (Slightly Anxious) Investor’s Log

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Right. So, the tariffs. Honestly, it’s all a bit… much. One minute everything’s fine, the next it’s global trade wars and my portfolio is looking at me with a distinctly reproachful expression. It’s like trying to maintain a sensible skincare routine while simultaneously stress-eating an entire chocolate cake. I keep telling myself to focus on the long term, but the long term feels very far away when there’s a new headline every five minutes. The question is, how much should we, as energy investors, actually worry? It feels important, doesn’t it? But maybe it’s just another shiny object distracting me from the real drivers of wealth… or, you know, preventing total financial ruin.

The latest drama – the Supreme Court knocking down some tariffs, followed by Trump enacting a 15% global tariff on everything (for a limited time, naturally) – means tariffs aren’t going away. It’s just… evolving. Which is exhausting. Basically, if you’re an energy company operating internationally (and let’s face it, most of them are), you’re still dealing with it. I’ve made a list. A list always helps.

Things I’m Currently Slightly Panicking About:

  • Tariffs (obviously)
  • Geopolitical instability (it’s always something)
  • My questionable impulse purchases on Amazon

Here are three things I’m trying to tell myself before I start selling all my holdings and moving to a remote cabin:

1. Oil & Gas Prices: The Real Story

Honestly, the price of oil and natural gas is the thing that really moves the needle. These things are so volatile, it’s terrifying. One minute they’re soaring, the next they’re plummeting. It’s like dating – just when you think you’ve found ‘the one’, they reveal they collect porcelain dolls. All this talk of tariffs feels… secondary. It’s a factor, yes, but not the factor. It’s like worrying about the font on your resume when you haven’t actually applied for any jobs.

2. Different Strokes for Different Folks

Not all energy companies are created equal, which is reassuring, in a way. Devon Energy (DVN +2.69%) – a solid U.S.-based player – won’t feel the tariff pinch as much as, say, ExxonMobil (XOM +0.26%), which is, well, everywhere. ExxonMobil’s diversification is impressive, I have to admit. They’re involved in everything from production to transportation, which cushions the blow from both tariffs and price swings. Devon Energy, on the other hand, is a pure-play producer, meaning it’s more exposed to commodity price fluctuations. It’s a risk/reward thing, I suppose.

If I’m feeling particularly cautious (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time), I could look at midstream businesses like Enterprise Products Partners (EPD +0.75%). They collect fees for moving oil and gas around, so they’re less affected by commodity prices. It’s all about demand, and that tends to stay high even when prices are low. Still, tariffs could disrupt the flow of oil and gas, so even Enterprise isn’t entirely immune. It’s never simple, is it?

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3. The World Needs Energy (Shocking, I Know)

Let’s face it: the world isn’t going to stop using oil and gas anytime soon. It’s a vital part of the global economy. If it did, things would grind to a halt. It’s a bit like trying to quit coffee cold turkey – theoretically a good idea, but practically… chaotic. And while oil and gas are global commodities, there aren’t that many viable options for accessing them. Tariffs might cause some ripples, but they’re unlikely to drastically alter the industry’s long-term operations. Historically, even wars only have a temporary effect on energy supplies and prices. Eventually, things revert to normal. It’s… comforting, in a detached, vaguely existential way.

Current Mood: Cautiously optimistic. Also, in desperate need of a large cup of tea.

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2026-03-05 20:22