Spring is in the air, and it's that time again: March Madness. No, not the basketball tourney-we mean the historical rise in crude oil and natural gas prices, which increase an average of 4 percent and 7 percent, respectively, according to recent research from natural resources and emerging markets mutual fund company U.S. Global Investors. And this March looks like it will continue the pattern, says Evan Smith, co-manager of the company's Global Resources Fund (PSPFX).
Smith has over a decade of experience in the energy industry. Before joining U.S. Global Investors in 2004, he was a trader with Houston-based Koch Capital Markets and an equities research analyst for Sanders Morris Harris, where he followed oil, gas, coal and pipeline companies.
HAI Associate Editor Lara Crigger recently sat down with Smith to get his take on the 2010 outlook for oil and gas, including what influence new seasonal trends from China have had, why rising U.S. crude imports usually lead to a drop in prices, and why shale natural gas could change everything.
