Ways to Invest in Oil and Gas

By Terry Stanfield

If you are interested in oil and gas investing there are three primary ways you can go about starting your investment. These ways include investing in companies, mutual funds, and commodities. You can make a lot of money in this industry if you are smart about your investments.

Investors consider gas investments to be safe. This is because there are so many ways that someone can invest their money in the industry. You are not limited to only buying stock in a business but there are so many other ways to invest too. It is easy to diversify your portfolio of investments with only oil and gas in the many different ways you can invest.

The primary way to take advantage of oil investments is through company stock. If you find a drilling company that you want to invest in because you believe they will strike oil some time soon you can purchase their stocks. There are tons of companies out there who drill for oil. There are independent companies and medium-sized businesses and more. It is important to know that stock with gas investments does not always provide the largest return on investment.

Mutual funds that have a primary focus on energy is another way you can look at oil and gas investing. A mutual fund in this field may focus on the oil and gas but have stock in many companies in the field. This fund may include large companies and independent companies too. One type of a mutual fund is a drilling fund. This is broken down into two fields; exploratory and developmental drilling. Exploratory drilling is as the name suggests, exploring to find oil and gas. Developmental drilling uses wells that already exist. It monitors the development and production limits.

Gas investments can also include commodities. This includes things like royalty funds, leas acquisition funds, and even combination funds. There are many ways commodities are offered for investments in the oil and gas industry.

There are many ways you can invest in the oil and gas industry. If you are interested in oil and gas investments you should consider looking into the different methods. You can invest your money in company stock, mutual funds, and even commodities. Some investors make a huge amount of profit and some don't. Any type of investing is risky so you should do plenty of research before you do anything with your investment. - 23210

About the Author:

Visit Evans Energy's site for information on investng in oil and gas and oil and gas investment benefits.

Real Estate Investment Guide

By Matt Leitz

Real estate investment has become one of the best ways to invest your money. This sector is also growing at a very rapid pace. This is why if you have some extra cash that you want to invest, this is the way forward for you. The returns that are realized from the real estate are often very attractive. This is why there are very many companies that are coming up with real estate investment guides, which are not always effective. Below are some tips that will assist you when you want to become a real estate investor.

Cheap purchasing price A property that is good to invest in will be sold at a price that is lower than the one being offered in the market currently. There are many reasons why sellers will opt to sell at a lower price including emergencies, diseases, the urgent need for cash and even divorce. If the property that you want is at a high price, you may need to wait for a longer period of time before you get any returns. Those that come at a lower price may need furnishing therefore you should take this into consideration when you are buying it.

Investing for the short term This is when you purchase a house and sell it later for a profit. This is good because you are assured of making a profit from your investment. The amount of time that you spend waiting or speculating about the investment is less compared to a long-term investment. Ensure that you are well aware of the hidden costs that are involved. This is especially true when you have to repair or upgrade the property because you may end up using more money than you intended to. Know the exact value of the property before you buy.

Long term investment This involves the buying property that is anticipated to appreciate with time therefore helping you to receive good returns. Because you will have to wait for a long period for your returns to come due, long term commitment and patience is necessary. However, the returns that you will receive are bound to be substantial that may stretch for many years. However, there are laws and regulations that have to be adhered to in this type of investment. These involve contracts, payments, taxes and tenant rights.

Whatever real estate you choose to invest in, make sure that you get adequate advice so that you do not get into a deal that will eventually frustrate you. - 23210

About the Author:

Matt Leitz, the owner of the website http://www.RealEstateInvestor.com has formed this website for the people who truly want to achieve success. His goal is to create a community where that support is accessible and abundant, and is a major asset in every investor's toolbox for their achievement and growth as real estate investors.

Today's Mortgage Refinance for 2009

By Amanda Jackson

When looking at Mortgage Refinance there are quite a few details to which you will want to pay attention. It is very important to realize there are variations from one state to the next when it comes to interest rates, Loan to Value, supply vs. demand and these items will fluctuate without warning.

Mortgage Refinance probably makes very little sense if you plan on moving or foresee paying off your loan within the next few years. Monthly bills won't be around long enough to see the savings that would cover the costs. Refinancing makes sense if you are paying high interest rates, but as we have seen recently, that is usually not the case these days.

Deutsche Bank analyst Nishu Sood wrote in a report to clients on Tuesday, "There are too many factors working against lower rates, including the smaller stimulus this time in terms of payment reduction, falling home prices and tighter mortgage standards." We are aware of the changing conditions in the U.S. Finance Market. This means uncertainty for people considering a Mortgage Refinance.

Change in restrictions has caused what could be a temporary decrease in lending. In January of 2009, Wall Street Analysts suggested the market for 2009 may show deeper losses, as last year's ripple effect works its way through the U.S. We will also see to what degree the growing unemployment rate will affect both original loans and Mortgage Refinance in 2009.

"There are too many factors working against lower rates, including the smaller stimulus this time in terms of payment reduction, falling home prices and tighter mortgage standards." Deutsche Bank analyst Nishu Sood wrote in a report to clients on Tuesday. The outlook for the other leg of the real estate market: commercial properties, not looking any better. We will also see to what degree the growing unemployment rate will affect both original loans and Mortgage Refinance in 2009.

We will also see to what degree the growing unemployment rate will affect both original loans and Mortgage Refinance in 2009. The outlook for the other leg of the real estate market: commercial properties, not looking any better as the $3.4 Trillion commercial market began to show its struggle in the fourth quarter of 2008.

During these shaky financial times, there has been discussion about investing the money you would spend on a Mortgage Refinance rather than actually Refinancing. This suggestion was based on the comparison of the cost of refinancing being put into the life of a 30 year loan vs. putting that amount into an investment over 30 years. If you could get an investment that shows a 9% return on the $2,000 dollars then it would grow to approximately $26,500.

Today's finance rates are subject to change at any time and as mentioned previously, without warning. Take a look at both options then make a decision based upon the reason for looking at a Mortgage Refinance in the first place. Try not to rush out and make a rash decision simply to beat the interest rates possibility of going back up, but don't sit around and wait until it is too late if it truly turns out to be in your best interest to Refinance. - 23210

About the Author:

This article is brought to you by the team at Best Mortgage Refinance. Visit them for More free information and articles about Mortgage Refinance

Five Signs of an Oil and Gas Investment Scam

By Terry Stanfield

If you are talking to a company about oil and gas investments it is important to know the signs of a scam. There are scams in every industry or anything that pertains to money. Don't let someone scam you of your money. Here are six easy ways to tell you are talking to a scammer.

1. If you are talking to an oil investments company who claims there is absolutely no risk with the investment, it is a scam. Oil is a risky investment. Any smart investor knows this and any company who tells you otherwise is lying. You can lose every dime when you invest in oil and gas. This is a fact. You can also make a killing, but the risk is very high.

2. If a gas investments company tells you that they have found a well that is guaranteed to make money, you know it is a scam. There is no guarantee that a well is not dry. If the investment firm knew 100% that the well was guaranteed they wouldn't be asking you for your money. No well is for sure. You are taking the risk of the investment that it might not be.

3. Many scammers will tell you that a well known oil company is planning to start drilling in a particular area. Think about your investment. Are you investing in a location, the drilling company, or what? Drilling is about location but you cannot guarantee a location has oil.

4. It is also common for scammers to say they have landed a huge discovery and they want to share it with you for a price. This is not how oil investments work and you should be leery about anything like this. Many scammers offer e-books and other things that claim inside of them is the truth about investing and you will make a ton of money if you buy the products. Don't fall for these types of scams.

5. The Better Business Bureau has many complaints from people about being scammed. If someone gets scammed they are quick to go to this resource. Always verify the company is not ripping people off.

If you are looking into oil and gas investing it is important you do plenty of research. You can trust people but you must always verify what they are saying is true. Many things being said to you may not even be worth wasting your time to verify because they are just not true. Understand that anyone who dumps their money and funds into gas investments is taking a serious risk. There are no 'secret' tips and there is no guarantee, ever. - 23210

About the Author:

Visit Evans Energy's site for information on investng in oil and gas and oil and gas investment benefits.

Crack Wallstreet Unfolding Economic Indicators

By Josh Blackmiller

Up-to-the-minute news from the financial market is essential to wise investment decisions. To get this timely information, the IBD and WSJ are key. You gain an edge when ascertaining reliable metrics along with spot-on insights about market forces and economic trends.

Dominant economic indicators change before the economy changes. These indicators are gross domestic product (GDP) reports, consumer price index (CPI) reports, the producer price index (PPI), employment indicators, retail sales index, the national association of purchasing management index (NAPM), the consumer confidence index, durable goods order, employment cost index (ECI) and the productivity report which measures how much output is created by a unit of labor.

How these two things can affect your personal finances and investments is a case of systematic review and immediately taking action. Consumer confidence is one of the best indicators of the direction of the economy published in the Wall Street Journal and other leading financial papers. It is the first sign of an economic downturn or upswing.

Consumer confidence numbers are part of a particular set of statistics that are known as ''leading indicators''. They can reveal economic trends several weeks before harder objective data makes it apparent.

Consumer confidence numbers are arrived at through interviews with a random sample of consumers. These random selections are geared as a relative representative of attitudes and population structure of the country as a whole. Data point answers are weighted according to different income groups, occupations, and regions.

Many believe that a high consumer confidence is crucial to economic growth. These figures are released on the last Tuesday of the month at 10 am EST. This report measures how confident consumers feel about the state of the economy and their spending spark, or lack thereof.

Although a bit more futuristic, the stock market is normally a leading indicator of market direction. Historically, it has always led the real economy by about six months.

Thus, even in a tough economy, there can be what is called ''fake out's'' or ''dead cat bounces'' prior to a downward plunge in the market. On the other hand, in an improving market, there can be a sudden dive that leaves a lot of investors puzzled. Other people who invested and were defeated will leave a down market that will be opportunistic for others who can step in and take advantage of the situation. Get a Wall Street Journal subscription and read about Consumer Price Index national and international breakouts. - 23210

About the Author:

Get expert insight on the market and economy and how both can impact your everyday finances and personal investments. With The WSJ you get financial news as it happens placed on your doorstep or office, 5 days a week. ALSO included in your price you'll receive the Weekend Edition, delivered on Saturdays to an address of your choice with Wall Street Journal delivery