Gasoline Contango And Crude Inventories Weigh On Oil Prices

In the latest edition of the Numbers Report, we’ll take a look at some of the most interesting figures put out this week in the energy sector. Each week we’ll dig into some data and provide a bit of explanation on what drives the numbers.

Let’s take a look.

1. M&A activity picking up

– In the second quarter, the value of the average M&A deal in the oil industry reached its highest level since the third quarter of 2014. The average deal was valued at $182 million.- Range Resources (NYSE: RRC) acquired Memorial Resource Development. Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) sold off assets in the Midland and Anadarko Basins. – The sharp increase in the value of M&A deals indicates rising confidence in the oil markets as prices began to rebound. Oil prices jumped from $26 per barrel at their lowest point in the first quarter to $50 per barrel at the end of the second. – There is no shortage of companies looking to dispose of assets, a fact that has pushed down the value of assets themselves. Debt markets remained interested in the sector throughout 2015, allowing E&Ps to access debt financing. More equity has been issued lately, providing cash to companies for asset acquisition.

2. Gasoline spreads move into contango

– Gasoline margins are typically in a state of backwardation in the summer, in which front-month contracts trade at a premium to longer-term futures. That happens because of peak driving season,…