Since then, there were a few historically winning days, driving oil up 15.6% by the end of Aug. However, contango still persists, making the S&P GSCI Crude Oil Total Return’s loss of 10.3% month-to-date through Sep. 10, 2015, on track for the worst month in history.
Finally, will contango persist? To put the contango streak into historical context, if Sep. stays in contango, that will be the 10th month straight which is not even close to a record losing streak. Plus the glut from OPEC, the U.S. and others in a market share competition for China as a consumer can prolong it, especially since China’s economy is under pressure and their currency is devalued, making it more expensive for them to import oil. There are six longer contango streaks than the current one at 10 months, and the longest lasted three years that was part of a 61 month streak from June 2008 – June 2013 that was only interrupted by two separate months of backwardation in Oct. 2008 and Nov. 2011. Please see the table below:
The S&P GSCI Crude Oil Total Return has only fallen 30.9% since its recent high on May 6, 2014. That again is far from its worst total return loss of 82.3% in the global financial crisis. From the current index level, another 74.3% needs to be shaved off to match that drawdown but with the help of persistent contango, it’s possible.
This article was written by Jodie Gunzberg, Global head of Commodities, S&P Dow Jones Indices.
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