Real Assets
U.S. Stock Market in 2022: Biggest Energy Winners
U.S. Stock Market in 2022: Biggest Energy Winners
It’s been a relatively tough year in the equities market, but, as always, some sectors performed better than others.
2022 was an especially good year for energy companies on the S&P 500, with all companies in the industry finishing the year off in the green while the technology, communication services and consumer cyclical sectors predominantly sported red.
Let’s take a closer look at the 2022 energy stock market based on Finviz’s S&P 500 Map.
The Big Winners
As global energy prices soared in the ongoing aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, energy companies performed exceptionally well in 2022.
Significant gains were seen in nearly all sub-industries of the industry, with exploration and production leading the way. Midstream corporations lagged relatively behind in terms of year-to-date performances but still closed the year off with more than 30% gains on average.
Here are the top five gainers from 2022.
| Rank | Company | Energy Sub-Industry | 2022 Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) | Oil & Gas Exploration and Production | +117% |
| 2 | Hess Corporation (HES) | Oil & Gas Exploration and Production | +92% |
| 3 | Marathon Petroleum Corp (MPC) | Oil & Gas Refining and Marketing | +82% |
| 4 | ExxonMobil Corp (XOM) | Oil & Gas Integrated | +80% |
| 5 | Schlumberger Limited (SLB) | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | +79% |
Collectively, the energy sector was the largest contributor to the S&P 500 earning growth in 2022.
In December 2022, Texas-based ExxonMobil’s market value surpassed that of Tesla for the first time since 2020. On the other hand, Occidental Petroleum Corporation benefitted from Berkshire Hathaway accumulating a $12 billion position in the company throughout the year, eventually owning 20.9% of the stock. Occidental’s valuation more than doubled in the process.
It was a triumphant year in the energy sector, to say the least. Other well-performing industries in the S&P 500 in 2022, though there weren’t many, were healthcare and insurance.
Looking Ahead to 2023
Even as 2023 predictions paint a gloomy picture for the global economy, the energy sector is expected to keep up its good performance into the new year, though with less volatility predicted in energy prices in comparison to 2022.
There are a few things to keep an eye on as 2023 kicks off. The ongoing sanctions against Russia in many European countries, and the continent’s subsequent gas crisis, are likely to continue in 2023 as former big importers of Russian gas, such as Germany and Italy, look elsewhere to meet their needs.
China’s reopening after its current COVID surge is also predicted to affect the energy market, with demand likely surging as the country eases the strict lockdowns currently in place, bringing oil prices up along with it.
In general, a tighter oil market is predicted in 2023, potentially continuing the trends we saw in 2022.
Real Assets
How Much Gold is in Fort Knox?
The United States Bullion Depository holds more than half of the Treasury’s $428B in gold reserves.
How Much Gold Is in Fort Knox?
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to visit Fort Knox “to make sure the gold is there.”
Officially, the United States Bullion Depository (commonly known as Fort Knox) holds over half of the Treasury’s $428 billion gold reserves.
In this graphic, we put that amount into perspective by comparing Fort Knox’s reserves with central bank gold reserves worldwide. The data comes from the U.S. Mint and the World Gold Council. For illustrative purposes, we considered a pallet of 1,190 gold bars (400 troy ounces each) weighing approximately 14.8 tonnes.
What Is Fort Knox?
Located in Kentucky, Fort Knox is a U.S. Army installation that serves as the primary storage site for America’s gold reserves. The facility was established in the 1930s to protect gold from potential foreign attacks.
The first gold shipment arrived in 1937 via U.S. Mail from the Philadelphia Mint and the New York Assay Office. During World War II, Fort Knox safeguarded important U.S. documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It has also housed international treasures, such as the Magna Carta and the crown, sword, scepter, orb, and cape of St. Stephen, King of Hungary, before they were returned in 1978.
Currently, it holds 4,175 tonnes of gold, equivalent to nearly half of China’s gold reserves and four times the Swiss central bank’s reserves.
| Reserves | Gold (Tonnes) |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 U.S. Reserves | 8,133 |
| 🏛️ Fort Knox | 4,175 |
| 🇨🇳 China | 2,280 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 846 |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 1,040 |
| 🇮🇳 India | 876 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 104 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 220 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 130 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | 120 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 235 |
Only small samples have been removed for purity testing during audits; no major transfers have occurred for years.
Gold Bar Specifications
- Size: 7 inches × 3 5/8 inches × 1 3/4 inches
- Weight: 400 ounces (27.5 pounds)
Extreme Security
Only a select few know the full security procedures, and no single person knows how to fully open the vault.
In 1974, a group of journalists and a Congressional delegation were allowed inside—marking the first official visit since Fort Knox’s creation. Previously, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only person other than authorized personnel to access the vaults.
In 2017, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, and several Congressional representatives became the second group to visit the vault.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
If gold was shared equally, how much would you get? Check out this graphic to find out.
Real Assets
Charted: Top Suppliers of Aluminum and Steel to the U.S.
President Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports.
Charted: Top U.S. Suppliers of Aluminum and Steel
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, marking one of the most discussed measures of his first month back in the White House.
But which countries are most affected by these tariffs?
This map illustrates the top suppliers of aluminum and steel to the United States in 2024. The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau. Aluminum includes unwrought aluminum, plates, sheets, and strips; bars, rods, and profiles; foil; wire; pipes and tubes; castings and forgings; and tube or pipe fittings.
Canada: The Largest Partner
Canada is by far the top supplier of both steel and aluminum to the United States. The neighboring country exported $9.4 billion worth of aluminum to the U.S. in 2024, significantly ahead of the second-largest exporter, the European Union, which exported $1.5 billion.
Canada also exported $7.1 billion worth of steel last year, compared to $7 billion from the European Union.
| Country | Steel Imports (USD) | Aluminum Imports (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $7.1B | $9.4B |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $3.5B | $397M |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $3.0B | - |
| 🇨🇳 China | $799M | $809M |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | $1.3B | - |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $2.9B | $781M |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $1.9B | $318M |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $1.7B | - |
| 🇮🇳 India | $489M | $445M |
| 🇪🇺 European Union | $7B | $1.5B |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | - | $917M |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | - | $535M |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | - | $468M |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | - | $271M |
| 🇬🇧 UK | $440M | - |
Mexico, South Korea, and Brazil are also among the top suppliers of steel to the United States. Meanwhile, the country imports aluminum from other key partners, including China, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Bahrain, and Argentina.
A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that the U.S. produces less than 2% of the world’s primary aluminum.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed this graphic, be sure to check out this chart illustrating the GDP impact of Trump’s tariffs on China.
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