I don't think you understand what speculation is. Most investors are individuals, and those who invest in oil commodites do so sparingly because it is a high risk investment. Oil companies do not my buy oil shares on the commodities market. Oil commodities only result in profit if the daily price on a barrel of oil happens to be higher than it was when they bought it. There are no dividends like stocks, and their value has nothing to do with oil company profits or sales, or the price of gasoline. It is stricly worth the daily marekt value price of a barrel of oil. I think you are confusing oil commodities i.e. "speculators" with the purchase of oil comapny stocks, which have always been cosnidered a blue chip stock. Yes, they are low risk, and have a very modest and conservative return.
You are completely missing this or something. And you seem intelligent enough for me to give it one more try at getting my point across, So here goes. The profits are gained by the false inflation of gas prices by the speculation of crude Just as in the past by intentional low production. and anything else (IE. Storm of the century, Scheduled maintenance, Platform worker stubbed his toe) that can be construed to justify inflating gas prices.
The dividends and other earnings are gained directly by the oil companies (not through the commodities "CRUDE" itself) by the obvious increase in fuel not to mention any spread or from already purchased inventory, then you have earnings and profits on other markets IE. flat out earnings stocks, dividends, bonuses, payed and whatever in the oil companies or oil industry related IE Halliburton, drilling companies equipment companies ect.
Thanks for explaining commodities though / for those who might brave those waters. That is best left for the most seasoned investors). HA HA!
So regardless whether or not these Speculative investments come to fruition later. If they do that is just more butter on their bread, The gains from that inflated market have already been realized. and if the speculations come up short Enough bears rally against them to keep them in check then those losses in the speculation end still have been easily offset by those gains previously explained.
Can't make it any more clearer than this. And this fish is no longer biting...