Real Story: Energizing Session

Action in the energy sector was the focus of Thursday's Real Story podcast.

The recent spike in crude oil prices "is all about geopolitics," Chris Edmonds, managing principal at Energy Research & Capital Partners and a RealMoney.com contributor, says on the podcast, hosted by TheStreet.com's Editor-at-Large Aaron Task. "History suggests Iran will ultimately back down, but some risk premium is here to stay because of the overall tensions" in the Gulf.

It isn't getting as much attention as the standoff with Iran over the seized British sailors, but Saudi King Abdullah's harsh characterization of American troops in Iraq as an "illegitimate foreign occupation" is also adding to the tensions, Task adds.

"And don't let Nigeria sneak up on you," Edmonds cautions, noting that rebels are threatening to disrupt that oil-producing nation's elections in April.

Edmonds and Task also discussed the day's corporate news in the space, including the warning by Nabors Industries (NBR Quote) and U.S. Steel's (X Quote) bid for Lone Star Technology (LSS Quote), which soared 36.5%.

Task's second guest, Stephen Porpora, head NYSE floor trader for William O'Neil & Co., says his firm is "counseling defense" to its clients, citing the "confluence of influences" that are contributing to market volatility, oil certainly included. (The entire interview with Porpora can be seen here on TheStreet.com TV.)

In the remainder of the podcast, Task address the day's other corporate news, including the news after the bell from Dell (DELL Quote), and the fallout from RF Micro Devices' (RFMD Quote) warning and CarMax's (KMX Quote) earnings.

Click here to listen to the entire podcast.