I remember my last semester in college in the spring of 2005 when oil was incredibly high at $60 a barrel. It seemed like every market analyst was freaking out. Today, oil is over $120 a barrel. With oil and other commodities getting loads of attention on CNBC and other market news resources, the question is and will continue to be for most investors: Should I invest in oil or have I already missed the run?

When looking at specific companies to invest in, there are many factors to consider and research. These factors can be internal characteristics of the company such as management, product line, and growth strategy. There are also external or macroeconomic factors that can impact a stock performance.
While it is important to understand the macroeconomic picture related to the company you are invested in, it is important to note that well run companies can outperform even in an environment that seems to work against the company. Conversely, some companies …