Monthly Archives: December 2011

Treasuries Fall –

Posted on 29. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Treasuries fell as prospects improved for the U.S. economy in 2012.  This marked the first decline for Treasuries in four days.  Ten year yields rose dlightly in trading to 1.91%.  Ten year yields fell to as low as 1.67% on September 23rd. … Continue reading →

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Crude Oil Settles Over $101 –

Posted on 27. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil continued to climb and settled over $101 a barrel.  Geopolitical forces pushed crude higher as traders returned on Tuesday.  Supply reports may weigh heavily on trading activity in the next few weeks.  Warmer than normal temperatures in the northeast could increase supplies and send crude … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic News, Gasoline, General, Investments, Oil, Options & Futures, Trading | Leave a comment

Oil Futures Rise –

Posted on 23. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Oil futures rose to their highest close since December 15th and settled at $99.68.  The increase capped a weekly gain of 6.6% for crude oil.  Positive economic data and tensions in Iran were two factors driving the price of crude higher. … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking | Leave a comment

Economic Data Drives Oil Higher –

Posted on 20. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Economic data sent oil prices higher in trading on Tuesday.  Housing starts and building permits rose and data from Europe looked strong.  Also, supplies of crude oil fell 4.6 million barrels last week which was higher than analyst expectations. To read … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Economic News, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Oil, Options & Futures, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Fitch May Downgrade France –

Posted on 16. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Fitch Ratings indicated that they may downgrade the sovereign debt of seven European nations.  France is one of the European nations facing a downgrade from Fitch.  The six other nations are Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain. To read a related … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Euro, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

Bernanke Meets With Republican Senators –

Posted on 14. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke met with Republican Senators to discuss the European Union sovereign debt crisis.  According to GOP Senators, Bernanke indicated that the European debt crisis could significantly impact the American economy.  The Euro fell below $1.30 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Democrat, Economic News, Euro, Federal Reserve, General, Infrastructure, Interest Rates, Investments, Political News, Regulatory, Republican, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

Euro Trades Lower –

Posted on 12. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

 The Euro fell on news that Moody’s is considering a downgrade of European Union sovereign debt.  The inability to end the debt crisis is one factor in the Moody’s decision.  In currency trading, the Euro fell to $1.3184 which is the lowest mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Euro, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Regulatory, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Eurozone Leaders Reach Agreement –

Posted on 10. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

European leaders reached an agreement on centralized fiscal policy.  The agreement is supported by all 17 euro zone countries as well as the 9 countries seeking to join the union.  England did not approve the fiscal plan.  Stock markets reacted positively … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Euro, General, Investments, Political News, Trading | Leave a comment

Asia Markets Fall; Gold Rises –

Posted on 8. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stock markets across Asia fell with Japan’s Nikkei dropping 1.6% and Korea’s Kospi Composite falling 1.9%.  New Zealand and Australian markets were also lower in trading.  European debt crisis concerns were the driving force in the markets.  The Euro fell to $1.3345 … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Euro, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Options & Futures, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Data Sends Crude Oil Lower –

Posted on 1. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

European and Chinese manufacturing numbers came in weak and that helped to send crude oil lower.  Crude oil settled at slightly higher than $100 dollars a barrel on Thursday.  This is the first time since February 2009 that Chinese manufacturing has … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Earnings, Economic News, Euro, Gasoline, General, Investments, Oil, Options & Futures, Trading | Leave a comment