BusinessWeek reports that a dozen real estate investment trusts are likely to increase their next dividend.  Overall, the industry raised $33 billion dollars last year and may be making a comeback in the minds of investors.  Dividends are a major draw for investors in this segment.
To read a related BusinessWeek article, please click here:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-15/u-s-reits-poised-to-boost-dividends-after-raising-33-billion.html

Natural Gas inventories came in lower than analysts had expected.  The drop had little effect on prices which remained down for the trading day.  Warmer than normal temperatures are predicted for the week ahead as are slight production increases.  These factors played a role in price declines which may continue for the months ahead. 
To read [...]

Standard & Poor’s cut the credit rating for the state of California.  The new rating is A- on $64 billion of general obligation bonds.  California has had a fiscal crisis for an extended time which is starting to have an effect on their bonds.
To read a related article in Bloomberg, please click here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aeEiJ2Fz4dfk&pos=5
 
Jim Sutliff