19. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Natural gas inventory exceeded analyst expectations and increased 61 billion cubic feet last week. The Energy Department indicated that natural gas inventory levels are at 2.667 trillion cubic feet. Inventory levels remain higher than the same time last year.
To read a related Businessweek article, please click here:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-05/D9UQLV900.htm
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Options & Futures, Trading, Oil, Natural Gas, General, Investments, Economic News | No Comments »
17. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
The yield on 10 year Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) fell into negative territory for only the third time in history. A recent U.S. government sale of $13 billion in 10 year TIPS sold at a negative yield of 0.391%. The safety of US Treasuries and the possibility of another round of quantitative easing drew investors. Yields rose for ten year bonds from Spain and Italy. Ten year yields for Spain touched 6.288% in trading and Italian yields rose to slightly over 5.8%.
To read a related Wall Street Journal, please click here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120517-711941.html
James Sutliff
Posted in Interest Rates, Trading, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Options & Futures, Investments, Bonds, Economic News, General, Banking | No Comments »
15. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
The Euro traded at $1.2752 which is the lowest mark since January 18th. The Euro has fallen in five of the last six trading sessions. Ten year yields on Italian and Spanish debt rose to 6% in trading. GDP in France remained flat and the Italian economy contracted .08%.
To read a related Fox Business article, please click here:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2012/05/15/euro-slides-to-four-month-low/
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Options & Futures, Trading, Euro, Investments, General, Currency, Economic News, Banking | No Comments »
7. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Elections in France and Greece may impact the Euro in the near term. France elected Francois Hollande of the Socialist party by a slim margin over President Nicholas Sarkozy. Hollande is not expected to support austerity measures. Hollande is the first Socialist President elected in France in 17 years. Francois Mitterand was the last Socialist President and he served from 1981-1995.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120507-705469.html
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Political News, Interest Rates, Euro, Investments, General, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Banking | No Comments »
1. May 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
According to the Institute of Supply Management, U.S. manufacturing for April increased the most in ten months. The data sent crude oil prices higher in trading on Tuesday. Crude oil prices rose above the 50 day moving average of $105.21 a barrel. Technical trading gave prices a slight increase and crude settled at $106.20 a barrel.
To read a related Fox Business article, please click here:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2012/05/01/ism-data-lift-oil-prices/
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Options & Futures, Trading, Earnings, Oil, Investments, Economic News, General, Banking | No Comments »
26. April 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Standard & Poor’s lowered the credit rating of Spain to BBB+ from A. The two notch downgrade is partially due to the risks associated with the government debt. In addition, Standard & Poor’s discusses concerns relating to budget projections and the banking sector. The ratings downgrade also mentions scenarios that could lower the ratings or improve the outlook.
To visit the Standard & Poor’s site, please click here:
http://www.standardandpoors.com/ratings/articles/en/us/?articleType=HTML&assetID=1245332673209
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Investments, Trading, General, Economic News, Bonds, Banking | No Comments »
3. April 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Federal Open Market Committee minutes indicated that a third round of quantitative easing may not happen in the near term. The Fed minutes sent Treasury prices lower and yields higher. Yields on the 10 year Treasury went to 2.28%.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
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29. March 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, crude oil inventories rose 7.1 million barrels. The inventory increase worked to drive crude oil prices lower in trading. The increase exceeded analyst expectations of a much lower 2.2 million barrel rise in inventory levels. Gasoline inventories went in the opposite direction and fell 3.5 million barrels. Analysts had expected a decrease of only 1.5 million barrels.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120328-711709.html
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Oil, Options & Futures, Trading, Investments, General, Economic News, Gasoline, Banking | No Comments »
25. March 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Natural gas inventories rose 11 billion cubic feet to 2.380 trillion cubic feet. The increase in natural gas inventories was the first of the year and was driven by warmer than normal winter weather. The rise in inventories sent natural gas prices lower at most major markets.
To read a related Reuters article, please click here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/22/markets-natgas-spot-idUSL1E8EM87W20120322
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Treasury, Options & Futures, Natural Gas, Investments, General | No Comments »
19. March 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Treasury prices fell on Monday and yields hit new highs for 2012. Ten year Treasury yields rose .08% in trading and extended gains from the previous week. A recent Federal Reserve policy statement indicated an improved economic outlook.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
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11. March 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Crude oil settled over $107 a barrel which is the highest level since March 1st. Crude oil prices were supported by positive jobs data that may be a sign of economic growth. However, warmer weather may weigh on crude prices in the coming weeks.
To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204603004577271291163661170.html?
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Options & Futures, Trading, Oil, Investments, General, Economic News | No Comments »
3. March 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
The U.S. Treasury may start to offer negative yield auctions. The safety and security of U.S. Treasuries have already led to them being traded at negative yields on secondary markets. According to Reuters, the one month Treasury bill traded on a secondary market at a negative yield in December. The Treasury Departments systems would have to be modified to handle the trading of Treasuries at a premium.
To read a related Fox Business article, please click here:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/investing/2012/02/01/treasury-may-let-investors-pay-to-hold-us-debt/
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Trading, Treasury, Interest Rates, General, Bonds, Economic News, Banking | No Comments »
27. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Germany voted to support a second Greek bailout of approximately $174 billion. The Finland parliament is expected to vote on the Greek bailout this week. Also, European leaders will discuss the Euro zone bailout fund at their next meeting in Brussels on March 1st and 2nd.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Regulatory, Interest Rates, Trading, Euro, Investments, General, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Banking | No Comments »
23. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
The Energy Information Administration indicated that natural gas inventories declined by 166 billion cubic feet. The decrease was greater than analysts had expected and more than the 102 billion cubic feet decline last year. Prices remained low due to mild winter weather and high inventory levels.
To read a related Reuters article, please click here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/23/markets-natgas-spot-idUSL2E8DNDHW20120223
Jim Sutliff
Posted in Trading, Options & Futures, Natural Gas, Investments, General | No Comments »
19. February 2012 by Jim Sutliff.
Crude oil traded at a 9 month high as tensions increased with Iran cutting supplies to companies from the U.K. and France. In addition, traders weighed the economic gains of a second Greek bailout. Crude Oil rose to $105 a barrel which is the highest mark since May 5th.
To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:
Jim Sutliff
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