Author Archives: Jim Sutliff

Barclays Private Equity MBO –

Posted on 24. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Reuters reports that Barclays Private Equity will spin out through an MBO over the summer.  Barclays is also reported as targeting it’s first independent fund at 1.5 to 2 billion Euros.  Regulatory pressures may also be at work in the decision to spin … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Investments, Private Equity, Regulatory, Stocks, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Crude & Dollar Correlation –

Posted on 20. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The correlation between the U.S. Dollar and Crude oil is at minus 0.94 and that is the lowest level in three months.  Some crude oil investors are looking for the safety of the U.S. Dollar and are moving their investment … Continue reading →

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Gold Rush –

Posted on 18. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Gold keeps climbing to new highs and that has brought more attention to the commodity.  Reuters has coverage of Gold and Gold backed ETFs which is a good resource for investors.  Bullion is up over 12% this year and has … Continue reading →

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Euro Breakup –

Posted on 16. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Concerns over sovereign debt and a breakup of the Euro continue to plague banks in Europe.  It has been reported that rates on commercial debt are also rising as a result of the crisis. To read a related Bloomberg article, … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Investments, Regulatory | Leave a comment

LNG Cargoes Head To Europe –

Posted on 13. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Natural Gas prices have been in decline and that is having an effect on shipments of LNG.  Bloomberg reports that LNG tankers are heading to Europe as prices in America slump.  Every weekly inventory report seems to be showing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic News, Investments, Natural Gas, Options & Futures | Leave a comment

Pound Rises –

Posted on 11. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Pound gained in trading today after Conservative leader David Cameron was appointed the new Prime Minister.  Gordon Brown’s resignation cleared the way for the first Conservative administration since 1997. To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here; http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a_8N8kLTYvzE&pos=2 … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Currency, Investments, Options & Futures, Political News | Leave a comment

Credit Default Swaps Fall –

Posted on 10. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The attempt by the EU to slow the sovereign debt crisis is working at the current time.  The EU has agreed on an aid package that is almost $1 Trillion dollars and that level of support has caused default swaps … Continue reading →

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EU Prepares Fund –

Posted on 9. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The European Union is preparing a $645 billion dollar fund to prevent the sovereign debt crisis from spreading.  A Bloomberg article quoted a Sedish official as describing the markets as having a “wolfpack behavior”.  The need for the EU to … Continue reading →

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Stocks & Bonds Tumble –

Posted on 6. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks and corporate bonds tumbled today as concerns over the European debt situation increased with investors.  The market fell almost 1,000 points before rebounding and that was the biggest intraday drop since 1987.  Investors moved towards Treasuries which is considered … Continue reading →

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Crude Oil & Gasoline Fall –

Posted on 5. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The EIA released inventory numbers today that sent prices falling for Gasoline and Crude.  Crude Oil fell below $80 with reports of a build in supplies of 2.8 million barrels.   Analysts had only expected a rise of 1.54 million barrels … Continue reading →

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

Euro Declines –

Posted on 4. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Euro declined as concern over the spreading of the debt crisis increases with investors.  Spain and Portugal are becoming the center of attention as possible nations that may need a bailout.  The Euro fell below $1.30 and hit the … Continue reading →

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Cape Cod Wind Farm –

Posted on 3. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The U.S. approved a wind farm not that far from Cape Cod.  The wind farm will be the first in American waters and will be a $1 billion dollar project.  Some environmentalists and home owners tried to block the project but … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Energy, Investments, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Economist: Big Mac Index –

Posted on 30. April 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Economist magazine has a Big Mac Index that is worth examining.  The index illustrates how the Yuan is an undervalued currency and is artificially weak.  What would Friday be like without a good chart? To read the Economist Big Mac … Continue reading →

Posted in Currency, Economic News, Investments | Leave a comment

Crude Inventory & Futures Gain –

Posted on 28. April 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Crude inventories rose more that 2 million barrels and that figure is more than double analyst expectations.  Nevertheless, Crude futures are still rising and some of the gains can be attributed to seasonal activity.  Refiners also increased capacity to 89% … Continue reading →

Posted in Gasoline, Investments, Oil, Options & Futures | Leave a comment

Oil Contango Soars –

Posted on 26. April 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The storage costs for oil are soaring and are currently at the highest level in nearly four months.  Inventories are at a near record high and the premium for future delivery is around the same cost as storage.  The rising … Continue reading →

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