Author Archives: Jim Sutliff

U.S. Bond Yields –

Posted on 3. February 2013 by Jim Sutliff

A recent MSN Money article discusses rising U.S. bond yields and the economic recovery.  An increase in bond yields may influence the housing market as well as investments in the public sector.  Recently, ten year Treasuries rose above the 2% mark hitting 2.04% … Continue reading →

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Crude Oil Inventory Levels Rise In Cushing –

Posted on 4. January 2013 by Jim Sutliff

According to the Energy Information Administration, inventories of crude oil fell 11. 1 million barrels.  The decline was partly due to year end tax concerns in the refining industry.  However, crude oil inventories rose significantly in Cushing Oklahoma which is major storage … Continue reading →

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

Fiscal Cliff –

Posted on 1. December 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Republicans and Democrats are still far apart in negotiations to avoid the fiscal cliff.  Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Republican John Boehner are involved in the negotiation process.  There are only 31 days left until January 1st. To read a related Fox News … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Democrat, Economic News, General, Investments, Political News, Republican | Leave a comment

Gold Below $1,700 –

Posted on 4. November 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Gold has fallen below $1,700 an ounce which is well off the 52 week high.  Gold was trading near the $1,800 an ounce mark as recently as early October.  Also, crude oil is slightly below $85 a barrel. To visit the Bloomberg … Continue reading →

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

U.S. Manufacturing Expands –

Posted on 1. October 2012 by Jim Sutliff

According to the Institute for Supply Management, the national factory activity index rose 1.9 to 51.5 in September.  This marked the first expansion of U.S. manufacturing since May.  New orders and employment also increased in September. To read a related MSN Money … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Economic News, General, Infrastructure, Investments | Leave a comment

Manufacturing Data Sends Crude Oil Lower –

Posted on 4. September 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil futures for October declined $1.17 after data from the Institute for Supply Management.  The purchasing managers index fell to 49.6 which is the lowest the index has been since July 2009.  A weak global economy has also contributed to … Continue reading →

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Natural Gas Trades Lower –

Posted on 16. August 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Natural gas traded lower on Thursday and settled at $2.724.  Mild weather forecasts and high inventory levels contributed to the decline.  Earlier, the Energy Information Administration indicated that natural gas storage increased 20 billion cubic feet last week.  Analysts had expected an increase … Continue reading →

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Natural Gas Futures Decline –

Posted on 3. August 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Natural gas futures declined in trading on Friday and closed below $3 per million British thermal unit.  Rising supplies and a moderate weather forecast worked to drive prices lower in trading.  On Thursday, the Energy Information Administration indicated that gas … Continue reading →

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Import Prices Fall –

Posted on 15. July 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Import prices in June fell by the most since December 2008.  The drop in import prices was the sixth decline in the last seven months.  Import prices were driven lower by a drop in the cost of imported oil. To read … Continue reading →

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Euro & Oil Rise –

Posted on 9. July 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The Euro climbed in trading on Monday and rebounded from lows reached on Friday.  The rally may be brief and the Euro could come under more pressure before the end of the summer.  Oil also rose on Monday with Brent crude … Continue reading →

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

Treasury Yields Shift On EU Agreement –

Posted on 2. July 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Treasury yields rose on the recent European Union agreement for Spain and Italy.  Treasury yields were trading late last week at slightly under 1.65%.  However, Treasury yields may reverse in the near term as investors evaluate economic conditions in the … Continue reading →

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Pending Home Sales Index Rises –

Posted on 27. June 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The National Association of Realtors Pending Home Sales Index rose to 101.1 in May.  The 5.9% increase in May moved the index to a two year high.  The two year high was also reached in March and previously in April 2010. … Continue reading →

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Brent Crude Rises –

Posted on 26. June 2012 by Jim Sutliff

A strike by Norwegian oil workers helped to drive Brent crude higher on Tuesday.  Brent crude rose over $2 a barrel in London trading and settled over $93 a barrel.  U.S. crude oil was only slightly higher in trading.  The strike has … Continue reading →

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Euro Debt Crisis Drives Crude Oil Lower –

Posted on 25. June 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The European debt crisis continued to weigh on crude oil prices in Monday trading.  Crude oil prices fell below $79 ahead of a two day meeting of European Union leaders.  Oil also fell as Tropical Storm Debby showed signs of weakening.  Oil … Continue reading →

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

OPEC Holds Output Steady –

Posted on 15. June 2012 by Jim Sutliff

OPEC has announced that the production ceiling will remain unchanged at 30 million barrels a day.  OPEC output for the month of May was above the production ceiling at 31.75 million barrels a day.  Global economic growth concerns were a contributing factor … Continue reading →

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