Author Archives: Jim Sutliff

Crude Oil Falls Below $83 –

Crude oil fell and hit an eight month low in trading on Wednesday.  Crude oil settled at $82.62 a barrel after the Energy Information Administration indicated that crude oil fell 200,000 barrels last week.  In addition, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will meet … Continue reading

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Stocks Advance –

The Dow Jones Industrial Average came out of the gate strong and gained almost 100 points before pulling back in Monday morning trading.  Traders viewed European support for Spain banks positively and European markets were also higher.  Elections in Greece … Continue reading

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Treasury Yields Drop –

Treasury Yields finished the week lower on Thursday as well as Friday.  Yields for the ten year Treasury fell below 1.50% by the end of the week.  Investors shifted to the safety of US Treasuries as concerns grew regarding the European debt crisis.  Yields for German … Continue reading

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Euro Declines –

The Euro declined more than 2% this week and traded below $1.25 on Friday.  The last time that the Euro traded at this level was July 2010.  Elections will be held in Greece on June 17th and the results are likely to have an impact on … Continue reading

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Oil Closes Below $92 –

Crude oil fell in Tuesday trading to $91.66 a barrel.  Recent elections in Europe and the possibility of a recession in the Euro zone are driving down prices.  Gasoline prices were almost unchanged in trading. To read a related MSN article, … Continue reading

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Natural Gas Inventory Rises –

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 … Continue reading

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Yield Falls On Ten Year TIPS –

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%. … Continue reading

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Euro Trades Lower –

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 … Continue reading

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Elections May Rattle Currency Markets –

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 … Continue reading

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Manufacturing Data Sends Oil Higher –

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 … Continue reading

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Spain Credit Ratings Lowered –

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 … Continue reading

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Treasury Prices Fall –

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 … Continue reading

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Oil Inventories Rise 7.1 Million Barrels –

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 … Continue reading

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Natural Gas Inventories Build –

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 … Continue reading

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Treasury Prices Fall –

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 … Continue reading

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