Author Archives: Jim Sutliff

Mergers & Acquisitions Decline –

Posted on 24. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Mergers and acquisitions declined in the second quarter and marked the first time in over a year that deal volume dropped in two straight quarters.  Two reasons for the drop in M & A activity are weak global economies and … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Economic News, General, Hedge Funds, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Stocks Move Higher –

Posted on 21. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks moved higher on Tuesday with investors showing confidence that Greece will support their Prime Minister.  The Dow topped 12,200 for part of the trading day but still finished up over 100 points.  Also, the Dollar fell against major currencies like the … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Currency, Earnings, Economic News, General, Investments, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Pandora IPO Raises $234.9 Million –

Posted on 14. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Pandora Media raised $234.9 million in an initial public offering and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol P.  Investor demand led Pandora to increase the size of the offering by 43% last week.  Pandora sold 14.7 … Continue reading →

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Municipal Bond Tax Exempt Proposals –

Posted on 6. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Municipal bonds are facing proposals that would eliminate their tax exempt status.  Republican Paul Ryan submitted a budget proposal that was aimed at lowering the deficit but also would end municpal bond tax exemption.  It is not likely that municipal bonds will lose … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Democrat, Economic News, General, Infrastructure, Interest Rates, Investments, Political News, Republican, Tax, Trading | Leave a comment

Natural Gas Inventory Level Rises –

Posted on 27. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Natural gas dropped 12 cents in trading after an Energy Department report indicated that supplies increased more than expected last week.  Analysts expected an increase of 90 to 94 billion cubic feet and actual inventories grew 105 billion cubic feet.  Inventories are slightly below … Continue reading →

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

Oil Rises On Inventory Report –

Posted on 19. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil rose above $100 a barrel after an Energy Department report indicated that supplies remained flat.  Analysts had expected a rise in crude oil inventory by 500,000 – 700,000 barrels.  Also, gasoline inventories rose 100,000 barrels which fell short of the nearly … Continue reading →

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

Treasuries Fall –

Posted on 14. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Treasuries ended a five week winning streak and fell on economic data and a rise in commodities.  Yields remained low this week with the sale of $72 billion in notes and bonds.  Also, inflation concerns are easing and investors are seeking higher returns than … Continue reading →

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Greece Debt Crisis –

Posted on 7. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Greece has denied reports that they may be leaving the European Union.  Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has stated that the scenario hasn’t been discussed.  The Greek economy has been a focus of EU officials and it remains in a deep recession.  … Continue reading →

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

Investors Crave Corporate Bonds –

Posted on 22. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Low interest rates are increasing investor demand for corporate bonds.  High-yield and investment grade corporate bond issuance both showed a significant increase in the first quarter of 2011.  High-yield bond issuance jumped 36% internationally and 29% domestically.  Investment grade figures were … Continue reading →

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Glencore Valuation –

Posted on 17. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Glencore is expected to sell a 15% to 20% stake with an estimated value of $9 to 11 billion.  Reuters reports that Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse have released valuations that place Glencore at $52.5 to $69.2 billion.  The Reuters article … Continue reading →

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Crude Oil Tumbles –

Posted on 12. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil tumbled for a second straight day falling to $106 dollars a barrel.  Crude oil has fallen almost $7 dollars in two days over economic growth concerns.  Oil related stocks also fell in trading but may rebound after earnings … Continue reading →

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Oil Rallies –

Posted on 8. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil continued to rally and reached a 30 month high at nearly $113 dollars a barrel.  Crude rose with other commodities like gold and tin which also reached trading highs on Friday.  Investors shifted holdings to commodities as speculation grew that … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Gasoline, Interest Rates, Investments, Metals, Oil, Options & Futures, Regulatory, Trading | Leave a comment

Private Equity Transparency –

Posted on 4. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Transparency in Private Equity firms has always been a concern for investors.  New leadership at three major private equity firms are attempting to address the concerns and change of image of the private equity sector.  The three private equity houses are Blackstone, PAI Partners, … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Hedge Funds, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Regulatory, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Stocks Rise On Data –

Posted on 1. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks finished the week with gains after the release of positive employment and manufacturing data.  The market had just completed the best first quarter since 1998.  The market gained in spite of oil rising to the highest level since September 2008. To read a … Continue reading →

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Crude Oil Supplies Rise –

Posted on 30. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil supplies rose 2.95 million barrels and gasoline inventories dropped 2.7 million barrels.  Distillate stocks rose slightly with refinery activity preparing to shift to gasoline for the summer driving season.  Crude oil fell in light trading volume as a result of the energy … Continue reading →

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