Author Archives: Jim Sutliff

Stocks Rise –

Posted on 25. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 50 points on Friday in light trading volume.  Corporate earnings helped to fuel the market as well as government data which indicated that GDP grew faster at the end of the year.  IBM and Chevron were market movers … Continue reading →

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

Nasdaq Bid For NYSE –

Posted on 14. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Reports indicate that Nasdaq is close to making a bid for the New York Stock Exchange.  Nasdaq may require financing of $5 billion in new debt for the transaction.  The deal would make Nasdaq the leader in trading of U.S. stocks and could face antitrust … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Economic News, General, Infrastructure, Investments, Options & Futures, Political News, Regulatory, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Crude Oil Inventory Report –

Posted on 9. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Despite a rise in inventory, crude oil is still trading in the $105 range.  The Department of Energy released their weekly inventory report that showed crude inventories rising 2.5 million barrels.  The increase was larger than analysts had expected and adds to … Continue reading →

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

Crude Oil To $200?

Posted on 8. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Bloomberg Chart Of The Day looks at oil prices and outstanding $200 call options.  The article discusses the recent events in the middle east that are spiking interest in crude oil call options.  The number of $200 contracts are at … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Political News, Trading | Leave a comment

Crude Oil Ends Lower –

Posted on 24. February 2011 by Jim Sutliff

 Crude oil reversed an upward trend in the final hours of trading on Thursday.  Crude oil had topped the $100 mark but ended up lower on the day finishing down almost $2 dollars.  News relating to a Saudi Arabian aid … Continue reading →

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

Gasoline Prices Hit New High –

Posted on 11. February 2011 by Jim Sutliff

 Gasoline prices hit an all-time high for this time of year at $3.127 per gallon.  The price is 50 cents higher than last year at this time and 6 percent higher than in 2008.  In 2008, gasoline prices went on … Continue reading →

Posted in Gasoline, General, Investments | Leave a comment

Dow Rises Again –

Posted on 8. February 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones hit a 2 1/2 year high after posting a gain for the 7th straight  day.  The Dow increased 71.52 to settle at 12, 233.15.  This level hasn’t been seen since June 16th, 2008.  The consumer sector helped to drive the … Continue reading →

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

Private Equity Activity –

Posted on 3. February 2011 by Jim Sutliff

According to a private equity trade group, private equity activity significantly increased in 2010.  There was an increase in investments, exits, and deal volume.  The Private Equity Growth Capital Council announced that the index was above the 10 year moving average … Continue reading →

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

Natural Gas Producers Short Positions –

Posted on 23. January 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Producers of natural gas increased their net short positions by almost 10% in the seven day period ending January 18th.  The increase in futures and options positions by producers can be an indication that producers expect falling prices in the near term.  Near … Continue reading →

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CFTC Proposes Trading Regulations –

Posted on 13. January 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has proposed new position limits to curb speculation.  The goal is to help prevent spikes in fuel and agricultural commodities.  If approved the plan would cover 28 different commodities.  The proposal is expected to face opposition from market … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, General, Investments, Metals, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Regulatory, Trading | Leave a comment

Top Mutual Fund Managers –

Posted on 11. January 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Smart Money has an article that ranks the top mutual fund managers in four different categories.  The categories covered in the article are Foreign Stock Funds, U.S. Large-Cap Funds, Global Real Estate Funds, and U.S. Small-Cap Funds.  A winner and two … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, General, Investments, Mutual Funds, Stocks | Leave a comment

Private Deals Attract SEC –

Posted on 5. January 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Recent deals have caused the Securities and Exchange Commission to examine disclosure rules.  One rule requires companies with 500 or more shareholders of record to publicly disclose financial information.  Special-purpose vehicles like the one constructed in the Facebook deal are likely … Continue reading →

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

Gold Rush –

Posted on 28. December 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Gold broke the $1,400 mark in light trading on Tuesday.  The Gold rally took place in spite of an interest rate increase by China.  The rate hike was only 25 basis points but it could signal further increases in the near future.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Currency, Interest Rates, Investments, Metals | Leave a comment

OPEC Maintains Output –

Posted on 11. December 2010 by Jim Sutliff

After meeting in Ecuador, OPEC announced that it is maintaining current production levels at slighlty less than 25 million barrels a day.  OPEC is comprised of 12 members and they account for almost 40% of the oil production in the world.  A … Continue reading →

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

Fuel Inventories Rise –

Posted on 8. December 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The rise of gasoline inventory and distillate stocks  are driving the price of crude lower in trading.  Gasoline inventories increased 3.8 million barrels and distillates rose 2.2 million barrels.  Crude inventories fell 3.8 million barrels last week but that was mainly … Continue reading →

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