Category Archives: Economic News

Crude Oil Supplies Rise –

Posted on 12. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, crude oil supplies rose by 5 million barrels last week.  In addition, gasoline inventories rose 3.6 million barrels and distillates increased by 4 million barrels.  All of the inventory increases were well above … Continue reading →

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Oil Rises On Economic Growth Outlook –

Posted on 10. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil rose to $103.41 during afternoon trading and settled at $102. 24 a barrel.  An improved outlook for US economic growth also sent the stock market to a five month high.  In addition, tensions in Iran and Nigeria raised supply concerns … Continue reading →

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Natural Gas Edges Up –

Posted on 8. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

Natural gas rose slightly at the end of the week and closed at $3.062.  Forecasts of colder weather countered inventory reports which had sent natural gas prices lower.  Colder weather is expected in the Northeast for January 16th through the 20th.    Warmer than normal … Continue reading →

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Euro Trades Lower –

Posted on 6. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The European debt crisis has forced the Euro lower in trading over the last few months.  Recent weeks have shown a steeper decline as recessionary concerns mounted and the debt crisis remained unresolved.  The Euro fell below $1.27 in Friday trading before … Continue reading →

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Federal Reserve To Release Forecasts –

Posted on 4. January 2012 by Jim Sutliff

The Federal Reserve has announced that they will release their forecasts for the Federal funds rate.  The move will increase transparency at the Federal Reserve at may help with financial planning for businesses and investors.  Monetary policy expectations should be released at the … Continue reading →

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Crude Oil Settles Over $101 –

Posted on 27. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil continued to climb and settled over $101 a barrel.  Geopolitical forces pushed crude higher as traders returned on Tuesday.  Supply reports may weigh heavily on trading activity in the next few weeks.  Warmer than normal temperatures in the northeast could increase supplies and send crude … Continue reading →

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Economic Data Drives Oil Higher –

Posted on 20. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Economic data sent oil prices higher in trading on Tuesday.  Housing starts and building permits rose and data from Europe looked strong.  Also, supplies of crude oil fell 4.6 million barrels last week which was higher than analyst expectations. To read … Continue reading →

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Fitch May Downgrade France –

Posted on 16. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Fitch Ratings indicated that they may downgrade the sovereign debt of seven European nations.  France is one of the European nations facing a downgrade from Fitch.  The six other nations are Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain. To read a related … Continue reading →

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Bernanke Meets With Republican Senators –

Posted on 14. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke met with Republican Senators to discuss the European Union sovereign debt crisis.  According to GOP Senators, Bernanke indicated that the European debt crisis could significantly impact the American economy.  The Euro fell below $1.30 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Democrat, Economic News, Euro, Federal Reserve, General, Infrastructure, Interest Rates, Investments, Political News, Regulatory, Republican, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

Euro Trades Lower –

Posted on 12. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

 The Euro fell on news that Moody’s is considering a downgrade of European Union sovereign debt.  The inability to end the debt crisis is one factor in the Moody’s decision.  In currency trading, the Euro fell to $1.3184 which is the lowest mark … Continue reading →

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Eurozone Leaders Reach Agreement –

Posted on 10. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

European leaders reached an agreement on centralized fiscal policy.  The agreement is supported by all 17 euro zone countries as well as the 9 countries seeking to join the union.  England did not approve the fiscal plan.  Stock markets reacted positively … Continue reading →

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Asia Markets Fall; Gold Rises –

Posted on 8. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stock markets across Asia fell with Japan’s Nikkei dropping 1.6% and Korea’s Kospi Composite falling 1.9%.  New Zealand and Australian markets were also lower in trading.  European debt crisis concerns were the driving force in the markets.  The Euro fell to $1.3345 … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Euro, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Options & Futures, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Data Sends Crude Oil Lower –

Posted on 1. December 2011 by Jim Sutliff

European and Chinese manufacturing numbers came in weak and that helped to send crude oil lower.  Crude oil settled at slightly higher than $100 dollars a barrel on Thursday.  This is the first time since February 2009 that Chinese manufacturing has … Continue reading →

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Crude Oil Rises On Retail Sales –

Posted on 28. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Thanksgiving weekend sales rose and crude oil prices followed in trading on Monday.  Crude oil futures broke the $100 dollar mark and hit their highest level since November 17th.  On the supply side, Libyan output increased to over 750,000 barrels a … Continue reading →

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Federal Reserve QE3 –

Posted on 26. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Federal Reserve may provide another round of quantitative easing.  The breakdown of the budget negotiations between Republicans and Democrats are one factor that could lead to QE3.  Quantitative easing may lower long term interest rates and help with the recovery of the housing … Continue reading →

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