Category Archives: Political News

European Union Offers New Greek Aid Plan –

Posted on 21. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

European leaders announced $229 billion of additional aid for Greece.  They also gave their $440 billion Euro rescue fund the ability to  purchase debt from Euro nations under pressure in the markets.  The leaders hope that the plan will prevent the debt … Continue reading →

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Debt Plan Sends Dow Higher –

Posted on 19. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

A possible agreement to raise the debt ceiling sent the Dow higher in aftenoon trading.  The Dow Jones gained over 200 points after Obama gave his approval for a debt agreement between  Republican and Democratic Senators.  The news also sent Gold prices … Continue reading →

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Debt Ceiling Talks Continue –

Posted on 16. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Debt ceiling talks between Republican and Democratic leaders continued on Saturday.  There has not been an agreement on terms to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling.  The debt ceiling must be raised by August 2nd or the U.S. would fall into default and financial … Continue reading →

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Republicans May Agree To Raise Debt Ceiling –

Posted on 3. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Republicans may agree to a short term deal to raise the debt ceiling.  According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the debt ceiling has to be raised by August 2nd to meet current obligations.  The current debt ceiling is $14.3 Trillion and negotiations will … Continue reading →

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Dow Industrials Rise –

Posted on 17. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose almost fifty points and finished slightly above 12,000.  This was the first weekly gain for the Dow after having six losing weeks.  Investors were optimistic that Greece would receive a bailout and that sent the Dow … 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

Exxon Mobil (XOM) Lands Drilling Permit –

Posted on 22. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Exxon Mobil landed a deep-water drilling permit in the Gulf of Mexico.  The permit  will allow Exxon to drill in the Keathley Canyon Block 240 miles off the coast of Louisiana.  The Bureau  of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement started to … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Infrastructure, Investments, Oil, Options & Futures, Political News, Regulatory, 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 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

Turmoil Sends Oil Soaring –

Posted on 22. February 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Reuters reports that Libya has declared a Force Majeure on some oil shipments.  A force majeure would clear companies of some contractual obligations due to events beyond their control.  Specific details relating to the force majeure declaration are unclear and … Continue reading →

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

Congress Passes Tax Cuts –

Posted on 17. December 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Congress passed the bill to extend the Bush era tax cuts for another two years.  The bill also includes estate tax provisions that increase exemptions and address gift tax and generation skipping tax issues.  Today, the House voted 277-148 in support of the bill … Continue reading →

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Republican Stock Market?

Posted on 4. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The sweeping victories by the Republicans may serve to keep the bulls running in the market.  The House is now solidly controlled by the Republicans and Democratic control of the Senate has been watered down a great deal.  Democrats in … Continue reading →

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Democrat, Economic News, General, Hedge Funds, Investments, Political News, Private Equity, Regulatory, Republican, Stocks, Tax, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Stock Market Rises –

Posted on 2. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 74 points on the day with investors focused on the election and the Federal Reserve.  The expectation that Republicans will make gains in both the House and Senate are part of the reason … Continue reading →

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Market Waits For Election –

Posted on 30. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The stock market slowed down at the end of the week as many investors wait for the election results.  Tuesday could bring a split Congress or Republican control of both houses.  Currently, Republicans are expected to win more than the … Continue reading →

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Estate Tax Prepayment –

Posted on 27. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Senator Maria Cantwell has proposed a plan that would allow taxpayers to prepay estate taxes.  The Democratic Senator is expected to have some level of support for the plan from Republicans and fellow Democrats.  The prepayment proposal would create an … Continue reading →

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