Category Archives: Regulatory

Crude Oil Inventory Levels Rise In Cushing –

According to the Energy Information Administration, inventories of crude oil fell 11. 1 million barrels.  The decline was partly due to year end tax concerns in the refining industry.  However, crude oil inventories rose significantly in Cushing Oklahoma which is major storage … Continue reading

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Germany Votes For Greek Bailout –

Germany voted to support a second Greek bailout of approximately $174 billion.  The Finland parliament is expected to vote on the Greek bailout this week.  Also, European leaders will discuss the Euro zone bailout fund at their next meeting in … Continue reading

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Energy Department Lowers Marcellus Shale Estimate –

The U.S. Department of Energy lowered their estimate of natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale.  The previous estimate of 410 trillion cubic feet has been adjusted to 141 trillion cubic feet.  Energy Department estimates are based on reserves that can … Continue reading

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Federal Reserve To Release Forecasts –

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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Bernanke Meets With Republican Senators –

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

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Euro Trades Lower –

 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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Smaller Euro Zone –

The Euro zone debt crisis continues to spread and yields on Italian debt broke the 7% mark today.  As a result, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell almost 400 points in trading on Wednesday.  Speculation of a smaller Euro zone with deeper … Continue reading

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Economic News Sends Gold Higher –

Gold broke the $1,760 an ounce mark in trading this week.  The precious metal rose on the possibility of slower domestic economic growth and another round of monetary stimulus.  Recently, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated that additional monetary stimulus may be … Continue reading

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Money Market Fund Regulations –

In a recent speech, former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker discussed regulatory control of money market funds  and the role of the government in the mortgage market.  Capital requirements and deposit insurance protection are two of the measures mentioned in the … Continue reading

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Dollar Falls Against Yen –

The Dollar fell in trading to a low of 75.76 Japanese Yen.  The Dollar also lost ground to the British Pound and the Euro.  Light trading volumes and the weekend meeting of European Union leaders contributed to the shift in currency allocations. To read a … Continue reading

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European Rescue Fund May Increase –

The European Financial Stability Facility may be increased to $2 trillion Euros.  The potential increase sent the Euro higher in morning trading.  Currencies that fell slightly in trading are the yen, Dollar, and Swiss Franc. To read a related Bloomberg article, … Continue reading

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IMF Plan Opposed –

The United States opposed a plan to almost double the size of the International Monetary Fund.  Currently, the fund has $380 billion in resources.  Shareholders opposed to the plan included Japan, China, Germany, Canada, and Australia. To read a related Reuters article, … Continue reading

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Stocks & Oil Tumble –

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 600 points in trading on Monday.  The downgrade of U.S. debt and concerns for the global economy continued to drive the market lower throughout the day.  Crude oil also fell in trading and finished … Continue reading

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U.S. Debt Downgraded –

Standard and Poor’s lowered the U.S. credit rating to AA+ and also attached a negative outlook.  The U.S. has held a triple A credit rating for 70 years and the downgrade is likely to have a negative effect on the financial markets.  … Continue reading

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Still No Debt Deal –

The weekend is coming to a close and there is no agreement on raising the debt ceiling.  Republican and Democratic negotiators have discussed short and long term debt ceiling increases.  Republicans prefer a short term increase that would require Obama to request more funding … Continue reading

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