Stock Market Slammed –

Posted on 4. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones fell more than 500 points on Thursday and has fallen 8 of the last 9 trading days.  The 500 point drop is the worst one day decline since December 2008.  Almost 15 stocks fell for every stock that rose on the New York Stock Exchange.  Kraft was the only advancing stock in the Dow after the company announced that it would split into two companies.   

To read a related Marketwatch article, please click here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-fall-hard-as-economy-weighs-2011-08-04?dist=markets

James Sutliff

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

Manufacturing Slows –

Posted on 1. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

According to the Institute for Supply Management, national factory activity fell to the lowest level since July 2009.  The index came in at 50.9 which was four points lower than economists had expected.  The report sent stocks lower and the Dow Jones was down more than 100 points in mid-day trading.

To read a related Reuters article, please clcik here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/01/us-usa-economy-idUSTRE7662I420110801

Jim Sutliff

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

Dollar Hits Record Lows –

Posted on 26. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

 The U.S. Dollar continued to decline against all major currencies and hit record lows in trading.  The uncertainty surrounding debt negotiations between Republicans and Democrats are leading traders to sell the Dollar.  In afternoon trading the U.S. Dollar/ Euro exchange went above $1.45.  In addition, the stock market lost some ground.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-26/asia-stocks-gain-u-s-futures-oil-fall-before-obama-speech-on-debt-limit.html

James Sutliff

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

Still No Debt Deal –

Posted on 24. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

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 in early 2012.  Financial markets have started to react with the Dollar falling against the Euro, gold rising, and stock futures falling more than one percent.    

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/24/us-usa-debt-idUSTRE7646S620110724

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Democrat, Economic News, General, Investments, Political News, Regulatory, Republican, Stocks, Tax, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

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 crisis from spreading to Spain and Italy.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-21/euro-area-leaders-may-accept-greek-default.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Euro, General, Investments, Political News, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

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 lower by over $15 an ounce.

To read a related CNN Money article, please click here:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/19/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?iid=Popular

Jim Sutliff

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

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 markets may react negatively.  

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/16/us-usa-debt-idUSTRE7646S620110716

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Democrat, Economic News, General, Investments, Political News, Republican, Stocks, Treasury | Leave a comment

Stocks Rise On Possible Stimulus –

Posted on 12. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks rebounded after minutes from the Federal Reserve meeting indicated that a possible stimulus could be on the way.  The two day drop was the worst for the Dow Jones  since March.  European stocks declined for a third straight day due to continued debt concerns.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-12/u-s-stock-index-futures-slump-on-italy-debt-crisis-concern-alcoa-plunges.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Economic News, Federal Reserve, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Stocks, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

Currency Trading –

Posted on 9. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The biggest financial market in the world is Forex with $4 trillion traded daily.  Retail trading is steadily increasing with daily trading volume over $300 billion.  A recent Wall Street Journal article discusses the basics of FX trading and the reasons for the rise in trading volume.  

To read the Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304665904576384111852016334.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Currency, Education, General, Investments, Options & Futures, Trading | Leave a comment

Gold Soars –

Posted on 6. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Gold hit a two week high in trading and closed at $1,529.20 an ounce.  September silver also rallied to close at almost $36 an ounce.  The debt crisis in Europe and the debt concerns in the U.S. are reasons for the rise in gold prices.  The usual trend for Gold prices is that they tend to soften in trading from July to September. 

To read a related MarketWatch article, please click here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-futures-extend-gains-in-electronic-trading-2011-07-06?dist=afterbell

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Economic News, General, Metals, Options & Futures, Trading | Leave a comment

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 through the July 4th weekend.  Democrats have called for tax increases to close the budget deficit and Republicans are attempting to cut spending.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-03/republicans-may-accept-mini-debt-ceiling-deal-cornyn-says.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Bonds, Democrat, Economic News, General, Political News, Regulatory, Republican, Treasury | Leave a comment

Dow Jones Posts Strong Gains –

Posted on 1. July 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones Industrials gained almost 170 points and capped the best week of trading in two years.  The gain was a great start for july and the fifth straight day of gains for the Dow Jones.  Although trading volume was light, the gains were broad based with five stocks rising for every stock that declined.  Investor confidence increased after the release of strong manufacturing data.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/01/us-markets-stocks-idUSTRE75512M20110701

Jim Sutliff

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

Stocks Rebound –

Posted on 27. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks rebounded in trading on Monday and finished up almost 110 points on the day.  Microsoft and Bank of America were two of the market movers that helped to drive the rebound.  Microsoft increased 90 cents on the possibility that Windows 8 would be released earlier than expected. 

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304314404576411240904896406.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

James Sutliff

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

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 the sovereign debt crisis.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/24/us-deals-idUSTRE75N00V20110624

Jim Sutliff

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

Economic Growth Forecast Lowered –

Posted on 22. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil fell to $94 a barrel after the Federal Reserve lowered the economic growth forecast.  Crude oil inventories also fell 1.71 million barrels which was slightly less than analysts had expected.  The Energy Department also released figures that showed a drop in gasoline inventory by 464,000 barrels.  Gasoline had been expected to increase by 1 million barrels.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-22/crude-declines-after-federal-reserve-lowers-u-s-economic-growth-forecast.html

James Sutliff

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