Crude Oil Falls On Inventory Data –

Posted on 4. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil fell after an Energy Department report indicated that inventories rose 3.42 million barrels.  The increase puts crude oil inventories at their highest levels since last October.  A Bloomberg survey of analysts had predicted a rise in crude inventories of 2 million barrels.  The survey had also expected a rise in gasoline inventories of 500,000 barrels.  Gasoline inventories declined 1.05 million barrels even as gasoline consumption fell 8.94 million barrels last week.   

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-04/crude-oil-declines-a-third-day-in-new-york-after-u-s-inventories-increase.html

James Sutliff

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

Exxon Mobil Profit Soars –

Posted on 1. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Exxon Mobil reported earnings on Thursday that indicated a very strong first quarter.  Exxon earnings beat analyst expectations and were $2.14 per share.  Exxon quarterly profit was almost $11 billion which is up from the $6.3 billion the company posted for the first quarter last year.  Trading activity was high for Exxon Mobil (XOM) at the end of last week.

To read a related MarketWatch article, please click here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-shares-shrug-off-criticism-as-profits-swell-2011-04-29

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Earnings, Gasoline, General, Investments, Oil, Options & Futures, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Another Big Blue Buyback –

Posted on 28. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

IBM announced that it is increasing their stock buyback plan by $8 billion dollars.  This increases the total stock buyback program to $12.7 billion with additional increases likely to be approved in October.  IBM also raised their quarterly dividend to 75 cents which is an increase of 15%.  IBM went up to $168.70 a share after the announcements.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/26/us-ibm-idUSTRE73P41N20110426

James Sutliff

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

Investors Crave Corporate Bonds –

Posted on 22. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Low interest rates are increasing investor demand for corporate bonds.  High-yield and investment grade corporate bond issuance both showed a significant increase in the first quarter of 2011.  High-yield bond issuance jumped 36% internationally and 29% domestically.  Investment grade figures were 14% and 19% for the quarter.  Standard & Poor’s indicated that expected default rates will fall to 1.6%. 

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

http://www.smartmoney.com/investing/bonds/new-corporate-bonds-feed-investor-frenzy-1303423914177/

Jim Sutliff

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

IBM Earnings Beat Estimates –

Posted on 19. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

IBM released their corporate earnings after the close of the market and the numbers beat analysts expectations.  The first quarter operating profit and revenue both exceeded estimates and sales increased by 7.7%.  IBM also increased their forecast for operating profits.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-19/ibm-boosts-2011-profit-forecast-beating-analysts-estimates-shares-jump.html

James Sutliff

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

Glencore Valuation –

Posted on 17. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Glencore is expected to sell a 15% to 20% stake with an estimated value of $9 to 11 billion.  Reuters reports that Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse have released valuations that place Glencore at $52.5 to $69.2 billion.  The Reuters article also released additional information about the valuations. 

To read the Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/16/us-glencore-valuation-idUSTRE73F20U20110416

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, General, Hedge Funds, Investments, Private Equity, Stocks, Trading, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Earnings Lift Dow –

Posted on 14. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished slightly higher on the day because of corporate earnings reports.  High expectations for earnings reports helped to reverse an earlier downward trend for the Dow.  The market moving earnings reports will be announced after the closing bell.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704116404576262404179874160.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

James Sutliff

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

Crude Oil Tumbles –

Posted on 12. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil tumbled for a second straight day falling to $106 dollars a barrel.  Crude oil has fallen almost $7 dollars in two days over economic growth concerns.  Oil related stocks also fell in trading but may rebound after earnings reports are released later in the month.

To read a related MarketWatch article, please click here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-close-lower-as-oil-prices-sink-alcoa-leads-fall-2011-04-12

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Oil Rallies –

Posted on 8. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil continued to rally and reached a 30 month high at nearly $113 dollars a barrel.  Crude rose with other commodities like gold and tin which also reached trading highs on Friday.  Investors shifted holdings to commodities as speculation grew that the Federal Reserve would raise rates at a slower pace than other central banks.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-08/asia-stocks-gain-yen-weakens-as-oil-trades-above-110-a-barrel-won-rises.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Gasoline, Interest Rates, Investments, Metals, Oil, Options & Futures, Regulatory, Trading | Leave a comment

Oil And Gold Rise –

Posted on 7. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Oil hit 2 1/2 year highs in afternoon trading and fueled concerns regarding inflation.  Crude oil is putting pressure on the $110 dollar a barrel mark and some analysts are predicting $150 oil before the end of the year.  The inflationary pressure has sent gold to new highs hitting $1,461.91 an ounce.  Gold is considered a safe haven as global currencies face increasing pressure.

To read a related CNBC article, please click here:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/42454041

Jim Sutliff

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

Private Equity Transparency –

Posted on 4. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Transparency in Private Equity firms has always been a concern for investors.  New leadership at three major private equity firms are attempting to address the concerns and change of image of the private equity sector.  The three private equity houses are Blackstone, PAI Partners, and 3i Group.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/03/us-mergers-summit-privateequity-leadersh-idUSTRE7322VK20110403

James Sutliff

Posted in General, Hedge Funds, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Regulatory, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Stocks Rise On Data –

Posted on 1. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks finished the week with gains after the release of positive employment and manufacturing data.  The market had just completed the best first quarter since 1998.  The market gained in spite of oil rising to the highest level since September 2008.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-01/yen-weakens-oil-climbs-to-30-month-high-on-recovery-signs-stocks-decline.html

Jim Sutliff

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

Crude Oil Supplies Rise –

Posted on 30. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil supplies rose 2.95 million barrels and gasoline inventories dropped 2.7 million barrels.  Distillate stocks rose slightly with refinery activity preparing to shift to gasoline for the summer driving season.  Crude oil fell in light trading volume as a result of the energy report.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/us-markets-oil-idUSTRE72D01W20110330

James Sutliff

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

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 on Friday with each gaining 1.3%.

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

http://www.smartmoney.com/investing/stocks/market-update-friday-mar-25-2011-26921/

Jim Sutliff

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

Crude Oil Inventories Rise –

Posted on 23. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil inventories rose by 2.1 million barrels to 352.8 million barrels which is the highest level since last November.  Supplies of gasoline fell 5.3 million barrels and inventories of distillates were unchanged.  In addition, refinery utilization rates and demand for gasoline increased last week.

To read a related Seeking Alpha article, please click here:

http://seekingalpha.com/article/259802-crude-inventories-at-5-month-high

James Sutliff

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