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 39 seats that are required for control of the House.  The Senate is expected to be very close with Democrats holding 48 to 52 seats.  A 50-50 Senate would have Vice President Joseph Biden being the tie breaker.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-30/most-u-s-stocks-retreat-as-investors-await-fed-gongressional-elections.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Democrat, General, Investments, Options & Futures, Political News, Republican | Leave a comment

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 increase in near term federal tax revenue as well as estate planning activity.

To read a related Nasdaq article, please click here:

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201002041712dowjonesdjonline000620&title=estate-tax-prepayment-option-eyed-to-break-logjam-in-senate

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Economic News, Education, General, Political News, Regulatory, Tax | Leave a comment

Negative Treasury Yields –

Posted on 25. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Five year Treasury Inflation Protected Securities were sold at a negative yield.  The sale of $10 billion of the securities marked the first time that Treasuries were sold with a negative yield.  Inflation linked debt is the only type that could be sold at a negative yield.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-25/treasury-draws-negative-yield-for-first-time-during-10-billion-tips-sale.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Investments | Leave a comment

Solar Outlook –

Posted on 20. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

VentureBeat has an article that discusses the outlook for the solar power sector in America.  The article provides funding statistics, public support numbers, and current production figures.  A comparison with Germany is mentioned to highlight the success that subsidies have had in the German solar market. 

To read the VentureBeat article, please click here:

http://venturebeat.com/2010/10/20/new-reports-say-american-solar-outlook-is-bright-but-germany-still-dominates/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Alternative Energy, Banking, General, Infrastructure, Investments, Private Equity, Regulatory, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Natural Gas Bounces Back –

Posted on 19. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Natural gas bounced back a little and settled up 8.2 cents for the trading day.  Natural gas is near a 13 month low and that helped to spark interest that it may be oversold.  Weather forecasts for cooler temps in late October also fueled speculation that natural gas could climb in the next few weeks.  Large supplies and easy production increases will work against natural gas prices in the near term.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20101019-714565.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Alternative Energy, General, Investments, Natural Gas, Options & Futures | Leave a comment

VC Funding Falls –

Posted on 15. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Venture Capital funding fell 7.3%  in third quarter from a year earlier.  According to a report from the National Venture Capital Association and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, firms invested $4.82 billion in the quarter.  Clean technology saw the steepest decline falling 32% from the same quarter in the previous year.  However, clean energy still received $625.2 million in funding.  The largest financing round was $106 million for Trilliant Inc. which makes software and equipment for smart grid energy networks.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-15/venture-capital-funding-drops-as-clean-energy-startups-attract-less-money.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Alternative Energy, Banking, General, Investments, Private Equity, Regulatory, Tax, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

AOL & Yahoo! –

Posted on 13. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

AOL is considering making an offer for Yahoo! along with a number of private equity firms.  The interest in Yahoo! makes the firm appear to be up for grabs in a potential bidding war.  The recent departure of some senior executives at Yahoo! is another sign that the firm is in trouble. 

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703673604575550661101743360.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, General, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Stocks | Leave a comment

Currency War –

Posted on 9. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The International Monetary Fund has been asked by financial leaders to play a larger role in currency valuations.  Currency intervention is necessary to avoid nations from using their currency as a financial weapon.  Emerging markets are the main culprits when it comes to artificial devaluations of currency.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-09/finance-leaders-call-for-imf-role-in-averting-protectionist-currency-war-.html

Jim Sutliff

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

Relief Rally?

Posted on 3. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

CNN Money has an article on the recent rally in the stock market.  One analyst described the September market surge as a relief rally.  The market had built in low expectations and any economic data that didn’t point towards a double dip recession was extremely well received by the market.  October may be a different story for stocks with political uncertainty and a wobbly economy making headlines.

To read the CNN Money article, please click here:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/03/markets/stocks_lookahead/index.htm

James Sutliff

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

3i Group Plc –

Posted on 30. September 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Private equity firm 3i Group Plc has seen an increase in new deal activity.  Total investments for the firm jumped 65% for the year.  The firm also made a move towards the asset management business with a deal for Mizuho Investment Management. 

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE68S1II20100930

Jim Sutliff

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

Market Data –

Posted on 27. September 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The next two weeks of economic data could lead to significant movement in the markets.  The GDP consensus will be released on Thursday and personal income statistics and manufacturing numbers will be released on Friday.  The Dow Jones started the week off with an almost 50 point drop.

To visit the Wall Street Journal Market Data, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3063-economicCalendar.html?mod=mdc_h_cmgrel

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704654004575517503898068436.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Gasoline, General, Investments, Metals, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Stocks | Leave a comment

Oil Declines On Refinery Ops –

Posted on 21. September 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil dropped $1.69 due to an expected decline in refinery activity.  Refineries are expected to run at a lower capacity rate which will have the effect of increasing the supply of crude.  Currently, petroleum supplies are almost at a 20 year high.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-21/crude-oil-futures-decline-on-forecast-of-drop-in-u-s-refinery-operations.html

James Sutliff

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

LBO Wire –

Posted on 17. September 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones LBO Wire provides news and information on buyouts, deals, and the industry.  The e-newsletter is written daily and is a great source of information.  A recent article discusses the Blackstone Group and their fundraising efforts.

To visit the LBO Wire, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-15/nadal-next-challenges-federer-in-endorsements-after-career-grand-slam-win.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Economic News, General, Hedge Funds, Infrastructure, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Real Estate, Regulatory, Stocks, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

EU Derivative Restrictions –

Posted on 15. September 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The European Union has established restrictions on naked short selling of shares and government bonds.  In an attempt to lower counterparty risk, frequent traders would have to own the underlying security that they are selling short.  An outright ban on short selling has not been put in place at this time.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-15/naked-short-sellers-derivatives-traders-face-european-union-restrictions.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, General, Investments, Options & Futures, Regulatory, Stocks | Leave a comment

Investing In Private Companies –

Posted on 11. September 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Smart Money has an excellent article on investing in private companies.  Some of the advantages and possible pitfalls are discussed in the article.  Investment vechicles mentioned in the article are venture capital and private equity funds, and angel investing groups.

To read the Smart Money article, please click here:

http://www.smartmoney.com/investing/stocks/how-to-invest-in-a-private-company/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, General, Hedge Funds, Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Stocks, Venture Capital | Leave a comment