Alternative Investments Review

Oil Rises & Natural Gas Slides –

Posted on 22. August 2009 by Jim Sutliff

Oil prices almost touched $75 a barrel the other day and may continue to rise. The expected decline in the dollar could contribute to future increases in oil prices. The recovery in Europe may also weaken the dollar relative to the Euro. At the same time natural gas prices have slid to $2.80. The state of the American economy is partially responsible for low natural gas prices. Increased discoveries of natural gas will also help to contain long term price increases.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12400801/ns/business-oil_and_energy/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Alternative Energy, Currency, Economic News, Gasoline, Investments, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Horn River Basin Discovery –

Posted on 30. July 2009 by Jim Sutliff

The discovery in the Horn River Basin may prove to be a game changer for long term natural gas prices. Natural gas was expected to make slow price gains due to high supplies but this may completely change the price structure. The massive find could bring very low prices in the near term but a choppy price outlook down the road as smaller players are forced to leave a market that requires very high economies of scale.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124716768350519225

Jim Sutliff

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

Oil Rises Again –

Posted on 20. June 2009 by Jim Sutliff

Oil prices continue to climb and moved past the $70 dollar mark last week. The growing Asian economies are one of the reasons for the recent increase in prices. However, the market seems to be adequately supplied with crude oil.

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

http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/16/news/economy/oil_on_rise_again.fortune/index.htm

James Sutliff

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

Chinese Natural Gas Demand To Increase –

Posted on 14. May 2009 by Jim Sutliff

Market demand for natural gas in China is expected to increase to 110 billion cubic meters by 2010. Currently, China relies on imports for most of their natural gas requirements. China is expected to increase domestic exploration in the near future.

To read a recent article, please click here:

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=76162

James Sutliff

Posted in Economic News, Natural Gas, Political News, Regulatory | Leave a comment

IEA Expects Crude To Fall –

Posted on 23. April 2009 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil fell to as low as $51.29 a barrel after the International Energy Agency predicted a decline in oil demand. The Interantional Energy Agency expects a decline of 2.5 million barrels a day. Crude oil has increased 15% in 2009.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=atnl3dbartbw&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

Posted in General, Infrastructure, Investments, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Regulatory, Trading | Leave a comment

Natural Gas Shortage –

Posted on 17. March 2009 by Jim Sutliff

Natural Gas production is slowing as 45% has been shut down since September. The decrease in prices coupled with an economic slowdown are the main causes of the shut down. This sets up a possible spike in prices in the second half of the year.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aP7N7ZkaXSAw 

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Economic News, Natural Gas | Leave a comment

Rig Zone –

Posted on 8. March 2009 by Jim Sutliff

The RigZone provides important insight and data on the oil and gas industry. It has news, events, and even a job board.

To check out the site, please click here:

www.RigZone.com

James Sutliff

Posted in Gasoline, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Political News | Leave a comment

Financial Times –

Posted on 2. February 2009 by Jim Sutliff

The Financial Times is a great source of information for economic news. The world news coverage is outstanding and currency related matters are addressed. There are only a few newspapers with a strong circulation that incorporate geopolitical effects in their columns and the Financial Times is one of them.

To visit the Financial Times site, please click here:

http://www.ft.com/home/us

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Alternative Energy, Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Education, Gasoline, Hedge Funds, Investments, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Political News, Private Equity, Real Estate, Regulatory, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Yen Shows Strong Gains –

Posted on 19. January 2009 by Jim Sutliff

The Yen made strong gains against the Pound Sterling as traders speculated on credit markets. The recent gains put the Yen at near record levels vs. the Pound.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=apXO1MNpvvX8&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Currency, General, Investments, Trading | Leave a comment

Muni Bonds Slow –

Posted on 1. January 2009 by Jim Sutliff

Sales of Municipal bonds dipped in 2008 are expected to decline more in 2009. This comes at a bad time for states who face a $42 billion dollar deficit. States like California are expecting to have their bond ratings downgraded.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aE_Syu_H1HRM&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

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

Valero Cuts Refining –

Posted on 19. December 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Valero has cut refinery activity due to fog slowing their shipments of crude. The plant processes 325,000 barrels a day and may have to halt production for a longer time period if shipment delays continue. Crude oil has fallen to almost $35 dollars and some analysts have predicted an additional $10 dollar decline. Sustained low prices are not likely once the production cuts from OPEC will start to have an effect.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601072&sid=aYdDDpR8Sq9o&refer=energy

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Earnings, Gasoline, General, Investments, Oil, OPEC | Leave a comment

Dollar Falls –

Posted on 17. December 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The U.S. dollar fell to a 13 year low against the Yen and also slipped versus the Euro. The Dollar is under pressure and the rate cuts will continue to weaken the currency. Jim Rogers has recently stated that selling the Dollar is a good move since the recent increase in value would only be temporary.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=abwg61QvtrXw

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Currency, Economic News, Euro, Federal Reserve, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Trading | Leave a comment

Rate Cut Expected –

Posted on 16. December 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The Fed is expected to cut rates by one half point today. This action is being done to combat deflation in the overall economy.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081216/ts_alt_afp/useconomybankrate

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Federal Reserve, Interest Rates | Leave a comment