Oil Stays Above $40 –

Posted on 8. December 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Oil remained above $40 a barrel today but that might not last long.  Some analysts have predicted a decline for oil down to $25 a barrel.  Metals have also been propped up but some analysts think that is due to intervention by the Chinese government in an attempt to secure resources.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/72921592-c518-11dd-b516-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1″

Jim Sutliff

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Investments, Metals, Oil, Options & Futures, Political News, Trading | Leave a comment

Hedge Funds Lower Fees –

Posted on 3. December 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Hedge funds are starting to face reality when it comes to charging fees.  Hedge funds are starting to lower fees and attempting to lock-in investors money for a longer time period.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aV5d_zNyBLfM&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

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

Harvard Dumps Equity Shares –

Posted on 29. November 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Harvard, Columbia and Duke are beating down values as they try to dump their shares in private equity funds.  Harvard has one of the largest endowments at over $36 billion and their secondary sales may overwhelm the small market segment.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/newspid=20601109&sid=azBqn85_aRXE&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

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

Downey Financial Seized –

Posted on 22. November 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Downey Financial has been seized as well as two smaller banks.  The FDIC brokered a deal that allowed U.S. Bancorp to acquire Downey.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/newspid=20601087&sid=aAyVj8SZ7Y0I&refer=home

James Sutliff

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

Credit Scores –

Posted on 16. November 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Credit scores are more important than ever for personal loans.  The need for financing extends beyond the business community.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/newspid=20601214&sid=aiqk5pwd36ts&refer=invest

Jim Sutliff

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

Stock Market Swings –

Posted on 13. November 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The stock market has displayed wide swings over the last two weeks and today is not any different.  Currently, the market is almost even on the day after rebounding from being down over 300 points.

 To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=axv.0kImG4MQ&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

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

Mushroom Energy –

Posted on 7. November 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Chinese mushrooms may prove to be an asset in the search for new energy sources.  Renewable energy is an investment segment that is expected to continue to surge. 

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=az5PYSl7vUE4

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Alternative Energy, General, Investments | Leave a comment

Obama Market Crash –

Posted on 5. November 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The markets posted the biggest post-election drop ever today.  It’s really more of an Obama centered crash than other economic factors.  The increased capital gains tax and other Obama proposals are likely to cause many to flee the market before december 31st of this year.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aj_ayFUP0riQ&refer=home

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Economic News, Hedge Funds, Investments, Political News, Private Equity, Real Estate, Regulatory, Stocks, Venture Capital | Leave a comment

Crude Oil Up 10% –

Posted on 29. October 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil shot up almost 10% today as the central bank cut rates.  This is expected to have the effect of increasing demand for oil.  Opec is also expected to cut production at the next meeting.

To view a related article, please click here:

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

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Economic News, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Oil, OPEC, Options & Futures, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Natural Gas: Ready For A Run –

Posted on 20. October 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Natural Gas prices declined slightly because investors have moved towards crude oil.  Opec has grabbed the attention of traders by indicating that a cut in production is likely at the next meeting.  Natural Gas should still show gains with winter on the way.  Not only does the midwest rely heavily on Natural Gas but the northeastern states have many homes that recently converted due to high oil prices.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601072&sid=ah8JQE.O73ho&refer=energy

Jim Sutliff

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

Crude Bounces –

Posted on 17. October 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil prices have been in free fall mode since the economic crisis has taken center stage.  This may end as OPEC is poised to cut production next week in an attempt to prop up prices.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=adyI2lis0T38&refer=home

James Sutliff

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

Lehman Brothers Private Equity –

Posted on 11. October 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Lehman Brothers Private Equity showed almost a 3% drop in net asset value for the third quarter.  LBPE assets are separate from their bankrupt parent.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200810090446DOWJONESDJONLINE000376_FORTUNE5.htm

Jim Sutliff

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

Natural Gas Declines –

Posted on 7. October 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Natural Gas declined after reports indicated that supplies were increasing and that demand would continue to decline.  At the same time crude oil had a slight increase due to OPEC members asking for a cut in production.  The likely result will be more natural gas use in winter because of the conversions from heating oil which have already taken place.  Even with a slow economy there could still be a spike in natural gas prices.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601072&sid=a5E8QlcWbzso&refer=energy

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Investments, Natural Gas, OPEC, Options & Futures | Leave a comment

Dollar May Get Crushed –

Posted on 22. September 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The $700 billion dollar bailout may end up crushing the dollar.  The dollar has already taken a pounding over the last year and can expect more decreases in the near future.  The bailout will have the effect of weakening the dollar as well as pushing up the cost of oil.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=ayxSXoXWgC_4&refer=home

James Sutliff

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

Commodity Investors Pull Funds –

Posted on 10. September 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Commodity investors pulled more than $39 million dollars out of the market since July.  This has helped to send oil into a free fall to almost $100 dollars a barrel.  Oil prices have caused investigators to watch the market more closely and this may have been a factor in the sell off.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ax6CtUUtg4EI&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

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