Crude Returns 697% –

Posted on 15. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil returned a whopping 697% since trading at a little over $17 a barrel in 2001.  The return on crude investments surpassed the return on dot-coms at the height of their craze.

To read a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=au.c3bEf58NI&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Investments, Oil | Leave a comment

Saudis Increase Oil –

Posted on 14. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The Saudis are expected to increase oil production by a half a million barrels a day next month.  This increase will bring the Saudi production to around 10 million barrels a day.  More important than the increase is the signal of independence from OPEC by the Saudis.  Saudi Arabia is a key American ally and is likely to play a greater role in the middle east.

To read a recent article, please click here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080614/ts_afp/ussaudioil_080614031419

Jim Sutliff

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

Crude Aims At $140 –

Posted on 11. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Crude Oil supplies dropped 4.6 million barrels last week and the market reacted.  The price of crude ended $5 dollars higher and looks as though it wants to hit the important $140 mark.  Light trading will have an exaggerated effect on the price and many traders have not adequately adjusted for the volatility.  This marks the fourth consecutive week that supplies have fallen.

To read a recent article, please click here:

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/reuters/2008/06/11/2008-06-11T192335Z_01_SP230999_RTRIDST_0_MARKETS-OIL-UPDATE-9.html

Jim Sutliff

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

Missouri Gas Lowest In Nation –

Posted on 10. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

It has been mentioned that high gas prices are mainly due to taxes but Missouri highlights other factors.  The type of gas stations, taxes, and geography all play roles in lowering costs.  The arguments for a more broad infrastructure when it comes to refineries and pipelines are well supported by this logic.  Costs would greatly decreas if America had a wider distribution network of refineries and pipelines.

To read a recent article, please click here:

http://www.slate.com/id/2193222/?y=1

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Economic News, Gasoline, Investments, Natural Gas, Oil, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Private Equity Analyst Conference –

Posted on 8. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The Private Equity Analyst conference will be held at the Waldorf Astoria on September 16th and 17th.  If you are interested in attending the conference and register by July 18th you will save $400 on the registration fee.

To view the website, please click here:

http://peaconference.dowjones.com/

Jim Sutliff

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

Oil: Off To The Races –

Posted on 6. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Oil is yet again off to the races.  Crude oil surged more than $11 dollars today in relatively light trading.  Where the ride ends is anyone’s guess, $150? $170? $200?

To view the article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=adyH27ZuDN0k&refer=home

James Sutliff

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

Oil Rockets $5 On Possible Rate Hike –

Posted on 5. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The European Central Bank indicated that they may raise interest rates to fight inflation.  This triggered the rise of more than five dollars for crude oil today.  If the europeans hike interest rates it could signal another slide for the Dollar.

To view the article, please click here:

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

Jim Sutliff

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

What's Behind Oil Prices?

Posted on 3. June 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Knowledge@Wharton had an interview with finance professor Jeremy Siegal and management professor Witold Henisz.  One of the hot topics discussed was the price of oil and the factors behing the rise.  The transcript is posted at the link below.

To view the article, please click here:

http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/06/02/oil-inflation-debt-ent-fin-cx_kw_0602whartonoilprices.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Economic News, Investments, Oil | Leave a comment

CFTC Probe Continues –

Posted on 31. May 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is looking at the manipulation of the cotton futures market.  This development came after priced surged for reasons that were not clearly apparent.  The CTFC is also looking at the crude oil market for possible trading violations.  Crude oil investigations by the CTFC was reported earlier this week by the Wall Street Journal.

To view a related article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aXWd3e9NotH8&refer=home

James Sutliff

Posted in Investments, Options & Futures, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Crude Heads South –

Posted on 27. May 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil has fallen more trhan $2 dollars today due to a belief that there is lower demand in America.  The United States is the largest consumer of crude oil and higher prices could be taking a toll on the economy.  Also, the dollar rose against the Euro today which would have a depressing effect on oil prices.

To view the website, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=abtyaWL5toxQ&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

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

Oil Takes A Break –

Posted on 22. May 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Oil took a break today and retreated from an all-time high.  For quite some time we have felt that investors have been driving the rise in oil prices and that argument is catching on with analysts.  In an article by Mark Schenk, one analyst stated that institutional investors were partially responsible for the run-up in prices.  Also stated were that fundamentals justify $80 to $100 a barrel.

To view the article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aQgkq6OTn3q8

Jim Sutliff

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

Oil soars Again And Again –

Posted on 21. May 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Oil rallied again today breaking through the $134 dollar mark.  The rally was sparked by an inventory surprise that showed crude falling millions of barrels.  The market had expected a slight increase in supplies.  Much of this is still just speculation in the market coupled with new investment dollars looking for a home.

To view the article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/hotStocksNews/idUSSYD3274320080522

James Sutliff

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

Some Hedge Funds Have Trouble Ahead –

Posted on 20. May 2008 by Jim Sutliff

The increased number of defaults in Junk Bonds are causing a concern for some hedge funds.  The price of swaps has been soaring and that has a direct effect on some of the players involved.

To view the article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aCFGw7GYxY14&refer=home

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Bonds, Economic News, Hedge Funds, Investments | Leave a comment

Private Equity Source –

Posted on 18. May 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Dow Jones has a new database tracking the private equity segment.  Private Equity Source is expected to assist private equity firms, hedge funds, investment bankers and all related service providers.  Almost 8,000 private equity backed companies over the last 3 years will be covered by the data.

To view the article, please click here:

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1575935/

James Sutliff

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

Bush Heads To Saudi Arabia –

Posted on 16. May 2008 by Jim Sutliff

Pesident Bush is heading to Saudi Arabia and one of the main topics will be an increase in oil production by OPEC.  Saudi Arabia has the ability to increase OPECs production due to their percentage vote in OPEC.  Also, they could decide to increase production on their own since they do have additional capacity.

To view the article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL15723179

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Oil, OPEC, Options & Futures, Political News | Leave a comment