Natural Gas Inventories Build –

Natural gas inventories rose 11 billion cubic feet to 2.380 trillion cubic feet.  The increase in natural gas inventories was the first of the year and was driven by warmer than normal winter weather.  The rise in inventories sent natural gas prices lower at most major markets.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/22/markets-natgas-spot-idUSL1E8EM87W20120322

Jim Sutliff

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

Crude Oil Rises On Iran –

Crude oil spent most of the day in a trading range of $105 to $108 a barrel.  The rise in crude oil prices and trading volatility came after oil exports from Iran were estimated to have dropped 300,000 barrels a day.  The weaker U.S. Dollar also sent prices higher in Friday trading.

To read a related Fox Business article, please click here:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2012/03/23/oil-prices-rise-sharply-on-drop-in-iranian-exports/

James Sutliff

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

Treasury Prices Fall –

Treasury prices fell on Monday and yields hit new highs for 2012.  Ten year Treasury yields rose .08% in trading and  extended gains from the previous week.  A recent Federal Reserve policy statement indicated an improved economic outlook.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304636404577291321094850602.html?mod=WSJ_Markets_LEFTTopStories

Jim Sutliff

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

Gold Continues Decline –

Gold continued to slide and fell to the lowest level since January 25th.  Traders weighed Federal Reserve statements on the economy and gold fell almost 2 percent.  Gold traded near $1,670 an ounce and continued to decline in electronic trading.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-13/gold-advances-with-equities-before-federal-reserve-meeting-greek-bailout.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Economic News, Federal Reserve, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Metals, Options & Futures, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

Crude Settles Higher –

Crude oil settled over $107 a barrel which is the highest level since March 1st.  Crude oil prices were supported by positive jobs data that may be a sign of economic growth.  However, warmer weather may weigh on crude prices in the coming weeks.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204603004577271291163661170.html?

Jim Sutliff

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

Euro Falls –

The Euro fell to almost $1.31 after indications that the economy for the Euro region contracted.  The Australian and Canadien dollars both declined against the U.S. Dollar.  In addition, the Norwegian Krone dropped 1.6 percent to 5.706.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-05/euro-remains-lower-against-yen-before-europe-gdp-report-u-s-jobs-data.html

James Sutliff

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

Negative Yield Treasury Auctions –

The U.S. Treasury may start to offer negative yield auctions.  The safety and security of U.S. Treasuries have already led to them being traded at negative yields on secondary markets.  According to Reuters, the one month Treasury bill traded on a secondary market at a negative yield in December.  The Treasury Departments systems would have to be modified to handle the trading of Treasuries at a premium.

To read a related Fox Business article, please click here:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/investing/2012/02/01/treasury-may-let-investors-pay-to-hold-us-debt/

Jim Sutliff

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

Gold & Silver Rally –

Gold hit a three month high rising $13.50 and settled at $1,788.40 an ounce.  Silver also rallied to settle at $37.14 an ounce which was an increase of 4.6%.  In addition, copper and platinum  increased with copper rising .8% to $3.91 a pound and platinum gaining 2.1%.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204653604577251543849341380.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

James Sutliff

Posted in Currency, Economic News, Euro, General, Investments, Metals, Trading | Leave a comment

Germany Votes For Greek Bailout –

Germany voted to support a second Greek bailout of approximately $174 billion.  The Finland parliament is expected to vote on the Greek bailout this week.  Also, European leaders will discuss the Euro zone bailout fund at their next meeting in Brussels on March 1st and 2nd.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-27/merkel-rebuffs-bigger-euro-firewall-as-she-backs-financial-aid-for-greece.html

Jim Sutliff

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

Crude Oil Almost Hits $110 –

Crude oil almost hit $110 in Friday trading and settled at $109.77 a barrel.  This is the highest level that oil has traded at in the last 9 months.   The conflict with Iran is the driving force behind higher trading prices.  Iran is the second largest oil producing nation in OPEC with an output of 3.5 million barrels a day.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203918304577243120332014742.html?KEYWORDS=crude+oil

James Sutliff

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

Natural Gas Inventory Declines –

The Energy Information Administration indicated that natural gas inventories declined by 166 billion cubic feet.  The decrease was greater than analysts had expected and more than the 102 billion cubic feet decline last year.  Prices remained low due to mild winter weather and high inventory levels.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/23/markets-natgas-spot-idUSL2E8DNDHW20120223

Jim Sutliff

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

Gold Rises On Greek Bailout –

Gold prices rose to over $1,755 an ounce after European Union finance ministers agreed to another Greek bailout.  The second Greek bailout provided by the Euro zone is approximately $172 billion.  In Tuesday trading, gold hit the highest mark since February 3rd.  Silver also traded higher and rose to $34.13 an ounce.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/21/us-markets-precious-idUSTRE80T1QZ20120221

James Sutliff

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

Tensions Send Oil Higher –

Crude oil traded at a 9 month high as tensions increased with Iran cutting supplies to companies from the U.K. and France.  In addition, traders weighed the economic gains of a second Greek bailout.  Crude Oil rose to $105 a barrel which is the highest mark since May 5th.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-20/oil-rises-to-nine-month-high-on-iran-export-halt-europe-bailout-meeting.html

Jim Sutliff

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

Natural Gas Futures End Lower –

Natural gas continued to slide with March futures falling almost 2% to $2.431.  Mild winter weather forecasts lowered expectations of heating demand for the next week.  In addition, natural gas supplies have remained well above average levels.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204795304577220950935275494.html

James Sutliff

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

Natural Gas Supplies Decline –

According to the Energy Information Administration, natural gas supplies fell 78 billion cubic feet last week.  The decline was less than the 84 to 88 billion cubic feet decrease that analysts had expected.  Current inventory levels are almost 33% higher than the five year moving average.

To read a related CBS Moneywatch article, please click here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57373935/us-natural-gas-supplies-fell-last-week/

Jim Sutliff

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