GSCI Index Falls –

Posted on 23. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Commodities continued to drop and the Standard & Poor’s GSCI Index hit a 9 month low.  In afternoon trading, the GSCI Index fell to 594.12 which is the lowest level since early December 2009.  Metals were hit hard with silver, gold, copper, and nickel all falling.  Gold was trading below $1,700 an ounce and was down almost 5%.  Crude oil also declined and fell to $77.55 a barrel before rebounding to just under $80.  Global recessionary concerns are weighing on investors as well as the European debt crisis.   

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-23/commodities-poised-for-worst-week-in-4-months.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Economic News, Federal Reserve, Gasoline, General, Investments, Metals, Natural Gas, Oil, Options & Futures, Stocks, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

Federal Reserve Set To Purchase Debt –

Posted on 21. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Federal Reserve announced that it would sell $400 billion of short term debt and purchase longer term bonds with the funds.  In addition, the Federal Reserve stated that there were significant downside risks to the economic outlook.  The warning sent stocks lower with the S & P 500 closing down 3% for the trading day.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/21/us-usa-fed-idUSTRE78J3HB20110921

James Sutliff

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

Stocks Post Strong Week –

Posted on 16. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose for a fifth straight day and posted their longest winning streak since early July.  The Dow settled at slightly higher than 11,500 after climbing 75.91 points in trading.  In addition, the Nasdaq also posted a gain and was up 6.3 percent from last week.  The Federal Open Market Committee meeting takes place next week and could be a market mover.  Quantitative easing may be discussed during the meeting.

To read a related MarketWatch article, please click here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stock-indexes-rise-for-fifth-day-2011-09-16?link=MW_story_latest_news

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Gasoline Demand Drops –

Posted on 14. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil declined in trading after a report from the Energy Department indicated that gasoline supplies rose almost 2 million barrels.  Crude oil inventories decreased 6.7 million barrels due to weather related shutdowns.  Distillate fuel supplies increased 1.71 million barrels last week.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-14/oil-holds-losses-after-energy-department-report-on-inventories.html

James Sutliff

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

Euro Tumbles –

Posted on 9. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Euro is falling fast and dropped to $1.37 in early trading on Friday.  The European debt crisis continues to weigh on the Euro and this is the lowest mark against the Dollar since February.   Also, a recent resignation by an executive board member of the European Central Bank fueled investor concerns over the bond buying program. 

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903285704576559831788687972.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

Jim Sutliff

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

European Stocks Fall –

Posted on 5. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

European stocks fell 3 percent in Monday trading and the Euro dropped against the Dollar.  The risks associated with Euro-Zone investments increased with weak economic data and outcomes from recent elections in Germany.  The Euro fell to $1.4111 against the US Dollar. 

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/05/us-markets-global-idUSTRE77L0AE20110905

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Currency, Earnings, Economic News, Euro, General, Investments, Political News, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Republicans Target Capital Gains Tax –

Posted on 1. September 2011 by Jim Sutliff

A few Republican Presidential candidates are supporting the elimination of long term capital gains.  The reduction in the capital gains rate could spark investments and increase job growth.  Currently, there are five Republican Presidential candidates that support the capital gains reduction and that number is likely to grow.  Democrats are supporting measures to increase the current rate on capital gains.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-01/republican-investment-tax-cutters-top-bush-while-defying-buffett.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Democrat, Economic News, General, Investments, Political News, Republican, Stocks, Tax | Leave a comment

Crude Oil Slightly Higher –

Posted on 27. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil finished slightly higher in trading on Friday and closed at $85.37 a barrel.  Traders closely watched comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke which indicated that the Fed stands ready to implement stimulus programs if needed.  Gasoline traded lower on Friday after rising over 3% on Thursday.  Gasoline prices could drop due to lower summer driving demand caused by Hurricane Irene.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110826-713339.html

James Sutliff

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

Apple CEO Steve Jobs Resigns –

Posted on 24. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Steve Jobs resigned from Apple and COO Tim Cook will be his replacement.  Steve Jobs has been on medical leave since January 17th.  Analysts do not expect the resignation to slow product launches by Apple.  Shares of Apple fell 7 percent in after hours trading. 

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/24/us-apple-idUSTRE77N82K20110824

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Earnings, General, Investments, Stocks, Trading | Leave a comment

Gold Hits $1,900 –

Posted on 22. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Gold reached the $1,900 an ounce mark in trading Monday afternoon.  The price of Gold was only $1,800 an ounce two weeks ago.  Gold may continue to rise as global recessionary concerns rise.  The increase in gold prices over the last ten years has easily outpaced the rate of inflation. 

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

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/22/markets/gold_prices/index.htm?iid=HP_LN

James Sutliff

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

Commodities Rebound –

Posted on 20. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Stocks continued to decline at the end of the week but commodities started to rebound.  Growth projections for developing countries increased demand for raw materials.  Commodities advancing at the end of the trading week were silver, cooper, gold, and gasoline.  Gold finished the week at over $1,850 an ounce. 

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-19/commodities-led-by-oil-head-for-fourth-weekly-drop-gold-rises-to-record.html

Jim Sutliff

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

Crude Oil Falls On Growth Outlook –

Posted on 16. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Crude oil fell $1.23 and closed at $86.65 a barrel.  The weak economic outlook has lowered demand forecasts in a market that is already well supplied.  In addition, GDP for European zone economies only grew .2% in the second quarter.  The U.S. Dollar also increased in trading which sent the price of crude lower today. 

To read a related MarketWatch article, please click here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-futures-fall-as-dollar-strengthens-2011-08-15?link=MW_home_latest_news

James Sutliff

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

Dow Finishes Up –

Posted on 12. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones finished up 125 points on Friday but was still down 1.5% for the week.  Trading was very volatile all week with the Dow Jones moving 400 or more points on four consecutive days.  Gold touched $1,800 an ounce and crude oil bounced back from hitting almost $80 a barrel. 

To read a related Associated Press article, please click here:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dow-finishes-wild-week-on-an-apf-2740719647.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Earnings, Economic News, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Metals, Oil, Options & Futures, Stocks, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

Stocks & Oil Tumble –

Posted on 8. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 600 points in trading on Monday.  The downgrade of U.S. debt and concerns for the global economy continued to drive the market lower throughout the day.  Crude oil also fell in trading and finished the day near $80 a barrel.  Gold finished higher on the day and increased to over $1,700 an ounce. 

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-07/u-s-stock-futures-fall-amid-concern-s-p-cut-may-worsen-economic-slowdown.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Earnings, Economic News, General, Interest Rates, Investments, Metals, Oil, Options & Futures, Regulatory, Stocks, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment

U.S. Debt Downgraded –

Posted on 6. August 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Standard and Poor’s lowered the U.S. credit rating to AA+ and also attached a negative outlook.  The U.S. has held a triple A credit rating for 70 years and the downgrade is likely to have a negative effect on the financial markets.  Moody’s and Fitch ratings still have U.S. debt at the highest credit rating.  

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903366504576491421339802788.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Banking, Bonds, Currency, Economic News, Federal Reserve, General, Interest Rates, Regulatory, Stocks, Tax, Trading, Treasury | Leave a comment