Archive for the ‘Market Commentary’ Category

Stocks Down As Oil Rises

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

In general stocks were down today on Wall Street, as soaring oil prices have investors worried about how the skyrocketing costs will affect the beleaguered consumer. Oil went over $119 per barrel, and has showed no real signs of a slowdown as the summer driving season has arrived. "We've melted ...

Oil Hits New Record

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Oil set a new record at $114.54 per barrel. The main reason cited is that speculators are pouring money into commodities, due to the continued decline of the dollar. As the Euro continues to climb against the dollar, money keeps pouring into oil. According to Olivier Jakob, the trend ...

Technology And Retail Stocks Rule The Day

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

The Dow Jones had a decent day, as technology and retail leaders led a small rally. The primary mover pushing tech stocks up was that Banc of America Securities upgraded the U.S. semiconductor sector. They reasoned that a modest inventory buildup has eased. This lead investors to ...

WaMu Takes 7 Billion Dollar Infusion

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

Another great banking institution has taken on water with mortgage defaults and delinquencies. This time it's Washington Mutual.(WM) The company is taking on 7 billion dollars from private equity firm TPG Inc. and other investors. Washington Mutual announced plans to eliminate 3,000 jobs and will close 186 stand alone home lending ...

Bernanke Says Recession Is Possible

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

Will there be a recession or not? That is everybody's favorite games these days. Many people claim the country is already in a recession, others are hoping that the U.S. will somehow escape that fate. Today Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said bluntly that their could still be ...

Housing Declines, But Signs Of Reaching A Bottom Loom

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

The housing business is still hurting bad, but there is at least one sure sign things are starting to move in a positive direction. Houses are selling again, despite being priced as much as 10% lower than last year. The Case-Shiller index takes a look at home sales ...

Oil Falls Below $100 Per Barrel

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Oil has dipped below $100 per barrel on news of diminishing demand. Year over year, crude oil consumption saw a 3.2% decline. This was enough to send speculators running for the hills on an orgy of profit taking. Demand for gasoline also fell 1% for the same period. ...

Bear Stearns Sales Worries Stock Market

Monday, March 17th, 2008

J.P. Morgan took over Bear Stearns in a deal that highlights just how trouble the financial sector really is. In two weeks, Bear Stearns lost over 98% of its' market value, and JPM is picking up the pieces. The news has hit Asian markets particularly hard. Bear ...

Gas Prices Are 9 Cents Higher In Past Two Weeks

Monday, March 10th, 2008

People, on average, are paying 9 cents more per gallon of gas in the United States in the last two weeks. Oil prices have shot up to as high as $106 per barrel in recent trading, and the effect is certainly trickling down to users at the pumps. The Lundberg Survey looks ...

Retailers Report Consumers Have Returned To Malls

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Major retailers are reporting that February saw a return of consumers to the nation's shopping malls. WalMart, in particular, announced a solid month. Despite people being out there shopping, many of them are not spending on big ticket items. Of course people continue to purchase staples, but ...