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February 2012
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Archive for the Banking Category

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

Fitch Cuts Credit Ratings -

Fitch lowered the credit ratings for the sovereign debt of five Euro region nations.  The five nations included Italy, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus, and Slovenia.  The credit rating for Italy was cut to A- and the rating for Spain fell to A.  Italy has the third largest European Union economy.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-27/italy-spain-are-among-five-euro-zone-nations-downgraded-by-fitch-ratings.html

James Sutliff

Nine European Nations Downgraded -

Standard & Poor’s downgraded the sovereign debt of nine European nations on Friday.  France and Austria lost their AAA ratings and were lowered to AA+.  In addition, the sovereign debt was downgraded for Spain, Italy, and Portugal.  Four European nations that still have a AAA rating are Germany. Finland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.  Borrowing costs could rise for the nations that had their sovereign debt downgraded.  U.S. Treasuries rose in trading on Friday and forced yields down to 1.87%.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204542404577158561838264378.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

Jim Sutliff

Euro Trades Lower -

The European debt crisis has forced the Euro lower in trading over the last few months.  Recent weeks have shown a steeper decline as recessionary concerns mounted and the debt crisis remained unresolved.  The Euro fell below $1.27 in Friday trading before climbing back above that mark.  Recently, the Euro showed weakness against the Yen as well as other currencies.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203513604577144371114758062.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

James Sutliff

Federal Reserve To Release Forecasts -

The Federal Reserve has announced that they will release their forecasts for the Federal funds rate.  The move will increase transparency at the Federal Reserve at may help with financial planning for businesses and investors.  Monetary policy expectations should be released at the next meeting on January 24th and 25th.  The Fed funds rate is expected to remain low for the remainder of 2012.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-03/fed-officials-will-make-public-own-forecasts-for-key-rate-at-next-meeting.html

James Sutliff

Oil Futures Rise -

Oil futures rose to their highest close since December 15th and settled at $99.68.  The increase capped a weekly gain of 6.6% for crude oil.  Positive economic data and tensions in Iran were two factors driving the price of crude higher.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-23/oil-futures-head-for-biggest-weekly-gain-in-10-months-on-u-s-economy.html

Jim Sutliff

Economic Data Drives Oil Higher -

Economic data sent oil prices higher in trading on Tuesday.  Housing starts and building permits rose and data from Europe looked strong.  Also, supplies of crude oil fell 4.6 million barrels last week which was higher than analyst expectations.

To read a related Reuters article, please click here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/20/us-markets-oil-idUSTRE7AD06820111220

Jim Sutliff

Fitch May Downgrade France -

Fitch Ratings indicated that they may downgrade the sovereign debt of seven European nations.  France is one of the European nations facing a downgrade from Fitch.  The six other nations are Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-16/euro-advances-as-juncker-signals-eu-to-meet-imf-loan-deadline-yen-falls.html

James Sutliff

Bernanke Meets With Republican Senators -

On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke met with Republican Senators to discuss the European Union sovereign debt crisis.  According to GOP Senators, Bernanke indicated that the European debt crisis could significantly impact the American economy.  The Euro fell below $1.30 in afternoon trading.

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

http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/14/news/economy/bernanke_europe_senate_gop/index.htm

Jim Sutliff

Euro Trades Lower -

 The Euro fell on news that Moody’s is considering a downgrade of European Union sovereign debt.  The inability to end the debt crisis is one factor in the Moody’s decision.  In currency trading, the Euro fell to $1.3184 which is the lowest mark since October 4th.  Also, Italian bonds declined in trading.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-11/euro-weakens-before-german-investor-confidence-data-italy-s-bill-auction.html

James Sutliff

Eurozone Leaders Reach Agreement -

European leaders reached an agreement on centralized fiscal policy.  The agreement is supported by all 17 euro zone countries as well as the 9 countries seeking to join the union.  England did not approve the fiscal plan.  Stock markets reacted positively with the Dow Jones rising 163.44 points.

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

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/12/09/european-leaders-give-markets-what-wanted/

Jim Sutliff

Asia Markets Fall; Gold Rises -

Stock markets across Asia fell with Japan’s Nikkei dropping 1.6% and Korea’s Kospi Composite falling 1.9%.  New Zealand and Australian markets were also lower in trading.  European debt crisis concerns were the driving force in the markets.  The Euro fell to $1.3345 against the Dollar and gold rose $7.40 to $1,713.20 an ounce.

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

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203413304577087082679599936.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

James Sutliff

Data Sends Crude Oil Lower -

European and Chinese manufacturing numbers came in weak and that helped to send crude oil lower.  Crude oil settled at slightly higher than $100 dollars a barrel on Thursday.  This is the first time since February 2009 that Chinese manufacturing has contracted.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-01/oil-fluctuates-on-u-s-jobless-claims-rally-in-spanish-french-bonds.html

Jim Sutliff

Crude Oil Rises On Retail Sales -

Thanksgiving weekend sales rose and crude oil prices followed in trading on Monday.  Crude oil futures broke the $100 dollar mark and hit their highest level since November 17th.  On the supply side, Libyan output increased to over 750,000 barrels a day.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-28/crude-oil-climbs-after-u-s-thanksgiving-retail-sales-surge-to-a-record.html

Jim Sutliff

Federal Reserve QE3 -

The Federal Reserve may provide another round of quantitative easing.  The breakdown of the budget negotiations between Republicans and Democrats are one factor that could lead to QE3.  Quantitative easing may lower long term interest rates and help with the recovery of the housing market.

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

http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2011/11/23/washington-gridlock-could-push-fed-to-act-on-economy-with-qe3/

James Sutliff