And the second Friday of December hits us like a snowball, with general markets having a frosty reception to the latest effort by European leaders to stop the rot to halt the region’s debt crisis.
Crude prices have apprehensively back-pedaled into double-digitdom this week, while natural gas prices sled towards the lows of the year once again, as we are set to reach Christmas without a solid bout of frigid conditions in the US. But enough chat, here are the snacks: » read more
Where have you been?! Your dinner's on the table!
Wowee, mid-October already. Despite Halloween and the prospect of scares ahead, general markets have mustered a kangaroo-like jump higher. Crude has rallied well into double-digits in percentage terms since the lows of last week - as have equities - as economic data and hopes of containment for the Euro debt crisis (am sounding like a broken record, I know) improve. Natural gas, meanwhile, has plumbed the depths of the lows of the year, but is now seeing some support from the onset of winter temperatures on the horizon. Lots to digest – let’s hit the bitefest: » read more
And we’ve had another week of ridiculous rallies and savagery sell-offs, leaving crude markets…ooh, not all that changed, actually. The European debt crisis has been eased by France/Belgium guaranteeing the bad debt of Dexia, while the ECB has promised further bond purchases to calm default fears. A better-than-expected US employment report has been gladly accepted by markets (note: do not confuse ‘better-than-expected’ with ’strong’), while global economic worries continue to bubble away under the surface. Natural gas has spent the week plundering to new low after new low, as warmer outlooks look set to quell some heating demand, while strong supply is omnipresent. But enough from me, hark, bites to see: » read more
…and welcome to the last trading day in Q3, and the stormy conditions it brings. This week has dealt further downside pressure to natural gas, but no further low for the year as the themes of strong supply and weak demand continue. Crude has done a non-stop-flip-flop, remaining choppy but lacking conviction as Euro debt concerns continue, and as global economic worries ebb-flow-ebb-flow. Next week brings a new month, a new quarter, and a new set of data points to usher markets this way and that. But before then, enjoy the respite…with these bites: » read more
Happy Friday once again! Markets are staggering towards the end of the week, one which yielded a prompt month low for US natural gas ($3.66), and a sell-off in crude oil of epic proportions. Fear of a global downturn has been contained in recent weeks, but was toppled over like a gunpowder keg and the fuse unintentionally lit by the Federal Reserve, as their steps to calm markets and spur growth fell woefully short of expectations. Next week presents further fun and games with the return of Greek debt problems to the limelight, along with the risk of downbeat news out of the engine-room of the world, China. But for now, let’s chow: » read more
Matt Smith spent his twenties working in investment management in London, before swapping his bowler hat for a banjo and moving to Louisville, KY, and Summit Energy. When he is not reading, writing (or dreaming) about financial markets, he can be found enthusing about music, red wine, spicy food, or his family. And lamenting his soccer team, West Ham.
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