The current price of key market indexes

[Value Buy]

April 30th 2018 closing quotes

Dow 24,163.15
Nasdaq 7,066.27
S&P 500 Index 2,648.05
Russell 2000 1,543.82
Transport index 10,423.57
Utility Index 707.01

Vix 16.08

Brent oil $75.16 barrel
WTI $68.43 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.1278 gallon
Natural gas $2.764
Heating Oil $2.165 gal

Gold $1,315.90 oz
Platinum $905.20
Silver $16.36 oz
Copper $3.071

Wheat $511.25
Corn   $400.75
Soybeans $1,048.50
OJ $155.05
Lumber $562.70

Live cattle $105.875
Lean hogs $72.90

Ten yr bond 2.949%

Euro $1.2079
Canadian dollar $.7793
Yen $109.27
Peso $.0535  
Lean hog contract rolled over to new month and large cost increase

[Value Buy]

May 15th closing quotes

Dow 24,706.41
Nasdaq 7,351.63
S&P 500 Index 2,711.45
Russell 2000 1,600.34
Transport index 10,615.67
Utility Index 680.17

Vix 14.63

Brent oil $78.25 barrel
WTI $71.09 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.201 gallon
Natural gas $2.823
Heating Oil $2.243 gal

Gold $1,293.40 oz
Platinum $899.60
Silver $16.295 oz
Copper $3.0595

Wheat $493.75
Corn $402.25
Soybeans $1,012.00
O.J. $169.90
Lumber $619.00

Live cattle $100.40
Lean hogs $77.70

Ten yr bond 3.063%

Euro $1.1823
Canadian dollar $.7780
Yen $110.27
Peso $.0508

Ten yr bond closed above 3% level

[Value Buy]

May 31st closing quotes

Dow 24,415.84
Nasdaq 7,442.12
S&P 500 Index 2,705.27
Russell 2000 1,633.61
Transport index 10,750.33
Utility Index 695.21

Vix 15.43

Brent oil $77.59 barrel
WTI $68.40 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.1747 gallon
Natural gas $2.1747
Heating Oil $2.952 gal

Gold $1,302.90 oz
Platinum $907.10
Silver $16.42 oz
Copper $3.0635

Wheat $524.75
Corn $393.50
Soybeans $1,019.50
O.J. $162.65
Lumber $603.40

Live cattle $104.00
Lean hogs $77.725

Ten yr bond 2.864%

Euro $1.11696
Canadian dollar $.77.22
Yen $108.82
Peso $.05002

[Value Buy]

I have been remiss in updating the stats. Will try to do it next week.
I am concerned about the spread between WTI and Brent Crude this week.
WTI   $63.14 per barrel
Brent  $72.82 per barrel

$9.68 spread between them. That is quite a spread.
I assume it has to do with the coming Iran oil sanctions, and possibly the strength of the dollar.

[Value Buy]

June 15th closing quotes

Dow 25,090.48
Nasdaq 7,746.38
S&P 500 Index 2,779.66
Russell 2000 1,683.91
Transport index 11,734.99
Utility Index 678.31

Vix 11.98

Brent oil $73.31 barrel
WTI $64.65 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.0183 gallon
Natural gas $3.027
Heating Oil $2.085 gal

Gold $1,282.60 oz
Platinum $888.50
Silver $16.58 oz
Copper $3.132

Wheat $499.80
Corn $362.50
Soybeans $904.30
O.J. $160.10
Lumber $558.50

Live cattle $104.90
Lean hogs $78.48

Ten yr bond 2.26%

Euro $1.1161
Canadian dollar $.77581
Yen $110.60
Peso $.0485

[Value Buy]

June 30th closing quotes

Dow 24,271.41
Nasdaq 7,510.80
S&P 500 Index 2,718.13
Russell 2000 1,643.07
Transport index 10,344.99
Utility Index 711.64

Vix 16.09

Brent oil $79.23 barrel
WTI        $74.15 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.1512 gallon
Natural gas $2.2294
Heating Oil $2.209 gal

Gold $1,254.50 oz
Platinum $853.33
Silver $16.20 oz
Copper $2.966

Wheat $501.25
Corn    $359.50
Soybeans $880.00
O.J.    $160.35
Lumber $552.50

Live cattle $106.725
Lean hogs $76.45

Ten yr bond 2.86%

Euro $1.173
Canadian dollar $.7616
Yen $110.58
Peso $.0502

[Value Buy]

July 16th closing quotes

Dow 25,064.36
Nasdaq 7,805.72
S&P 500 Index 2,78.43
Russell 2000 1,677.61
Transport index 10,435.52
Utility Index 21.05

Vix 12.86

Brent oil $71.90 barrel
WTI $68.05 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.0077 gallon
Natural gas $2.762
Heating Oil $2.0571 gal

Gold $1,241.20 oz
Platinum $826.10
Silver $15.815 oz
Copper $2.7675

Wheat $488.25
Corn $355.50
Soybeans $830.75
O.J. $170.85
Lumber $517.50

Live cattle $109.20
Lean hogs $54.05

Ten yr bond 2.856%

Euro $1.172
Canadian dollar $.7616
Yen $112.25
Peso $.0532
Lean hogs fell due to China import tariffs on hogs

[Value Buy]

July 31st closing quotes

Dow 25,415.19
Nasdaq 7,671.79
S&P 500 Index 2,816.29
Russell 2000 1,670.80
Transport index 11,077.10
Utility Index 724.24

Vix 12.83

Brent oil $74.25 barrel
WTI $68.40 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.1231 gallon
Natural gas $2.781
Heating Oil $2.1286 gal

Gold $1,233.10 oz
Platinum $41.40
Silver $15.55 oz
Copper $2.8225

Wheat $554.50
Corn $386.25
Soybeans $918.00
O.J.      $167.30
Lumber $458.00

Live cattle $109.35
Lean hogs $50.70

Ten yr bond 2.62%

Euro $1.1692
Canadian dollar $.7691
Yen $111.84
Peso $.0536

[Value Buy]

August 15th closing quotes

Dow 25,162.41
Nasdaq 7,774.12
S&P 500 Index 2,818.37
Russell 2000 1,670.57
Transport index 11,115.02
Utility Index 732.32

Vix 14.65

Brent oil $70.70 barrel
WTI $64.85 barrel
Gasoline NYH $1.9941 gallon
Natural gas $2.943
Heating Oil $2.0892 gal

Gold $1,181.30 oz
Platinum $767.60
Silver $14.40 oz
Copper $2.5835

Wheat $552.00
Corn $376.00
Soybeans $869.25
O.J. $155.55
Lumber $450.60

Live cattle $109.275
Lean hogs $52.725

Ten yr bond 2.86%

Euro $1.1348
Canadian dollar $.7616
Yen $110.67
Peso $.0521

[Value Buy]

August 31st closing quotes

Dow 25,964.82
Nasdaq 8,109.54
S&P 500 Index 2,901.52
Russell 2000 1,740.75
Transport index 11,303.76
Utility Index 726.41

Vix 18.09

Brent oil $72.86 barrel
WTI $70.05 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.0285 gallon
Natural gas $2.865
Heating Oil $2.268 gal

Gold $1,206.70 oz
Platinum $788.70
Silver $14.525oz
Copper $2.6425

Wheat $537.50
Corn $366.75
Soybeans $843.75
O.J. $154.45
Lumber $411.80

Live cattle $108.775
Lean hogs $50.425

Ten yr bond 2.862%

Euro $1.1599
Canadian dollar $.7628
Yen $111.12
Peso $.0520

[Value Buy]

September 14th closing quotes

Dow 26,154.67
Nasdaq 8,010.04
S&P 500 Index 2,904.98
Russell 2000 1,723.49
Transport index 11,570.84
Utility Index 736.88

Vix 12.10

Brent oil $78.12 barrel
WTI $68.96 barrel
Gasoline NYH $1.973 gallon
Natural gas $2.767
Heating Oil $2.21 gal

Gold $1,198.90 oz
Platinum $796.40
Silver $14.095oz
Copper $2.619

Wheat $511.75
Corn $351.50
Soybeans $830.50
O.J. $153.75
Lumber $370.00

Live cattle $117.975
Lean hogs $56.70

Ten yr bond 2.996%

Euro $1.1623
Canadian dollar $.767
Yen $112.01
Peso $.0530

[Value Buy]

September 28th closing quotes

Dow 26,458.31
Nasdaq 8,046.35
S&P 500 Index 2,913.98
Russell 2000 1,696.57
Transport index 11,379.36
Utility Index 720.60

Vix 12.12

Brent oil $82.69 barrel
WTI $73.55 barrel
Gasoline NYH $2.0952 gallon
Natural gas $2.999
Heating Oil $2.351 gal

Gold $1,195.30 oz
Platinum $818.50
Silver $14.665oz
Copper $2.8035

Wheat $510.50
Corn $356.50
Soybeans $844.25
O.J. $147.60
Lumber $344.40

Live cattle $118.975
Lean hogs $57.875

Ten yr bond 3.063%

Euro $1.1599
Canadian dollar $.7744
Yen $113.66
Peso $.0534

[Value Buy]

October 15th closing quotes

Dow 25,280.55
Nasdaq 7,430.74
S&P 500 Index 2,750.79
Russell 2000 1,555.40
Transport index 10,553.97
Utility Index 726.35

Vix 21.19

Brent oil $80.71 barrel
WTI $71.65 barrel
Gasoline NYH $1.9418 gallon
Natural gas $3.252
Heating Oil $2.3241 gal

Gold $1,228.60 oz
Platinum $847.00
Silver $14.72 oz
Copper $2.7855

Wheat $524.75
Corn $377.25
Soybeans $891.50
O.J. $143.04
Lumber $326.90

Live cattle $118.15
Lean hogs $56.75

Ten yr bond 3.154%

Euro $1.158
Canadian dollar $.7708
Yen $111.78
Peso $.0531

[Value Buy]

October 31st closing quotes

Dow 25,115.76
Nasdaq 7,305.90
S&P 500 Index 2,711.74
Russell 2000 1,512.45
Transport index 10,191.18
Utility Index 733.84

Vix 20.93

Brent oil $75.46 barrel
WTI $65.08 barrel
Gasoline NYH $1.7543 gallon
Natural gas $3.285
Heating Oil $2.2511 gal

Gold $1,217.30 oz
Platinum $841.70
Silver $14.27 oz
Copper $2.6555

Wheat $501.25
Corn $363.25
Soybeans $851.50
O.J. $137.60
Lumber $309.50

Live cattle $118.15
Lean hogs $58.60

Ten yr bond 3.151%

Euro $1.1322
Canadian dollar $.7602
Yen $112.87
Peso $.0493

[Value Buy]

November 15th closing quotes

Dow 25,289.34
Nasdaq 7,25.03
S&P 500 Index 2,730.20
Russell 2000 1,522.37
Transport index 10,615.30
Utility Index 715.02

Vix 20.20

Brent oil $66.53 barrel
WTI $56.46 barrel
Gasoline NYH $1.5527 gallon
Natural gas $3.935
Heating Oil $2.0741 gal

Gold $1,213.80 oz
Platinum $844.60
Silver $14.28 oz
Copper $2.751

Wheat $505.50
Corn $367.25
Soybeans $889.00
O.J. $133.15
Lumber $355.00

Live cattle $110.075
Lean hogs $63.775

Ten yr bond 3.109%

Euro $1.1331
Canadian dollar $.7587
Yen $113.50
Peso $.0493

[Value Buy]

November 30th closing quotes

Dow 25,538.46
Nasdaq 7,330.54
S&P 500 Index 2,760.16
Russell 2000 1,533.27
Transport index 10,820.20
Utility Index 741.92

Vix 18.10

Brent oil $58.68 barrel
WTI $50.64 barrel
Gasoline NYH $1.4234 gallon
Natural gas $4.61
Heating Oil $1.834 gal

Gold $1,227.50 oz
Platinum $800.50
Silver $14.125 oz
Copper $2.776

Wheat $515.50
Corn $376.75
Soybeans $893.25
O.J. $144.25
Lumber $324.70

Live cattle $120.507
Lean hogs $67.475

Ten yr bond 3.001%

Euro $1.134
Canadian dollar $.7528
Yen $113.50
Peso $.0491

[Value Buy]

December 14th closing quotes

Dow 24,100.51
Nasdaq 6,910.67
S&P 500 Index 2,599.95
Russell 2000 1,410.81
Transport index 9,514.11
Utility Index 757.85

Vix 21.63

Brent oil $60.48 barrel
WTI $51.48 barrel
Gasoline NYH $1.4234 gallon
Natural gas $3.648
Heating Oil $1.854 gal

Gold $1,240.40 oz
Platinum $786.80
Silver $14.63 oz
Copper $2.755

Wheat $532.50
Corn $384.00
Soybeans $902.75
O.J. $139.15
Lumber $321.60

Live cattle $122.40
Lean hogs $64.50

Ten yr bond 2.893%

Euro $1.1305
Canadian dollar $.74.73
Yen  $113.45
Peso  .498

[Value Buy]

December 31st 2018 closing quotes

Dow 23,327.46
Nasdaq 6,635.28
S&P 500 Index 2,506.85
Russell 2000 1,343.80
Transportation Index 9,170.40
Utility Index 712.93

Vix     25.62

Brent Oil $54.15 barrel
WTI Oil $45.88 barrel
Gasoline $1.3211 NY harbor gallon
Natural gas $2.983
Heating Oil $1.6864 gallon

Gold $1,284.30 oz
Platinum  $800.50
Silver  $15.535 oz
Copper $2.6395

Wheat $503.00
Corn $374.25
Soybeans $894.00
Oj $126.45
Lumber $336.90

Live Cattle $124.025
Lean Hogs $61.00

Ten Year Treasury Bond 2.686%

Euro $1.145
Canadian dollar $.7344
Yen $109.60
Peso $.0509

[Value Buy]

Jan 1, 2018 9:39:09 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

December 29th 2017closing quotes/December 31st 2018 closing quotes 

Dow 24,719.22  ..........................23,327.46
Nasdaq 6,903.39............................6,635.28                      
S&P 500 Index 2,673.61.................2,506.85
Russell 2000 1,535.51...................1,343.80
Transport index 10,612.29..............9,170.40
Utility Index 723.37.........................712.93

Vix 11.04.....................................25.62

Brent oil $66.62 barrel..................$54.15
WTI Oil $60.10barrel....................$45.88
Gasoline NYH $1.7878 gallon.......$1.3211
Natural gas $2.955.......................$2.983
Heating Oil $2.0605 gallon...........$1.6864

Gold $1,305.10 oz......................$1,284.30
Platinum $934.70......................$800.50
Silver $16.985 oz......................$15.535
Copper $3.295..........................$2.6395

Wheat $427.25.......................$503.00
Corn $351.00.........................$374.25
Soybeans $962.50..................$894.00
OJ $136.15...........................$126.45

Lumber $441.60....................$336.90

Live cattle $121.65.................$124.025
Lean hogs $71.60....................$61.00

Ten yr bond 2.41%................2.686%

Euro $1.2005.......................$1.1455
Canadian dollar $.7954............$.7344
Yen $112.69........................$109.60
Peso $.0509...........................$.0509

Despite the doom and gloom projected in the equity markets the last few months, when you compare numbers, we have not fallen off a cliff from the year's beginning numbers.
Yes the DOW and Transports have been hit quite a bit, but Nasdaq and S&P 500 are not that far down.
Gold is barely down $20 an oz, although silver and platinum have been hit hard.
The grain commodites, wheat and corn are actually up over a year ago and soybeans closed at down $68.50 from the $962.50 yr ago contract price. Not a falling off a cliff scenerio.....
Oil commodities are way down from last January. Good for consumers and transportation companies, bad for producers and refiners......... 

[Value Buy]

WTI , Brent oil and NYH gasoline have recovered from their December lows, and seem to have given the stock market a shot in the arm in the last week.
I am concerned about the spread between Brent and WTI. Brent oil has been over eight dollars a barrel higher than WTI. Probably should be about $6 a barrel.

[Value Buy]

January 15th 2019 closing quotes

Dow 24,065.59
Nasdaq 7,023.83
S&P 500 Index 2,610.30
Russell 2000 1,445.17
Transportation Index 9,557.70
Utility Index 701.69

Vix 18.60

Brent Oil $60.62 barrel
WTI Oil $52.09 barrel
Gasoline $1.4136 NY harbor gallon
Natural gas $3.4151
Heating Oil $1.8712 gallon

Gold $1,289.00 oz
Platinum $802.30
Silver $15.615 oz
Copper $2.6425

Wheat $511.50
Corn $371.75
Soybeans $894.75
Oj $121.00
Lumber $350.40

Live Cattle $127.50
Lean Hogs $67.075

Ten Year Treasury Bond 2.713%

Euro $1.1408
Canadian dollar $.7544
Yen $108.62
Peso $.0526

Stocks continue in an upward trend. Even with Brexit vote going down yesterday, markets are up today on the day after vote.
WTI oil is up $6.21 a barrel in 15 days. rrob up nine cents a gallon. Hopefully oil will slow down for awhile.
Cattle and lean hogs continue to move up in a continueing uptrend. Metals are sideways as are the grains.

[Value Buy]

January 31st 2019 closing quotes

Dow 24,999.67
Nasdaq 7,281.74
S&P 500 Index 2,704.10
Russell 2000 1,495.45
Transportation Index 10,059.25
Utility Index 727.24

Vix 16.62

Brent Oil $61.90 barrel
WTI Oil $53.94 barrel
Gasoline $1.3593 NY harbor gallon
Natural gas $2.833
Heating Oil $1.8764 gallon

Gold $1,324.40 oz
Platinum $823.30
Silver $16.065 oz
Copper $2.781

Wheat $516.50
Corn   $376.00
Soybeans $915.75
Oj       $119.95
Lumber $415.40

Live Cattle $126.35
Lean Hogs $60.425

Ten Year Treasury Bond 2.635%

Euro $1.1446
Canadian dollar $.7614
Yen $108.91
Peso $.0523

Still coming off the December stock swoon. January turned into a good month for the stock indexes and the ten yr bond continues in the 2.7% range.
Gold and silver are showing some signs of life, but grains are trading in a tight range.

Not sure what is going on with lumber, but well off the December numbers. Housing does not look very strong so that is not the reason. Possibly trade agreement coming soon 

[Value Buy]

February 15th 2019 closing quotes

Dow 25,883.25
Nasdaq 7,472.41
S&P 500 Index 2,775.60
Russell 2000 1,566.28
Transportation Index 10,567.69
Utility Index 738.52
Vix 14.91

Brent Oil $66.34 barrel
WTI Oil $55.72 barrel
Gasoline $1.5748 NY harbor gallon
Natural gas $2.628
Heating Oil $2.023 gallon

Gold $1,324.60 oz
Platinum $808.20
Silver $15.765 oz
Copper $2.817

Wheat $505.75
Corn $374.75
Soybeans $907.75
Oj $115.55
Lumber $408.30

Live Cattle $127.20
Lean Hogs $59.575

Ten Year Treasury Bond 2.663%

Euro $1.1292
Canadian dollar $.7547
Yen $110.40
Peso $.0519

DOW is now back to levels at November 30 of last year
NASDQ is back to10/15/2018 Level.
Brent and WTI seems to be on a good run, and are showing some higher prices.
Euro and Yen are up against the dollar. Euro trending strong.

[ModE98]

Basically,  things are sounding better.  Mow if S for B doesn't screw it up some way.

[Value Buy]

    Anyone catch WMT earnings this morning? 
They said their sales and profit margins were great, expecially the Internet sales.
Between Amazon and WMT coming in with extremely good numbers, I think the government's December sales number is deeply wrong.
Look for the market to take off on the first revision of December retail numbers from a negative number to a positive one.
Consumer confidence is strong and in great shape, and that is what keeps the the economy strong.

[Value Buy]

February 28th 2019 closing quotes

Dow     25,916.00
Nasdaq 7,532.53
S&P 500 Index 2,784.49
Russell 2000 1,575.52
Transportation Index 10,467.22
Utility Index 756.34

Vix 14.78

Brent Oil $66.02 barrel
WTI Oil  $57.22 barrel
Gasoline $1.6462 NY harbor gallon
Natural gas $2.803
Heating Oil $2.029 gallon

Gold $1,314.50 oz
Platinum $873.30
Silver $15.64 oz
Copper $2.948

Wheat $458.75
Corn   $370.25
Soybeans $910.00
Oj     $116.85
Lumber $391.10

Live Cattle $129.80
Lean Hogs $55.55

Ten Year Treasury Bond 2.722%

Euro $1.1375
Canadian dollar $.759
Yen $111.43
Peso $.0519
BTC Bitcoin  $3,805.55

I added Bitcoin to the monetary listing. Looks like cryptocurrency is here to stay. 

[resolution]

It's encouraging to see how much the S&P 500 has recovered over the last few months. I was concerned the shutdown and tariffs would have a larger impact but things are still chugging along.

[Value Buy]

Okay, we are reaching a turning point in some markets.
S&P 500 is at 2,819 which is just above a key support number. If we close here, we might be headed higher from here. The FANG STOCKS ARE ALL UP this year off the December numbers, and have started climbing higher this month, although are off their all time highs. The FANG stocks do seem to be in an up trend now as is Microsoft. Netflix particular has recovered nicely, but Google, Apple and Facebook are all climbing. Most are up over 5% this week alone.
Copper. much higher, and does tend to go up towards spring most years, but this too suggests China and India miight be buying again. Since both seem to have stagnated economies this might suggest they are bottoming out of the economic doldrums.
Oil index- about a $9.50 spread of Brent over WTI right now and WTI has climbed to the high $50 dollar range again. Might be the strengthening dollar reduces international demand for American oil and increases Brent demand purchases.
Whether this area holds remains to be seen whether world economy demand has increased or we are just seeing spike in anticipation of the summer driving season in America this year. 

We have triple witching Friday, so hang on to your seats. We might see some moves in important stocks, unless funds have already started making their required moves already this week. This might explain the moves we have seen in stocks so far this week.

[Value Buy]

March 15th 2019 closing quotes

Dow 25,848.87
Nasdaq 7,688.53
S&P 500 Index 2,822.48
Russell 2000 1,553.53
Transportation Index 10,310.12
Utility Index 779.36

Vix 12.88

Brent Oil $67.07 barrel
WTI Oil $58.43 barrel
Gasoline $1.8493 NY harbor gallon
Natural gas $2.795
Heating Oil $1.9659 gallon

Gold $1,301.70 oz
Platinum $831.40
Silver $15.29 oz
Copper $2.908

Wheat $460.25
Corn $373.00
Soybeans $909.25
Oj $125.75
Lumber $389.80

Live Cattle $122.00
Lean Hogs $86.525

Ten Year Treasury Bond 2.593%

Euro $1.1317
Canadian dollar $.7491
Yen $111.49
Peso $.0520

BTC Bitcoin $3,907.55

NY Harbor gasoline futures are reaching their spring price increases as heating oil and NG also come down as useage requirements dro from warmer weather.
Ten Yr bond dropped below 2.6% but should bounce back. The FED will be speaking later today (March 19th) and not expected to raise or lower rates but might make comments about the economy here as well as around the world giving investors an idea of eventually when interest rates will be raised.

[Value Buy]

In the last post, I failed to talk about lean hog quoted pricing.
We jumped over $.30 cents a lb in fifteen days.
Seems the Chinese have been not so quietly buying lean hogs, due to needed supply.
They placed a tariff on this commodity in reaction to Trump's tariffs, but they are now buying the pork.
Not sure if traders caught on to this and jacked up the futures contract price, or due to actual sales demand.