The current price of key market indexes

[Value Buy]

Ahh, release of 30 million barrel oil reserves, and everyone panics...........
A mere drop in the proverbial barrel of oil.

[Value Buy]

Chevron, if it drops to $90 a share, I am backing the truck up.

[tyfighter3]

Same here, what a buying opportunity for the oil stocks. JMO

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, June 23rd
Dow 12,050
Nasdaq 2686.75
S&P 500 1283.50
Gold $1522 oz
Silver $35.31 an oz
Copper $4.07
Oil $92.35 barrel
Gasoline $2.81 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $4.27
Corn $6.70 bushel
10 yr treasury $101.81
Euro $142.69
Canadian dollar $1.0226

Commodities taking the big hit today. Still do not understand corn. It should still be strong, due to planting acreage issues.
With the release of some strategic oil reserves, I assume we are saying Saudi Arabia can no longer produce enough oil to hold the line on inflated pricing. This does not bode well for holding oil to a reasonable price level in the years ahead. It also tells me oil can be held hostage by the large hedge funds, rather than by Opec.
Will the Euro fall some more against the dollar due to the issues with Greece on their refinancing their debt.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, June 23rd
Dow 12,050
Nasdaq 2686.75
S&P 500 1283.50
Gold $1522 oz
Silver $35.31 an oz
Copper $4.07
Oil $92.35 barrel
Gasoline $2.81 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $4.27
Corn $6.70 bushel
10 yr treasury $101.81
Euro $142.69
Canadian dollar $1.0226

Today's index prices, July 7th 2011
Dow 12,719
Nasdaq 2872
S&P 500 1353
Gold $1531 oz
Silver $36.44 an oz
Copper $4.43
Oil $98.54 barrel
Gasoline $3.115 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $4.164
Corn $6.50 bushel
10 yr treasury $99.79
Euro $143.51
Canadian dollar $1.0416
Gold not doing much, but copper and oil complex on fire.
So much for opening the National Oil stockpile to flame out the speculators.....
Stocks have been strong, especially this week.
Corn still dropping.......

[Value Buy]

I see Brent crude has built up a significant premium over our crude, and the Middle East is even quiet right now.
There is more to the oil complex then demand right now. Speculators are playing the momentum again

[Value Buy]

July 7th 2011
Dow 12,719
Nasdaq 2872
S&P 500 1353
Gold $1531 oz
Silver $36.44 an oz
Copper $4.43
Oil $98.54 barrel
Gasoline $3.115 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $4.164
Corn $6.50 bushel
10 yr treasury $99.79
Euro $143.51
Canadian dollar $1.0416

Today's index prices, July 21st 2011
Dow 12,724
Nasdaq 2834
S&P 500 1343
Gold $1591 oz
Silver $39.41 an oz
Copper $4.39
Oil $99.16 barrel
Gasoline $3.105 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $4.39
Corn $6.7425 bushel
10 yr treasury $100.953
Euro $1.44
Canadian dollar $1.0578

Oil broke temporarily over $100 a barrel today.
Looks like we are seeing a slight market shift, where oil and the S&P are in lock step again.
Canadian dollar is still getting stronger.

[Value Buy]

Down and down we go today...
where we stop, nobody knows.........

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, August 4th 2011
Dow 11,388
Nasdaq 2556
S&P 500 1200
Gold $1657 oz
Silver $39.34 an oz
Copper $4.2085
Oil $85.75 barrel
Gasoline $2.747 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.93
Corn $6.9225 bushel
10 yr treasury $106.22
Euro $1.409
Canadian dollar $1.022

Gold silver and corn still holding strong, everything else is falling, even the Canadian dollar, I assume because of falling oil prices.
Now we wait and see if there is carnage in Europe later tomorrow morning, and where our jobs report falls. Will it be a plus 50,000, or less than 50,000?
I am now 1.66% negative for the year, and expect a hit again tomorrow.
Only bright spot is, dividend reinvestment will get me some extra shares, as dividends are coming due soon, on lower stock valuations.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, August 10th 2011
Dow 10,719
Nasdaq 2381
S&P 500 1120.76
Gold $1806 oz
Silver $39.46 an oz
Copper $3.90
Oil $81.89 barrel
Gasoline $2.767 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.99
Corn $6.9025 bushel
10 yr treasury $109.375
Euro $1.4169
Canadian dollar $1.012

Not much to say.
The Euro is stronger, for absolutely no reason, oil is down but gasoline and natural gas slightly stronger.
Gold running away to who knows where, but silver is not matching gold's performance, and copper is slipping
The ten year bond will remain the safe haven home for countries around the world, even though we are going to heck here at home.
Stock markets are schizophrenic, and do not know where they are headed.

[lovetobike]

What do you guys think about Shell for an oil play? It pays a nice dividend, has a low P/E ratio, and seems to follow the upswings of oil as well as XOM, CVX and the others.

[Value Buy]

Don't really follow Shell.
Exxon and Chevron are both falling to attractive prices, and they are virtually printing money at $80 a barrel for oil.
Chevron is still a little too high priced, imo

[Value Buy]

I see Apple surpassed Exxon as the largest publicly traded company this week.

Kiss of death for Apple?

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, August 10th 2011
Dow 10,719
Nasdaq 2381
S&P 500 1120.76
Gold $1806 oz
Silver $39.46 an oz
Copper $3.90
Oil $81.89 barrel
Gasoline $2.767 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.99
Corn $6.9025 bushel
10 yr treasury $109.375
Euro $1.4169
Canadian dollar $1.012

Today's index prices, August 24th 2011
Dow 11,320
Nasdaq 2,467
S&P 500 1,162
Gold $1764 oz
Silver $40.39 an oz
Copper $4.0145
Oil $85.31 barrel
Gasoline $2.884 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.925
Corn $7.3835 bushel
10 yr treasury $102.
Euro $1.4398
Canadian dollar $1.0124

Two weeks have passed and if you look at the numbers, the markets look like nothing has happened at all.
Go FIGURE.
Longterm investors such as myself are in the hole for the year, give or take 4 to 9 percent down (I'm fluctuating up and down,driving me crazy)
Daytraders have to be in Hog Heaven. Money to be made by the seconds, or minutes......
Gold has trailed off a little, silver still strong, as is corn.
Oil, no matter, what trades above where I think it should be.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, September 7th 2011
Dow 11,414
Nasdaq 2,548.98
S&P 500 1,198
Transportation index 4529.
Utility index 428.93
Gold $1819 oz
Platinum $1830.50
Silver $41.57 oz
Copper $4.138
Oil $89.83 barrel
Gasoline $2.9125 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.954
Heating oil $3.077 Gallon
Wheat $7.52 bushel
Corn $7.3835 bushel
10 yr treasury $100.703
Euro $1.4082
Canadian dollar $1.016
Yen $77.30

I have added Platinum, heating oil, wheat, yen, transportation index, and utility index to the mix.
Hard to fathom platinum is now trading flat to gold.
We have had the serious down and up swing for two days now, with prices for stocks, money and commodities trading all over the place in both directions.
Tonight we get the Republican debate, and tomorrow the President announces a new plan to save the country, from economic morass (again) so we are in for some more fireworks on a short trading week

[Value Buy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's index prices, September 23rd 2011
Dow 10,741
Nasdaq 2,452
S&P 500 1,128
Transportation index 4185
Utility index 430.09
Gold $1695 oz
Platinum $1650.50
Silver $32.79 oz
Copper $3.385
Oil $79.39 barrel
Gasoline $2.55 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.723
Heating oil $2.823 Gallon
Wheat $6.34 bushel
Corn $642.75 bushel
10 yr treasury $103.406
Euro $1.35.04
Canadian dollar $.975
Yen $76.21

Prices are approxiamate as changing faster then I can input!

[Value Buy]

What a weeek in the markets!
Anyone have an idea where we will wind up today?
Dow now down to 10,697

[rovo]

Markets? I expect the stock indexes to be flat to slightly up today.

CORN: Anyone have any knowledge of the current expectations of this years corn crop? It is beginning to be harvested in my area and I've seen a lot more corn this year than in the past. Other areas have, I'm told, had a problem year with corn. Too much rain, no rain, you name it. Again, does anyone have any specific knowledge on corn?

[kadee79]

rovo, I don't have anything specific....just what I've seen w/my eyes and what I'm hearing on other boards (mostly gardening around the country).
We have been super dry here...crop yields are down. Tx. won't have any crop in most areas. They got burnt up before it got big enough to produce. Much of the Midwest had problems of one kind or other...late frosts, too much rain, hail....and may have had to replant in several areas which will mean a later harvest & smaller yields. Some areas have also already had freezes...but that won't effect dry corn stalks but it can make it harder for the farmer to get it out of the fields.

[rovo]

USDA report confirms smaller corn crop

Sep. 12, 2011 1:46pm .... By Phyllis Picklesimer, University of Illinois

The USDA's Sept. 12, 2011, Crop Production report confirmed expectations of a smaller U.S. corn crop than forecast in August, said a University of Illinois agricultural economist.

"The September soybean production forecast, however, is larger than the August forecast, and the forecast size of the foreign wheat, coarse grain, and soybean crops also exceed the August forecasts," said Darrel Good.

The 2011 U.S. corn crop is now forecast at 12.497 billion bushels, 50 million larger than the 2010 crop, but 417 million smaller than the August forecast.

The lower forecast reflects a U.S. average yield of 148.1 bushels, compared to 153 bushels forecast last month. Yield expectations were reduced by 10 bushels in Iowa; 9 bushels in Illinois; 6 bushels in Missouri and Nebraska; and 5 bushels in Indiana, Kansas and Ohio.

Forecast yields were increased for a few states, including Michigan. The U.S. average yield projection is near the average market expectation.

In a separate report, the USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board increased the estimate of corn consumption during the year ended Aug. 31, 2011, by 20 million bushels (10 million each for domestic processing and exports). Sept. 1, 2011, corn stocks are now forecast at 920 million bushels.

"Actual stocks will be revealed in the USDA's September Grain Stocks report to be released on Sept. 30," Good said.

For the current marketing year, the smaller production forecast forced a reduction in the projected level of consumption and year-ending stocks. Projections were reduced by 200 million bushels for feed and residual use and 100 million bushels each for domestic processing and exports.

Sept. 1, 2012, stocks are projected at 672 million bushels, and the 2011-12 marketing year average farm price is projected in a range of $6.50 to $7.50, 30 cents higher than the August projection and well above the $5.20 average of the past year.

Foreign production numbers

"The forecasts of corn production in 2011-12 were increased for Argentina, Brazil, and the Ukraine, but reduced for Egypt and Canada. The projection of ending stocks outside the United States is slightly larger than projected last month, but smaller than stocks at the beginning of the year," Good said.

The U.S. average soybean yield is now forecast at 41.8 bushels, 1.7 bushels below the 2010 average, but 0.4 bushel above the August forecast.

The yield forecast was unchanged for Illinois; was reduced by 1 bushel for Indiana, and Iowa; and was increased for Michigan (3 bushels), Minnesota (1 bushel), Nebraska (3 bushels), and Ohio (2 bushels).

The 2011 U.S. soybean crop is forecast at 3.085 billion bushels, 244 million smaller than the 2010 crop, but 29 million larger than the August forecast.

The USDA's September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report reflected an increase of 5 million bushels in the projection of the domestic soybean crush during the year ended Aug. 31, 2011.

"For the current year, the projection of U.S. exports was increased by 15 million bushels. Stocks of U.S. soybeans are expected to total 225 million bushels on Sept. 1, 2011, and 165 million on Sept. 1, 2012," Good said.

The 2011-12 marketing year average farm price is projected in a range of $12.65 to $14.65, 15 cents higher than the August forecast and well above the $11.35 average of the past year.

The forecast of 2011-12 foreign soybean production was increased marginally (0.4 percent), as was the projection of year-ending stocks outside the United States. Those stocks, however, are expected to be smaller than at the beginning of the year.

"For wheat, the USDA increased the forecast size of the 2011-12 crops for Canada, the European Union, and the Ukraine. World ending stocks are projected to be larger than forecast last month and slightly larger than stocks at the beginning of the year," he said.

For the United States, the projection of food use of wheat during the current marketing year was reduced by 5 million bushels, and the projection of exports was reduced by 75 million bushels.

Year-ending stocks are projected at 761 million bushels, 90 million larger than projected last month, but 100 million smaller than stocks at the start of the year. The 2011-12 marketing year average farm price is projected in a range of $7.35 to $8.35, well above the $5.70 average of the previous year.

"Taken together, the September USDA reports are negative for near-term soybean and wheat price prospects. Many observers, however, believe the soybean production forecast will be reduced in October," Good said.

Good said the reports were generally supportive for corn prices. Some analysts interpreted the USDA's sharp reduction in the forecast of corn consumption as a sign of significant demand weakness.

"The reduction, however, was more a statement of availability. Some corn demand weakness is anticipated in 2012, but for now, prices will have to stay high in order to trim consumption. There is also some expectation that the October production forecast will be slightly smaller than the September forecast," he added.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, September 29th 2011
Dow 11,038
Nasdaq 2,447
S&P 500 1,145
Transportation index 4267
Utility index 434.68
Gold $1614oz
Platinum $1525
Silver $30.37 oz
Copper $3.2125
Oil $81.94barrel
Gasoline $2.6118 gallon,NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.759
Heating oil $2.92 Gallon
Wheat $6.54 bushel
Corn $632.50 bushel
10 yr treasury $101.45
Euro $1.35.57
Canadian dollar $96.94
Yen $76.73

[Value Buy]

The markets are all pretty skittish right now.
All commodities seem to be deflating a little bit. Whether this is due to economic slowdown around the world, or European investors being forced into liquidation (as well as some hedge funds here)
has not been figured out yet.
The stock markets do not know where they want to go. I know we are being taken for a ride, parroting whatever the markets in Europe do in the morning before we open, but I am beginning to think we are looking at the fall of 2008 all over again. Even if Europe solves the Greek crisis, I do not think they can pull it off for Spain and Italy.
I am concerned the stock markets might tank again just like in 2008 before and after our Presidential election.

edited for spelling...

[rovo]

Value Buy, I too dislike the tone of the markets of late but there is a lot going on with the end of the quarter. Europe? Who knows what the outcome will be but they certainly have a vested interest in not allowing a collapse. Every day that passes is hopefully bringing Europe closer to a solution. Maybe once we see what some of the earnings look like in another week or so, things may calm down a bit. I've been gathering cash but I'm holding onto my main positions.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, October 3rd, 2011
Dow 10,655
Nasdaq 2,335.83
S&P 500 1,099
Transportation index 4038
Utility index 423.
Gold $1665oz
Platinum $1513
Silver $30.68 oz
Copper $3.051
Oil $76.35 barrel
Gasoline $2.5065 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.613
Heating oil $2.823 Gallon
Wheat $5.91 bushel
Corn $620.50 bushel
10 yr treasury $103.31
Euro $1.319
Canadian dollar $94.75
Yen $76.56

Dow is only down 90 points from September 16th, and gold is only slightly higher, so maybe we are not in bad of shape as I am contemplating.
Soft commodities and oil complex continue their downward trends
Stocks continue to be led by the European economic crisis, translating into our banking stocks here, to be hammered. The S&P 500 has fallen thru a major support level today, so who knows where we are going?
I am conflicted, whether we are going to repeat the 2008 stock debacle. Most stock pundits say no, we are better off than we were then. Of course, these were the same people that told us we had nothing to really worry about in 2008........
There is good news. With commodities dropping, we will be able to fill our gas tanks, although no one will be driving to work, as they have all been laid off.
We will be able to feed ourselves corn flakes and Wonder bread, as corn and wheat are dropping.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, October 19th, 2011
Dow 11,504
Nasdaq 2,604
S&P 500 1,209.88
Transportation index 4636
Utility index 442.41
Gold $1,647 oz
Platinum $1523
Silver $31.277 oz
Copper $3.258
Oil $86.11 barrel
Gasoline $2.671 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.585
Heating oil $2.98 Gallon
Wheat $6.17 bushel
Corn $6.38 bushel
10 yr treasury $103.31
Euro $1.319
Canadian dollar $94.75
Yen $76.56

Euro is stronger than it deserves. Still waiting for Europe to realize they cannot save their economic albatross. Greece is burning.....
Oil complex has heated up lately, but looks like it is topping out again. Will be interesting to see what happens now with the entire oil complex.
Copper has recovered a little, and gold and silver holding steady.
Soft commodities not doing much right now. Have to wait and see if any countries will have any money to import grains this year, other than Russia, China, and oil sheikdoms.
Stocks? Just looking for any reason to collapse.....look at Apple as an example, just printing money, and yet, drops 5% on results.
Myself, I think stocks will rally in November and first two weeks of December.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, November 10, 2011
Dow 11,893
Nasdaq 2,625
S&P 500 1,239.07
Transportation index 4,840.92
Utility index 447.07
Gold $1,763.60 oz
Platinum $1636
Silver $34.01 oz
Copper $3.38
Oil $97.61 barrel
Gasoline $2.635 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.631
Heating oil $3.14 Gallon
Wheat $6.2150 bushel
Corn $6.475 bushel
10 yr treasury $99.4844
Euro $1.361
Canadian dollar $101.88
Yen $77.53

The oil complex has heated up again, taking the Canadian dollar with it.
Euro, despite all the havoc in Europe has gained ground and gold has started climbing again.
Stocks are just all over the place, waiting for Europe to do something......

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, December 1, 2011
Dow 12,037
Nasdaq 2,628
S&P 500 1,245
Transportation index 4,931.8
Utility index 449.33
Gold $1,746 oz
Platinum $1562.90
Silver $32.84 oz
Copper $3.544
Oil $99.53 barrel
Gasoline $2.546 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.62
Heating oil $ $2.978 Gallon
Wheat $6.13 bushel
Corn $6.00 bushel
10 yr treasury $99.03
Euro $1.346
Canadian dollar $101.40
Yen $77.65
Pricesare at 1:20 pm Central time

Comparing to November 10 pricing, one would think the markets have been very steady,lol
It will be interesting to see how we end up come December 31st.
I am still down a little over 2 percent for the year in my portfolio.
Over weighted in banking, and not enough utilities in my longterm portfolio this year, and that pretty much sums up the losses.

[Value Buy]

Today's index prices, December 14th, 2011
Dow 11,823
Nasdaq 2,539
S&P 500 1,211
Transportation index 4,757
Utility index 440.77
Gold $1,571 oz
Platinum $1421
Silver $28.85 oz
Copper $3.279
Oil $95.03 barrel
Gasoline $2.5028 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.142
Heating oil $ $2.8315 Gallon
Wheat $5.8075 bushel
Corn $5.8075 bushel
10 yr treasury $100.93
Euro $1.2981
Canadian dollar $96.90
Yen $77.99

All markets were up for grabs today. We are awaiting the deleaveraging of Europe, and now it is taking the commodities down with them......
Gold, a SAFEHAVEN? Not so sure anymore.
I noticed that corn and wheat are the exact same price, but continue downward. Coffee,sugar, soybeans heading lower also. Sarbucks and Dunkin Donuts are going to be money makers, printing money for shareholders.
I see oj futures were actually up today, and with no winter weather heading into Florida, for the foreseeable future, I have to wonder about this trade too.
On a board somewhere, I thought the Euro would fall to around $1.19 by December. I was early on that one.
I think we might fall to about $1.05 to the dollar before Europe settles down.

[Value Buy]

Closing index prices, December 30th, 2011
Dow 112,217
Nasdaq 2,605.15
S&P 500 1,257.60
Transportation index 5,019.69
Utility index 464.68
Gold $1,566.0 oz
Platinum $1404.90
Silver $27.85 oz
Copper $3.436
Oil $98.93 barrel
Gasoline $2.6574 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.989
Heating oil $ $2.9350 Gallon
Wheat $6.5275 bushel
Corn $6.4650 bushel
10 yr treasury $101.0938
Euro $1.296
Canadian dollar $97.94
Yen $76.94

[Value Buy]

For 2012. I am adding OJ, Soybeans and Brent crude to the list
Dow 12,217
Nasdaq 2,605.15
S&P 500 1,257.60
Transportation index 5,019.69
Utility index 464.68
Gold $1,566.0 oz
Platinum $1404.90
Silver $27.85 oz
Copper $3.436
Brent crude $107.22 per barrel
WTI Oil $98.93 barrel
Gasoline $2.6574 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.989
Heating oil $ $2.9350 Gallon
Wheat $6.5275 bushel
Orange Juice $1.69
Corn $6.4650 bushel
Orange Juice $1.69
Soybeans $1198.50
10 yr treasury $101.0938
Euro $1.296
Canadian dollar $102.10
Yen $76.94