The current price of key market indexes

[Value Buy]

Closing prices January, 6th
Dow 12,359
Nasdaq 2,674.22
S&P 500 1,277.81
Transportation index 5,069
Utility index 451.20
Gold $1,616.80 oz
Platinum $1408.20
Silver $28.68 oz
Copper $3.435
Brent crude $113.40 per barrel
WTI Oil $101.56 barrel
Gasoline $2.7516 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.062
Heating oil $ $3.070 Gallon
Wheat $6.24.75 bushel
Orange Juice $1.82
Corn $6.4350 bushel
Soybeans $1196.50
10 yr treasury $100.375
Euro $1.279
Canadian dollar $102.70
Yen $76.97


Stocks are off to a good start for the week.
Oil complex is going up again, and of course, demand has nothing to do with it. Politics in the Middle east and tensions.
Soft commodites down mostly, except for OJ due to frost concerns in Florida.

[Value Buy]

prices FEBRUARY, 10th 2:34PM, approximate
Dow 12,767
Nasdaq 2,900
S&P 500 1,339.3
Transportation index 5,245
Utility index 449.4
Gold $1,718.90 oz
Platinum $1659.20
Silver $33.45 oz
Copper $3.858
Brent crude $117.41 per barrel
WTI Oil $98.85 barrel
Gasoline $2.9795 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.473
Heating oil $ $3.185 Gallon
Wheat $6.30 bushel
Orange Juice $1.858
Corn $6.3175 bushel
Soybeans $1229.
10 yr treasury $100.375
Euro $1.3167
Canadian dollar $100.26
Yen $77.61

stocks have had an excellent run, up until today due to improving employment reports and spending sentiment. It is down today on palpitations over the Greek debt situation.
Metals complex is showing signs of rising also due to European concerns.
Soft commodities are sort of stagnant, due to global slowdown concerns.
I am worried about American recovery being hindered by rising gasoline prices. We seem to falter every time gasoline retail prices hit $4 at the pump, and we will be there in a month or so.
If Romney continues to lose out to Santorum, I think the our stock market will continue to slip.
Thoughts, anyone?

[ModE98]

Looking at the DJIA, based only on a technical chart view, the market may be a bit "toppish" and due for a little rest soon. Perhaps a near term pullback to around 12300 - 12400 range may be in the cards. And, yes the EU situation may be a good part of the pause.

Market can only climb the "wall of worry" so far without a "breather". It is certainly a moot year on any election prospects, and a number of factors occuring between now and November will have pro's/con's for either party. No runaway anticipated for either. Just my "2 cents" for what its really worth.

[Value Buy]

prices March, 9th 2:25PM, approximate
Dow 12,921
Nasdaq 2,985
S&P 500 1,370.71
Transportation index 5,164
Utility index 454.90
Gold $1,714 oz
Platinum $1685
Silver $34.35 oz
Copper $3.856
Brent crude $125.89 per barrel
WTI Oil $107.34 barrel
Gasoline $3.3347 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.3223
Heating oil $ $3.2619 Gallon
Wheat $6.43 bushel
Orange Juice $1.9345
Corn $6.45 bushel
Soybeans $1331.
10 yr treasury $99.703
Euro $1.311
Canadian dollar $101.02
Yen $82.44

[Value Buy]

prices March, 31st 3 PM, central time
Dow 13,212
Nasdaq 3,091
S&P 500 1,408
Transportation index 5,253
Utility index 458.54
Gold $1,670 oz
Platinum $1642
Silver $32.37 oz
Copper $3.787
Brent crude $123.00 per barrel
WTI Oil $103.07 barrel
Gasoline $3.325 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.12
Heating oil $ $3.17 Gallon
Wheat $6.60 bushel
Orange Juice $1.645
Corn $6.44 bushel
Soybeans $1403.
10 yr treasury $98.06
Euro $1.3335
Canadian dollar $99.75
Yen $82.86

Great end to the first quarter for stocks.
Market up over 8 % on the quarter. When this occurs, the market is from a historical perwpective, positive for the year.
Can the markets be anticipating the fall election results this early?

[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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
prices March, 31st 3 PM, central time
Dow 13,212
Nasdaq 3,091
S&P 500 1,408
Transportation index 5,253
Utility index 458.54
Gold $1,670 oz
Platinum $1642
Silver $32.37 oz
Copper $3.787
Brent crude $123.00 per barrel
WTI Oil $103.07 barrel
Gasoline $3.325 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.12
Heating oil $ $3.17 Gallon
Wheat $6.60 bushel
Orange Juice $1.645
Corn $6.44 bushel
Soybeans $1403.
10 yr treasury $98.06
Euro $1.3335
Canadian dollar $99.75
Yen $82.86

[Value Buy]

For the quarter, it looks like stocks were really the place to be, followed by NYH gasoline, soybeans and hard commodities.
It should be interesting when retail investors get their quarterly statements. They might decide to start investing in stocks again.

Again, the fast traders were the winners this quarter. Trading in and out of positions in any entity-stocks, commodities, currencies, was a winning trade with all the volitility throughout the quarter.
Myself the regular "hold them all year portfolio" did well, but I had some poor in and out trades, where I bet the wrong outcome.

2nd quarter, will be tricky.
Do high gasoline prices derail the improving economy driving stocks down?
Stick to gold and silver purchases, or go currencies?
European finances remain shakey, causing more investment here in the states?
Or, are the markets just anticipating the Presidential election results early?
Then, we have the situation with Iran and Israel to be decided.

Thoughts?

[Value Buy]

Tax day, Tuesday April 17th 3 pm central time
Dow 13,115
Nasdaq 3,042
S&P 500 1,390
Russell 2000 810.63
Transportation index 5,310
Utility index 458.98
Gold $1,651.20 oz
Platinum $1585
Silver $31.67 oz
Copper $3.645
Brent crude $118.62 per barrel
WTI Oil $104.20 barrel
Gasoline $3.233 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $1.951
Heating oil $ $3.12 Gallon
Wheat $6.15 bushel
Orange Juice $1.4795
Corn $6.1675 bushel
Soybeans $1425.75
Lumber 266.80
10 yr treasury $100.037
Euro $1.3126
Canadian dollar $99.04
Yen $80.86


I have added the Russell 2000 and Lumber futures to the list.
Should of always tracked the Russell.
Lumber, if it starts climbing, we will know the economy is finally approaching a sustained rally.
Big stock rally today, erasing most of this month's sell off, but for some reason it seems we rallied on Europe's big stock gains, rather than on any United States economic news.
The spread between Brent and WTI oil is breaking down.
I wonder if this is because Europe is expecting a larger (or longer) recession than previously thought?
Apple up on early trading, down on the opening, and then up big the rest of the day, might have been why we maintained a 200 point rise in the DOW for the entire day.
Anyone have any thoughts on the President's announcement of oil market manipulation, and absolutely no movement in these markets on his statements?
I expected a knee jerk sell-off, but obviously the traders are reading it as just more political campaigning with no truth behind his statement.

[Value Buy]

Friday April 27th 3 pm central time
Dow 13,228
Nasdaq 3,069
S&P 500 1,403
Russell 2000 825.47
Transportation index 5,267
Utility index 469.46
Gold $1,663.40 oz
Platinum $1575
Silver $32.35 oz
Copper $3.8315
Brent crude $119.70 per barrel
WTI Oil $104.75 barrel
Gasoline $3.20 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.195
Heating oil $ $3.18 Gallon
Wheat $6.50 bushel
Orange Juice $1.478
Corn $6.255 bushel
Soybeans $1493
Lumber 282.70
10 yr treasury $100.5156
Euro $1.3254
Canadian dollar $98.03
Yen $80.24

We seem to be under the influence of European economic concerns again.
Commodities pretty quiet, but copper and lumber show some life, still very volatile.
Dow near a four year high.
Stock quarterly announcements were basically positive, up til yesterday. Many major stock components reported disappointing earnings breaking a string of good reports.
National GDP seems to have stalled also, pointing to a still weak national economy.

[Trongersoll]

I wonder how many Pennies make a Pound.

[ModE98]

Mr. T ..... are we talking about US or other country pennies? And another thing to consider is how used and worn down they may be. Am sure new coins would weigh in more than well used coins, thus one would be needing extra used pennies. ;D

Key commodities can signal how inflationary or deflationary the economy may be. It can, with intelligent diagnosis, lead one to more prudent investing.

[Trongersoll]

I was talking US Pennies. Of course, selling them for the copper is illegal and would get ya a visit from the SS, but there have been, i believe, times in the past where Pennies were worth more than for face value for the copper in them.

[ModE98]

Reports indicate it costs the US Mint two cents to produce one penny. Thus, the call by some to stop penny production. Oh well, guess we are forced to live with it.... would aluminium pennies be less costly? Maybe a plastic penny? Just s thought for curious minds.

[The Virginian]

Pennies have been made from Bronze, Copper-Nickel, Steel (1943), Copper Alloy, Copper Plated Zinc

[ModE98]

Yes indeed they have. Need a less costly alternative to at least break even on cost of production, if at all possible. Just a thought for cutting government expenditures. It would ba a start. Do the little things first and work up to the bigger.

[Deleted]

oil back under $100 today. Trend or temporary blip?

[Value Buy]

May 4, 2012 10:28:16 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

oil back under $100 today. Trend or temporary blip?

Well, everything is "temporary" in one direction or the other in the markets.
Down to $93.22 today.

[Value Buy]

Monday, May 15th
Dow 12,632
Nasdaq 2,893.76
S&P 500 1,330.66
Russell 2000 777.36
Transportation index 5,106.99
Utility index 467.94
Gold $1,542.70 oz
Platinum $1435
Silver $27.635 oz
Copper $3.501
Brent crude $111.68 per barrel
WTI Oil $93.22 barrel
Gasoline $2.944 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.516
Heating oil $ $2.92 Gallon
Wheat $6.09 bushel
Orange Juice $1.114
Corn $5.975 bushel
Soybeans $1413
Lumber 292.40
10 yr treasury $99.843
Euro $127.34
Canadian dollar $99.35
Yen $80.33

Europe is really tearing our markets in the last few days.
Euro is finally falling to it's actual value, gold and precious metals coming down.
Oil trade seems to be unwinding, might actually help the US economy this summer, but it looks like the traders are switching to natural gas for a trade.
Pundits say oil is falling because the dollar is strengthening, Euro falling.
OJ contracts are really dropping now. Assume this is due to summer season, with no weather issues for Florida.
Grains are just down a little, but look at lumber.
It is strengthening. Sign of an economic recovery?

My stock portfolio is losing steam giving back about 45% of the gains from the first of the year.

[Value Buy]

May 31st ending prices
Dow 12,393
Nasdaq 2,837.36
S&P 500 1,313.22
Russell 2000 761.82
Transportation index 5,074.7
Utility index 468.04
Gold $1,560.90 oz
Platinum $1400.50
Silver $27.765 oz
Copper $3.3740
Brent crude $101.90 per barrel
WTI Oil $96.43 barrel
Gasoline $2.7162 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.377
Heating oil $ $2.7062 Gallon
Wheat $6.4325 bushel
Orange Juice $1.1205
Corn $5.5925 bushel
Soybeans $1342
Lumber 282.90
10 yr treasury $101.67
Euro $123.59
Canadian dollar $96.47
Yen $78.44

Oil complex continues to come down, along with the Euro
Stocks are faltering due to uncertainity in Europe and the economy here in the states.
Next post will have closing prices for June 1st, which was a slight calamity......

[Value Buy]

Dow 12,107
Nasdaq 2,747.48
S&P 500 1,278.04
Russell 2000 737.42
Transportation index 4,911.87
Utility index 464.31
Gold $1,622.10 oz
Platinum $1433.20
Silver $28.512 oz
Copper $3.31.35
Brent crude $98.82 per barrel
WTI Oil $82.23 barrel
Gasoline $2.6568 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.3236
Heating oil $ $2.7062 Gallon
Wheat $6.1225 bushel
Orange Juice $1.1170
Corn $551.50 bushel
Soybeans $1344.25
Lumber 280.10
10 yr treasury $102.75
Euro $124.13
Canadian dollar $95.94
Yen $77.99

Oil complex has fallen dramatically, stocks fell due to the USA jobs report, and continue fear in Europe, and we saw a flight to safety in gold for the first time in quite a while.

Stocks are now negative for the year wiping out all the gains we made in the first four months.
Sell in May and go away ruled this year.
I wonder if the Facebook debacle had a little bit to do with stocks falling as the individual investor felt he was taken advantage of again by Wallstreet, although I think there was more greed involved in that stock sale to the public on both sides of the trade.
In any event, the individual investor stopped buying anything the last two weeks of the month, and that is never considered a positive for the market.
Lumber is slipping, which probably means housing is not going to recover this summer, also holding back our economic recovery.

Who knows, things may change to the positive this month, but it looks like we are seeing a repeat of the 8th year in the Bush II Presdency where nothing seemed to go correctly for the markets.

[Value Buy]

Frday June 15th closing prices
Dow 12,767.17
Nasdaq 2,872.80
S&P 500 1,342.83
Russell 2000 771.36
Transportation index 5101.24
Utility index 483.05
Gold $1,628.30 oz
Platinum $1486.40
Silver $28.605 oz
Copper $3.485
Brent crude $97.56 per barrel
WTI Oil $84.02 barrel
Gasoline $2.6985 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.467
Heating oil $ $2.6452 Gallon
Wheat $609.50 bushel
Orange Juice $1.093
Corn $579.50 bushel
Soybeans $1376
Lumber 274.90
10 yr treasury $101.547
Euro $126.54
Canadian dollar $97.81
Yen $78.65

[Value Buy]

Friday June 29th closing prices
Dow 12,880.09
Nasdaq 2,935.05
S&P 500 1,362.16
Russell 2000 798.49
Transportation index 5209.18
Utility index 481.36
Gold $1,598.40 oz
Platinum $1452.10
Silver $27.46 oz
Copper $3.496
Brent crude $97.57 per barrel
WTI Oil $84.85 barrel
Gasoline $2.6309 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.822
Heating oil $ $2.6963 Gallon
Wheat $757.27 bushel
Orange Juice $1.2265
Corn $672.50 bushel
Soybeans $1427.75
Lumber 273.40
10 yr treasury $100.0219
Euro $126.58
Canadian dollar $98.35
Yen $79.77

Crazy day today gold and oil all on fire today due to the European summit, where they supposedly are putting the European Union back together.

Grain commodities way up due to lack of rain in the Midwest.

[Value Buy]

July 31st closing prices
Dow 13,008
NASDAQ 2,932.52
S&P 500 1,379.33
Russell 2000 786.80
Transportation index 5088
Utility index 492.60
Gold $1,616.40 oz
Platinum $1416.40
Silver $27.895 oz
Copper $3.414
Brent crude $104.14 per barrel
WTI Oil $87.40 barrel
Gasoline $2.9146 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.225
Heating oil $ $2.8714 Gallon
Wheat $8.88 bushel
Orange Juice $1.0850
Corn $8.05 bushel
Soybeans $1641.
Lumber 280.90
10 yr treasury $102.484
Euro $123.03
Canadian dollar $99.82
Yen $78.13
Live cattle $124.40
Lean hogs $80.30

Interesting markets. Stocks have not collapsed, as I felt they would, on another thread.
Food commodities, corn wheat, on fire due to drought predictions, and small crop potential.
I have added cattle and hogs to the list, as farmers are sending livestock to slaughter earlier than usual, as some farmers are unable to feed livestock at the inflated prices they now pay for feed.
Price for cattle and hogs are down from early this year due to this, but possibly will soon take off as there will be a lack of animals going to market.

We still have to hear from Europe and the Fed this week, so we have potential fireworks that could propel the stock markets upward this week.
Or not.

[Value Buy]

Oil and gasoline complex has risen the last month, in anticipation of Fed easing.
I do not believe the Fed will ease this week.
September, maybe, but not now.
The price of oil may come down from here.

[Deleted]

Value - The Markets are in an Interesting area right now. Not going to go to much into our thoughts or why at this point (don't want to start an argument over POV's).
What we will say is from where we sit the Number that should peak interest from folks on the upper end is DJIA 13,250 - Both Getting there and closing above it at least twice in 10 market sessions -- On the Lower end DJIA 12,250 and any drop below that in any 3 Market sessions in a 15 Day (Market Days) Period.
If we can Breach 13,250 and get a close at least twice in 10 market sessions, we think some interesting things may start to happen - Conversely if we drop below 12,250 3 times in 15 Market sessions, we think it may be a rough ride down to maybe the Mid 10,000 range at worst..

We are still Long and plan on staying Long no matter what happens, Long Term Is our Outlook..

Just our thoughts..

[Value Buy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 15th prices
Dow 13,164
NASDAQ 3030.93
S&P 500 1,405.53
Russell 2000 804.26
Transportation index 5142
Utility index 481.37
Gold $1,606.30 oz
Platinum $1399
Silver $27.80 oz
Copper $3.359
Brent crude $116.55 per barrel
WTI Oil $94.45 barrel
Gasoline $3.078 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.764
Heating oil $ $2.8714 Gallon
Wheat $8.685 bushel
Orange Juice $1.25.30
Corn $8.0475 bushel
Soybeans $1637.25
Lumber 314.50
10 yr treasury $98.0469
Euro $123.01
Canadian dollar $98.852
Yen $79.07
Live cattle $126.65
Lean hogs $75.60

Surprisingly, commodities not doing much other than the oil complex. So much for $3 gasoline by Labor Day as they were predicting in June.
Stocks showing some life, ignoring Europe's problems right now.
I do not think the market is anticipating a Romney win in November, so that has not ignited stocks (yet)
Lumber is showing signs of life. Wonder if they are anticipating a housing recovery.

[clarkrl2]

droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

The dought conditions in the midwest have already caused higher corn prices. I live in west Kansas and this is a prolonged drought that has lasted several years. I talked to a local farmer today who said his irrigated land that under normal circumstances would produce 200 bushels of corn per acre will likely yield 150 bushels or less. Also due to the extreme heat the corn didn't germinate properly so much of the cob will be bare.

[tyfighter3]

Here is something I found interesting about India, gold trade.
www.marketwatch.com/story/india-second-quarter-gold-imports-fall-56-2012-08-16?link=MW_Nav_NV

[Value Buy]

September 4th opening prices
Dow 13,090.84
NASDAQ 3066.95
S&P 500 1,406.58
Russell 2000 812.09
Transportation index 5007.49
Utility index 468.21
Gold $1,692.30 oz
Platinum $1554.15
Silver $32.115 oz
Copper $3.4825
Brent crude $116.24 per barrel
WTI Oil $97.05 per barrel
Gasoline $2.9988 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $2.778
Heating oil $ $3.1696 Gallon
Wheat $8.9725 bushel
Orange Juice $1.319
Corn $8.08 bushel
Soybeans $1778.5
Lumber 288.10
10 yr treasury $100.7031
Euro $1.26
Canadian dollar $99.00
Yen $78.29
Live cattle $126.05
Lean hogs $74.175

Metals complex is climbing, stocks are flat, as are soft commodities.
Lumber has slumped, even though the housing market looks stronger.
Euro climbs despite potential flooding of Europe with easy Government loan buy backs
Little behind posting data due to holiday and political fun!

[Value Buy]

September ending prices
Dow 13,437
NASDAQ 3116.23
S&P 500 1,440.67
Russell 2000 837.45
Transportation index 4892.62
Utility index 475.75
Gold $1,71.10 oz
Platinum $1669.30
Silver $34.577 oz
Copper $3.758
Brent crude $112.22 per barrel
WTI Oil $92.19 per barrel
Gasoline $3.342 gallon, NY Harbor
Natural gas $3.023
Heating oil $ $3.1694 Gallon
Wheat $9.025 bushel
Orange Juice $1.1315
Corn $7.5625 bushel
Soybeans $1601.00
Lumber $279.
10 yr treasury $99.9219
Euro $1.2854
Canadian dollar $1.017
Yen $77.90
Live cattle $124.70
Lean hogs $73.75

Did not realize I never posted the Sptember 15th numbers......
Gasoline futures were an abnormal close, due to shorts coming in covering positions driving the price artificially high for the end of the month number
Natural gas has shown strong numbers, anticipating more need for heat in the east, etc, although there is ample supply available.
The grain commodities are falling from their highs, as harvest numbers do not look as bad as originally thought, especially for soybeans
September for all the public complaining on CNBC etc, has been an excellent month for stocks.
Ordinarily I would say the market sees a Romney win, but all the polls show it's Obama's to lose, so I am in a quandry as to whether we will see gains in stocks this month.
Please note the transportation index does not acknowledge the stock run up. Stock indexes always seem to have needed the transportation index to reach higher highs, to signal a true bull ( or I should say, positive?) market in stocks.