New Week Intro Dec 27

The last trading week of the year is ahead of us, only a few economic announcements and a couple of earnings announcements. Important U.S. earnings this week: Monday: Carter’s (CRI), Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) Important U.S. economic data: Tuesday: ICSC-Goldman Store Sales, S&P Case-Shiller HPI, Consumer Confidence Wednesday: MBA  Purchase Applications, Chicago PMI, EIA Petroleum Status […]

U.S. Natural Gas Weekly – 26 December 2009

Working gas in storage fell 166 Bcf from the previous week. Natural gas futures are stuck with resistance despite natural gas stock figures were affirmative for the commodity price. Chart 1. Natural Gas Futures Chart 2. Working Gas in Underground Storage Compared with 5-year Range

U.S. Petroleum Weekly – 26 December 2009

Tainted Alpha is back after Christmas, first, I’ll update the weeklies. I hope you’ve all had a nice Christmas! Crude oil stocks fell 4.8 million barrels for week ending 18 December; Gasoline stocks decreased 0.8 million barrels; Distillate stocks fell 3 million barrels; Propane/propylene stocks fell 3.4 million barrels; Other oils were down 3.4 million […]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I’m on vacation next week, so maybe I’ll write a post or two, maybe not. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! Free Christmas Wallpapers

Not Enough Dollars To Buy Treasures?

It is getting harder for governments to buy United States Treasuries because the US’s shrinking current-account gap is reducing supply of dollars overseas… “The United States cannot force foreign governments to increase their holdings of Treasuries,” Zhu said, according to an audio recording of his remarks. “Double the holdings? It is definitely impossible.” “The US […]

Iraq – Iran Border Dispute

Nothing serious, but a hint on what could happen. WSJ: Iraqi Oil Officials Accuse Iranians of Holding Iraqi Oil Field.

Iran Nuclear Program And Potential Consequences For The Markets

Although this in not a blog on politics this particular situation could have enormous impact on markets. Iran and it’s nuclear ambitions and the further developments could pose a future large shock to the markets and unfortunately I think, time wise, something could happen very fast. Maybe early as next year. Nice outline of the […]

U.S. Natural Gas Weekly – 17 December 2009

Working gas in storage fell 207 Bcf from the previous week. Similar as with crude oil stocks this is a clear support to the natural gas price. Chart 1. Natural Gas Futures Chart 2. Working Gas in Underground Storage Compared with 5-year Range

Citgroup Equity Offering Becoming A Correction Catalyst?

Asia closed negative today, Europe is trading also negative -0.5% on average. After I started began to doubt my calls on TARP repayments as a potential correction catalyst the Citigroup equity offering has turn out to be full blown fiasco. The offering was priced yesterday at $3.15 per share, a 20+ percent lower the share […]

FED Leaves Federal Funds Rate Unchanged

The target rate remains the same; extended period phrase is here: The Committee will maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and continues to anticipate that economic conditions, including low rates of resource utilization, subdued inflation trends, and stable inflation expectations, are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels […]

U.S. Petroleum Weekly – 16 December 2009

Crude oil stocks were down 3.7 million barrels for week ending 11 December; Gasoline stocks rose 0.9 million barrels; Distillate stocks fell 3 million barrels; Propane/propylene stocks fell big 4 million barrels; Other oils were down 0.6 million barrels; Total crude oil and petroleum stocks decreased 12.7 million barrels. This is one of the most […]

VIX vs. Historical Volatility Divergence

Asia closed mixed ( Nikkei up, Hang Seng down, Shanghai Composite down) Europe is trading positive 1% on average. Nothing special in the news today. Everybody will be waiting for the FOMC policy meeting decision later today and then analyze every word in the statement. I would put my money on “nothing changes”. Belisarius is puzzled […]

Someone Is Going Offshore!

LOL Steve Bell: Someone is going offshore!

Credit Card Charge-Offs Weigh on the Markets

U.S. credit companies reported delinquencies and charge-offs for November. Nice sum-up by Reuters: U.S. credit card charge-offs resume climb. It doesn’t look nice. Looks like American Express (AXP) is most aggressive in addressing the situation and they are apparently managing to show some improvements. Capital One (COF) again with worsened numbers. Nice group of potential […]

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