Brent Slides On Weak Chinese Exports
Brent crude oil lost its momentum on Tuesday morning after demand woes outweighed worries about the ongoing tension in Syria.
Commodities
Bullish momentum for oil now coming to an end?
Last week was a volatile one for crude oil futures, with the April contract closing the week at $102.58 a barrel having touched $105 per barrel at the start of the week.
Brent Slides Towards $108 On Chinese Exports
Brent crude oil fell below $109 to start the week on poor data from China, but supply worries helped underpin prices.
VIX continues to plot the ebb and flow
It’s been an interesting few weeks for equity markets, with the usual crop of doom and gloom ‘experts’ emerging from the undergrowth to call the top of the market, before disappearing equally quickly, realizing that they were wrong
Why Global Markets Could Be Derailed by the Ukraine
Turmoil in Emerging Markets hit investor confidence in January and, after a stellar February, the crisis in the Ukraine could lead to profit taking this month. Indeed, volatility spiked to a similar level and the S&P came off its all-time-high on Friday as fears started to set in.
Russia Turmoil Sends Crude Oil Higher
As we begin the week on increase turmoil between the Ukraine and Russia(RSX, quote) energy traders are seeing the highest crude oil prices since September of last year as producers are fear political driven supply disruption.
Bullish tone for gold set to continue
Gold’s recent bullish momentum appears to be holding firm for the time being, and indeed February has been a positive month with only minor pullbacks and reversals denting the move higher.
The sun starts to shine again for gold bugs
As I have written many times before it has been a torrid time for gold bugs, who have seen the precious metal collapse from the dizzy heights of almost $2000 per ounce to plumb the lows of $1200 per ounce.
The growling bears retreat into the woods!
Looks like the markets just about managed to avoid a mauling by the bears, who have now temporarily retreated to lick their wounds!
An historic week for the FED, but what of the markets?
The first FOMC meeting this week is an historic one for many reasons. First it is the last time Ben Bernanke will chair the meeting. Second, for the first time in the FED’s history the Chair will be held by a woman, and third with several new members the voting pattern will be scrutinised very closely by the markets.