Tag: market news

Gold falls on uncertainty over U.S. budget talks

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Investors are selling gold as the end of the year draws closer without a compromise in hand for the U.S. budget.

Gold for February delivery dropped $21.10 to finish Thursday at $1,696.80 per ounce.

Investors are uncertain about what's ahead for the economy if Republicans and President Barack Obama fail to agree on a new budget. Without an agreement in place, tax increases and spending cuts will occur Jan. 1 that many economists believe could send the U.S. into a recession.

The Federal Reserve has announced measures to support the economy, which typically benefit gold and other commodities. But the Fed also predicted growth will be no more than 3 percent in 2013. It also expects the unemployment rate to remain at higher levels until late 2015. The unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in November. Continue reading "Gold falls on uncertainty over U.S. budget talks" →

Stocks gain on budget talk optimism, Fed stimulus

Posted on by The INO.com Team

The stock market showed signs of life Tuesday following hopeful signs of progress in budget talks being held in Washington. The Standard & Poor's 500 had its biggest gain this month.

The Dow gained 78.56 points to 13,248.44, after climbing as much as 137 points earlier. The Standard & Poor's 500 index finished up 9.29 points at 1,427.84. Both the Dow and the S&P have risen for five straight days.

The Nasdaq composite ended up 35.34 points at 3,022.30.

Delta Air Lines rose 52 cents, or 5.1 percent, to $10.66 after the company said it will buy almost half of Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic for $360 million as it seeks a bigger share of the lucrative New York-to-London travel market.

AIG gained $1.90 to $35.26 after the U.S. Treasury Department said it has sold the rest of its stake in the insurer. AIG was bailed out by the government after nearly collapsing during the 2008 financial crisis. Continue reading "Stocks gain on budget talk optimism, Fed stimulus" →

Monday Morning Energy Commentary

Posted on by The INO.com Team

January crude oil was slightly higher overnight as it extends the trading range of the past six weeks. Stochastics and the RSI are neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 89.80 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted. If January renews the decline off September's high, the 87% retracement level of the June-September rally crossing at 82.36 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 89.80. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 93.98. First support is the reaction low crossing at 84.53. Second support is the 87% retracement level of the June-September rally crossing at 82.36.

January heating oil was slightly higher overnight while extending the trading range of the past six weeks. Stochastics and the RSI are turning bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near-term. If January renews November's rally, the reaction high crossing at 318.00 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20-day moving average crossing at 302.66 would confirm that a short-term top has been posted while opening the door for sideways to lower prices into early-December. First resistance is November's high crossing at 318.00. Second resistance is October's high crossing at 321.44. First support is the 20-day moving average crossing at 302.66. Second support is November's low crossing at 293.87. Continue reading "Monday Morning Energy Commentary" →

All eyes on the Fiscal Cliff today

Posted on by The INO.com Team

After moving notably higher last week, stocks may move back to the downside in early trading on Monday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a moderately lower open for the markets, with the Dow futures down by 37 points.

Lingering concerns about the looming fiscal cliff may generate selling pressure as U.S. lawmakers get back to work following the Thanksgiving recess.

While leaders of both parties have called for compromise, the issues of taxes on the wealthy and entitlement reform are likely to remain major sticking points. Continue reading "All eyes on the Fiscal Cliff today" →

Stocks open lower; HP takes a big hit

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Stocks sank early Tuesday on Wall Street. Hewlett-Packard stock suffered a big decline after its executives said that a company HP bought for $10 billion last year lied about its finances.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 54 points to 12,741 just after the opening bell. HP, one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow, declined $1.87, or 14 percent, to $11.43.

Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman said that there were "serious accounting improprities, disclosure failures and outright misrepresentations" at the company, Autonomy, which makes search engines. She stopped short of alleging fraud.

HP took an $8.8 billion charge in its latest quarter to bring the accounting value of Autonomy in line with its real value. Continue reading "Stocks open lower; HP takes a big hit" →