Mr King writes a Letter - May 15, 2008 10:04

Dear Gordon Alistair, Firstly I would like to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead the Bank of England for another term. Now that I am securely in post, I feel I can relax a little and say more of what is on my mind. Of course that may not sit comfortably […]

Gold Bounces into US Open - May 14, 2008 14:33

THE PRICE OF GOLD BULLION fell at the opening in London on Wednesday, slipping to a 7-session low of $860.50 per ounce before bouncing almost 1.0% as New York opened for business and the US Dollar fell against the Euro.

Credit markets through the worst? - May 14, 2008 8:37

Commentary recently from Central Bank members and analysts alike have suggested the possibility that the US credit turmoil has seen its climax and is beginning to fade. Fed Chief Ben Bernanke added to the sentiment today in his comments. While he said the situation is certainly note ideal, credit markets appear to be in much […]

Gold settles back below $900 - May 9, 2008 9:57

Oil and retail gas prices set new records again today (May 8). Oil futures climbed over $124 per barrel in New York trade, while the national retail price index showed an average of $3.65 per gallon. The latest surged in oil and gas have coincided with the recent modest slide in the dollar. Contrary to […]

The Bernanke Conundrum - May 8, 2008 9:16

With the US Federal Reserve cutting its Fed Fund Rate to 2%, presumably to aid the cost of borrowing and allow an expansion of lending that will lift the US economy from the doldrums you would expect to see an expansion of bank business. Not so according to the latest Fed’s Senior Loan Officer Opinion […]

Oil predicted to reach $200 - May 7, 2008 9:08

A new Goldman Sachs report released Tuesday (May 6) forecasts oil to reach between $150 and $200 within two years. This prompted oil futures to clear $123 per barrel just a couple days after dipping to $111. Supply shortage concerns also ran through the market as speculators flying high on the forecast reacted to any […]

April 08 Non-Manufacturing ISM Report – It Went Up? - May 6, 2008 10:15

The Non-Manufacturing ISM report on business was released to day with a headline figure of 52% for the Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI), indicating that conditions had returned to expansion after a full Quarter of contraction. However the devil is in the details and a look at the components that make up the headline number shows a […]

GDP boosts stocks, dollar, lowers oil - May 2, 2008 9:20

Analysts, economists, investors, and Americans in general were surprised at Wednesday’s gross domestic product estimate that showed growth of .6 percent for the US economy during the first quarter of 2008. This was slightly better than the general consensus, and surprised some analysts who believed the economy might have contracted, indicating possible recession, during the […]

The Fed says Mission Accomplished - May 1, 2008 12:10

As we know the Federal Reserve cut rates by 0.25% on Wednesday to bring the Fed Fund rates down to 2% with the discount rate also cut 0.25% to 2.25%. Of more interest though was the accompanying statement, especially when compared to the release made in March after the 0.75% cut.