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01 Aug 2008 Recession – Recovery

Posted at 15:19h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

Falling oil prices, an improving credit picture, and a few stronger-than-expected corporate earnings put a floor under equity markets that began a free-fall in June. The S&P 500 is down only 1% compared to a decline of 9% in June. The Nasdaq is up 1.5% for July following its 9% decline in June. Global equity markets demonstrated a similar pattern.

25 Jul 2008 Markets Rally on Oil Prices and Bank Reports

Posted at 15:31h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

On the 14^th of this month, the collective global investor decided oil was entirely too expensive. It is down nearly 15% from its peak of $147.27 per barrel. During the same period the Dow Jones Industrial average rallied 2.7%, the small cap Russell 2000 jumped 5.7%, and the tech-laden Nasdaq, 3%. Some better-than-expected news from leading banks added fuel to the rally.

11 Jul 2008 Markets Decline on Record Oil and Continued Credit Woes

Posted at 15:34h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

Equity markets in the US continued the longest stretch of weekly losses for the S&P 500 Index in four years. Despite good news of a smaller trade deficit and better-than-expected jobs data, investors continued to worry about oil, credit, inflation, and consumer spending.

06 Jun 2008 Capitulation?

Posted at 15:39h in The Friday Brief by Sam Bass Jr.

The oil bulls stampeded last night and the herd is growing. Crude rose more than $8 per barrel on a Morgan Stanley report that Asia is taking an unprecedented share of Middle Eastern exports. The report said that oil could reach $150 per barrel within the month. Almost on cue, Nigerian workers threaten to strike if Chevron fails to meet its demands.