Ethanol Rises for Second Day on Blending Speculation and Exports

Ethanol Rises for Second Day on Blending Speculation and Exports - Bloomberg


Ethanol futures rose a second day in Chicago on speculation that blending will rise and on export demand. Futures climbed on speculation that the biofuel’s discount to gasoline, which has exceeded $1 for most of the past month, will boost blending consumption as refiners pocket the difference between the two fuels. Exports in January, the most recent month data is available from the Energy Department, were 1.82 million barrels, up 33 percent from a year earlier.

Of Debt, Gold and Okun’s Law

Of Debt, Gold and Okun’s Law | Resource Investor


Is gold’s run over? Let’s look at some facts. The amount of money the federal government owes to its creditors, combined with IOUs to government retirement and other programs, now tops $15.23 trillion. That's roughly equal to the value of all goods and services the US economy produces in one year: $15.17 trillion as of September, 2011.

Oil Options Volatility Falls as Futures Stay in Range

Oil Options Volatility Falls as Futures Stay in Range - BloombergOil options volatility fell to the lowest in more than a year as the underlying futures advanced 44 cents, staying within the trading range they’ve been in since April 4. Implied volatility for at-the-money options expiring in June, a measure of expected price swings in futures and a gauge of options prices, was 23.57 percent at 3:08 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange, compared with 24.23 percent yesterday. It was the fourth straight decline and lowest level since at least March 4, 2011.

Silver Miners Building for Breakout

Silver Miners Building for Breakout: Chris Marchese | Resource Investor


The health of the US economy may not be quite as robust as some government statistics indicate and more stimulus could be on the way, despite what the Fed may be saying. Regardless of which way the economy goes, Chris Marchese, contributor to The Morgan Report, tells us in this interview with The Gold Report that precious metals will go higher as investors seek protection from the effects of monetary policies that don't work. In the process, he expects that greatly undervalued mining shares of silver producers will again shine in the eyes of investors and highlights several of his favorites at current bargain prices.

What are the Key Themes in Gold?

What are the Key Themes in Gold? | Resource InvestorThe World Gold Council, the global authority on gold and its uses, recently released its overview of the first quarter of 2012. While there are many factors affecting gold these days, the report breaks down three key themes for gold that took place in the first quarter.

Energy market manipulation case garners $14 million in fines

Energy market manipulation case garners $14 million in finesWashington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced that it obtained $14 million in civil monetary penalties and disgorgement pursuant to a federal court consent order against defendants Optiver Holding BV, a global proprietary trading company headquartered in the Netherlands, and two subsidiaries – Optiver US, LLC (Optiver), a Chicago-based corporation, and Optiver VOF, a Dutch company, as well as against then company officers who were responsible for the unlawful trading: Randal Meijer, Bastiaan van Kempen, and Christopher Dowson, the only individual defendant who remains employed by Optiver.

Fed’s interest rate forecasts may confuse more than clarify

Fed’s interest rate forecasts may confuse more than clarifyApril 24 (Bloomberg) -- The Federal Reserve tried to bring more clarity to policy making in January by releasing Fed officials’ forecasts for interest rates. Instead, it may be creating confusion.

CME Group sells CBOT building

CME Group sells CBOT buildingCHICAGO, April 23, 2012 – CME Group today announced the sale of two of the three buildings that comprise the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Building Complex located at 141 W. Jackson to a joint venture between GlenStar Properties LLC and USAA Real Estate Company.

Natural gas bottom unlikely despite late snow

Natural gas bottom unlikely despite late snowNatural gas pops on a last blast of snow and cold at the end of April. A nor’easter seemed to give natural gas bulls hope that perhaps a bottom may be in for natural gas or perhaps it is just a snow job. As tempting as it might be to believe in a bottom, the truth is that it's unlikely that this last blast of winter can offer any real long-term support to the natural gas market. Despite the fact that the storm dumped as much as 10 inches of snow in some cities and knocked out power in others it is still too little too late to save this poor market.

MF Global customers to receive $685 million more, judge says

MF Global customers to receive $685 million more, judge saysApril 24 (Bloomberg) -- A trustee for MF Global Inc., the failed brokerage, can distribute $685 million more to customers, bringing them from 72% to about 80% of what they’re owed, a judge ruled.

NFA offers help in criminal investigation of MF Global

NFA offers help in criminal investigation of MF GlobalThe National Futures Association is offering its help to the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Illinois in its investigation of potential criminal conduct surrounding the collapse of MF Global Inc.

RATE FUTURES REPORT: Traders Speculate On Short-Term Rate Rise

RATE FUTURES REPORT: Traders Speculate On Short-Term Rate Rise - WSJ.comCHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Some interest rate futures traders believe it's necessary to position themselves for short-term yields to rise at a faster pace even though the U.S. Federal Reserve is committed to keeping rates low for a prolonged period.

Cattle Futures Tumble on Mad-Cow Rumor

Cattle Futures Tumble on Mad-Cow Rumor - MarketBeat - WSJCattle futures took a spill after rumors that a case of mad cow had been uncovered roiled the market. The USDA has since confirmed that a new case of mad-cow disease was found in a dairy cow in central California, the fourth case in the U.S., and the first since 2006. The diseased cow never entered the food supply, the USDA said.

Euro Gains Versus Most Peers as Auctions Ease Concern

Euro Gains Versus Most Peers as Auctions Ease Concern - BusinessweekThe euro strengthened against most of its major counterparts after Spain, Italy and the Netherlands sold bonds, damping concern the region’s sovereign-debt crisis is worsening.

U.S. gasoline futures fall in 7 of last 8 days

U.S. gasoline futures fall in 7 of last 8 days - MarketWatchNEW YORK -(MarketWatch)- U.S. gasoline futures prices have dropped 16 cents a gallon, with declines in seven of the past eight trading days, as more U.S. crude becomes available for refining into gasoline and fears about a shortage of refining capacity fades.