London Stocks End Up After Late Session Bounce

FTSE 100 ends up 0.3% at 5723.67, bouncing from the session’s lows. “The reversal is yet another encouraging sign that there is still risk appetite out there if stocks suddenly present another buying opportunity,” a local broker says. Continue Reading…

May soybeans were trading 4 cents higher late in the overnight session. China futures were higher following a holiday closure. Palm oil futures in Malaysia were weaker because of big picture macro economic issues. Asian equity markets were mostly weaker overnight but the Shanghai equity market recovered to close in positive ground. Continue Reading…

May natural gas prices broke down to a new three-day low during the early morning hours and they also broke down below yesterday’s inside day trading range. While prices were able to post a modest rebound they remain near unchanged levels. Continue Reading…

May wheat was trading 1 1/4 cents higher late in the overnight session. Outside market forces look negative again today with equities trading weaker and the dollar posting some initial strength. Continue Reading…

Like gold, the silver market is showing some recovery action, but it would not seem like the overall environment is conducive to the bull case. However, May silver prices from the highs this week, have seen a decline of $2.31 an ounce and that probably represents a modestly overdone short term technical condition. Continue Reading…

May cocoa was unable to hold early gains this morning and has fallen back towards unchanged levels, although prices are staying clear of yesterday’s 21/2-month low for now. Cocoa prices have lost more than 11% in value during the past six sessions, which is likely to lead to additional technically-based selling if the market is unable to find any near-term support. Continue Reading…

Outside market forces are weaker this morning, as the stock market was down overnight and the USD was sharply higher. A sharp break in the stock market yesterday triggered a steep sell-off in cotton. Continue Reading…

From the initial overnight news flow it would appear that the Thursday US trade will start out facing a risk off environment. In addition to another up tick in Spanish yields, the spread
between Spanish and German debt is also expanding again. Continue Reading…

Not surprisingly the US Treasury market has continued on a positive track as residual concerns toward the Euro zone continues to provide a measure of safe haven interest. Apparently Spanish yields have continued to fan debt concerns as their spread with German debt is hinting at deterioration in confidence that Spain will be able to enforce its budget constraints. Continue Reading…

The sugar market looks like it could consolidate today, possibly test yesterday’s lows if outside market forces turn negative. Overnight the stock market traded steady to lower. With the Unemployment Report out tomorrow, we would expect the markets to quiet down today, unless traders get anxious to exit ahead of the long weekend. Continue Reading…