Oil And Health Bill Vote Drag The Markets Down

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. The stock market is mixed today as traders continue to watch and listen to developments regarding the House's health care proposal and falling oil prices.

The markets suffered their worst day of the year on Tuesday with the DOW falling 237 points, this was largely due to fears that a prolonged battle in Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare could delay tax reform, deregulation and government spending.

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

U.S. crude oil futures have fallen 1.2% to a new 3 month low of $47.01 per barrel after the American Petroleum Institute said Tuesday afternoon that U.S. inventories increased by 4.5 million barrels.

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "Oil And Health Bill Vote Drag The Markets Down"

U.S. Dollar Slips As Stocks Fluctuate

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. The market is relatively unchanged today after erasing earlier losses as real estate and technology turned higher and traders turned their eyes to comments from several Federal Reserve officials.

The U.S. central bank raised interest rates for the second time in three months last week, but the "dot plot" that shows each member's expectations for where rates will be in coming years changed little from the last meeting.

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

Key levels to watch this week: Continue reading "U.S. Dollar Slips As Stocks Fluctuate"

How's Your Confidence?

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. The University of Michigan released its preliminary index of sentiment for March and it increased to 97.6 from 96.3 in February. Americans are more satisfied than any time in the previous 16 years with the current state of their finances and the economy.

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

Bloomberg Consumer Confidence
Chart courtesy of Bloomberg

Key levels to watch next week: Continue reading "How's Your Confidence?"

Solid February Jobs Report Clears The Way For The Fed

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen said last week that the central bank was prepared to raise interest rates at the March meeting unless something unexpected happens and that hasn't happened. A solid February jobs report certainly clears the way for the Fed to raise interest rates at its meeting next week.

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

The U.S. economy added 235,000 jobs last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said, adding the unemployment rate ticked lower to 4.7 percent. Payrolls came in a bit stronger than expected and the average hourly earnings accelerated to a 2.8% rate over the past year, the Labor Department said.

Key levels to watch next week: Continue reading "Solid February Jobs Report Clears The Way For The Fed"

Stocks Slip As March Rate Hike Seems Likely

Hello MarketClub members everywhere. Markets have backed off their recent highs as investors price in a near-certain March U.S. interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve. Market expectations for a rate hike are standing at 84.1% today, this according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. The FOMC is set to meet between March 14 and 15.

MarketClub's Mid-day Market Report

What's ahead for the markets this week: Continue reading "Stocks Slip As March Rate Hike Seems Likely"