10/10/14 Copper futures prices traded mostly sideways this week.
The recent rise in the U.S. dollar has put most commodity
sectors in bear market territory. The recent extreme volatility
in the stock market may have something to do with the commodity
sell off. Margin calls from big traders in stocks may have to
sell their commodity holdings and vice versa. The general
malaise of many economies around the globe is also a bearish
factor for the commodity sector.
9/27/14 Copper futures sold off this week. The commodity markets
in general have been pressured by the huge rally in the U.S.
dollar and the overall weakness in the global economy.
9/20/14 Copper futures prices sold off again this week. The
commodity markets have been very weak over the last month or two
as many emerging economies are not growing or growing much more
slowly than expected in the case of China. The recent vote in
Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom helped push more
assets towards the United States. This in turn pushed the U.S.
dollar to new highs. The strong dollar is making it very hard
for commodity bulls to gain any momentum to the upside.
9/12/14 Copper futures prices sold off again this week. The
recent run up in the U.S. dollar has put a lot of pressure on
commodities for the last few weeks. Assets are leaving the
European Union among other places around the world seeking safe
haven in the United States. The idea that Scotland may declare
independence next week from England and the United Kingdom also
has assets heading to America.
9/5/14 Copper futures prices traded sideways this week. An
abundance of good economic reports coming out of the United
States and weak economic reports coming out of the European
Union is pushing the U.S. dollar higher. The U.S. dollar index
hit a level this week not seen since July of 2013. A strong U.S.
dollar is bearish for dollar denominated commodities.
8/29/14 Copper future prices rose this week. The week before the
Labor Day weekend is know for its extremely thin volumes as many
traders take advantage of the end of summer. Also affecting the
markets have been the increased aggression from the group ISIS
in Iraq and the Russian incursion into Ukraine. The U.S. dollar
has also remained strong as money flees Russia and the Eurozone
to the U.S.
8/22/14 Copper futures prices rallied higher this week. The news
of this week was more ISIS terrorist killings and the idea that
the Federal Reserve Bank would hold its interest rates in stasis
at least until next year. Many economists believe that rates
will not increase until at least the second quarter of 2015. The
U.S. dollar hit an 11 month high this week.
8/15/14 Copper futures prices traded mostly lower this week. The
trading week was full of headline risk again as the Russian and
Ukraine conflict began to escalate again this week. The 10 year
treasury yield hit its lowest level of the year today. This
infers a flight to safety into U.S. assets from foreign
investors.
8/9/14 Copper futures prices rallied this week. The commodity
markets in general seem to be bottoming after much of the global
slowdown seems to be factored into the markets.
8/1/14 Copper futures prices traded mostly sideways this week in
spite of the large amount of headline risk hitting the markets
this week. The news about the Argentinian default on its debt;
stock market sell off; the FOMC meeting; continuing conflict in
Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Gaza and ideas that inflation may be
coming back pressured many commodity markets this week. The U.S.
dollar continues to strengthen.
7/25/14 Copper futures prices rallied this week in spite of the
rise in the U.S. dollar. The recent huge run up in the U.S.
dollar index has hurt many commodity markets. The flight to
safety to the U.S. dollar because of the turmoil in
Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Gaza and Iraq has hindered many commodity
prices over the last couple of weeks. U.S. dollar based assets
like commodities are inversely correlated to each other and a
strengthening U.S. dollar hurts commodity exports.
7/18/14 Copper futures prices sold off this week after its
recent run up. More headline risk added volatility to some of
the futures markets again this week. The Malaysian airline that
was shot down killing approximately 300 people has much of the
world considering harsh sanctions against Russia. Also adding to
the mayhem is the Israeli insertion of ground troops in Gaza.
This may spread tensions across the region and hinder oil
production and exportation. The U.S. dollar seems to be the safe
haven currency as an influx of treasury buying boosted the
greenback this week.
7/11/14 Copper futures prices traded mostly sideways this week
after its recent run up. Some investors believe that the recent
strength in copper is forecasting sideways to upwards growth in
the Chinese economy. If that is true then commodity prices may
begin the next leg of the commodity super cycle that some
economists believe is occurring. The issues with the Portuguese
bank had many investors worried about insolvency and a new round
of European Union problems. The escalating conflict between
Israel and Lebanon has increased the volatility of many markets.
6/27/14 Copper futures prices rallied this week. The U.S. dollar
continued its sell off this week and the U.S. stock markets made
new highs. The idea that food and energy inflation will persist
over the long term is lending support to many commodity prices.
This inflation will most likely increase if the U.S. economy
begins to strengthen.
6/20/14 Copper futures prices rallied this week out of the
recent lows. Headline news risk seems to be in charge of the
markets again this week. The intensifying conflict in Iraq; the
conclusion of the FOMC meeting; and the surprising jump in the
inflation numbers coming out of the commodity price index
reports had many commodity markets on the move this week.
6/13/14 Copper futures prices sold off this week. Another
example of the effects of headline news risk hit the commodity
and stock markets this week. The islamic group known as ISIS
managed to attack and take over the second largest city in Iraq
this week. They looted the central bank and are heading to
Baghdad and the southern oil refinery region of the country.
6/6/14 Copper futures prices sold off this week. The big news
this week was the European Central Bank's decision to lower its
interest rates. The pushed the U.S. dollar higher which in turn
pressured many commodity markets to sell off. The dollar has
been strengthening for about a month.
5/30/14 Copper future prices sold off this week. The recent
uptick in inflation numbers did not seem to interest the
commodity bulls this week as most commodities were in correction
mode. The U.S. dollar has been on a tear to the upside over the
last few weeks and this might be the catalyst for many
commodities to sell off recently.
5/23/14 Copper prices are one of the few commodity markets to
find some strength this week. The recent rise in the U.S. dollar
pressured most commodity markets this week. The idea that the
Federal Reserve Bank is exiting its quantitative easing campaign
has been a catalyst for many markets to sell off.
5/9/14 Copper futures prices rallied this week. There was a
rally in the U.S. dollar this week which hurt many commodity
prices. There is an inverse relationship between the U.S. dollar
and U.S. dollar denominated commodities. Assets may be leaving
the Eurozone seeking safety from the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
5/2/14 Copper futures prices came down this week. Most commodity
markets were up this week in spite of the FOMC meeting
conclusion the quantitative easing was cut back again. The
markets for the most part seemed to have factored in further
cuts. The Ukraine and Russia conflict continues with more
sanctions being proposed by the U.S.
4/26/14 Copper futures prices continued to rise this week.
Commodities in general were strong this week as the U.S. dollar
continues to stay weak. The escalation in tensions between the
Ukraine and Russia is also affecting the commodity markets. Food
and energy inflation may begin to rise as odd weather around the
globe may push many agricultural product prices higher.
4/11/14 Copper futures prices rallied higher this week. There
are still concerns about the Chinese and emerging market
slowdowns. Commodities in general rallied this week as the stock
market fell. This coincided with a precipitous decline in the
dollar index.
3/28/14 Copper futures prices rallied higher this week. The U.S.
dollar is holding its recent gains and the economic reports seem
to be improving. Commodities in general have had strength this
week. Investors may be entering this sector believing that it is
undervalued compared to stocks.
3/21/14 Copper futures prices traded mostly sideways this week.
Copper is trading sideways near 4 year lows. Worry about the
Russia and Ukraine situation still has many traders on edge and
the U.S. dollar rallied sharply this week after the FOMC meeting
with the new federal reserve president Janet Yellen spoke. She
said in no uncertain terms that after the taper stops interest
rates may begin to rise as soon as six months after the
conclusion of the fed's tapering regimin.
3/14/14 Copper futures prices sold off again this week. Bad
economic news from China and the continuing drama between
Ukraine and Russia over the Crimean area has created a lot of
volatility this week. The stock market and many commodity
markets sold off this week as tensions and a potential military
conflict have increased.
3/7/14 Copper futures prices traded lower this week. This
happened in spite of the fact that most commodity markets in
general were rallying because of the weakening U.S. dollar
caused by the turmoil between Russia and Ukraine over the
Crimean peninsula.
2/21/14 Copper futures prices traded higher again this week.
Commodities in general have been becoming more popular with
traders this year and many are rallying. This is happening in
spite of the bullish move in the U.S. dollar this week.
2/14/14 Copper futures prices continued to trade higher this
week. Many commodity markets are rallying this week as the U.S.
dollar continues to weaken versus the Euro Currency. The idea
that the new federal reserve chairwoman will not hesitate to
stop tapering and use quantitative easing if the economy begins
to slow helped push many markets higher.
2/7/14 Copper futures prices traded mostly higher this week. Bad
economic news from China could not stop copper from rallying
along with most other commodities this week. The weak U.S.
economic news this week brought both the stock markets and the
U.S. dollar down as money is leaving those assets.
1/25/14 Copper futures traded mostly lower again this week. In
general, the commodity markets are still out of favor but the
recent stock market sell off might drive investors to futures
and options. The Fed tapering is having the effect on traders to
get bearish as the good times during asset expansion by the Fed
is about to end.
1/17/14 Copper futures traded mostly higher this week. The
commodity markets in general seem to be receiving interest from
investors to start out the new year. It could be that stock
investors are expecting a correction and are beginning to
diversify their asset classes. The expectation for Fed tapering
should be bearish for commodity markets over the near term.
1/10/14 Copper futures prices traded lowerer this week. News
about troubles in China's economy pressured copper prices this
week. The recent unemployment report was dismal and has many
investors wondering about what the economy, Fed tapering and
interest rates will do for the first half of 2014.
1/3/14 Copper futures prices traded mostly lower this week.
Commodities in general sold off this week as a lack of volume
had the markets drifting lower. The two weeks encompassing
Christmas and New Years are typically very slow as most traders
are in holiday mode. The idea that tapering might begin soon
also pushed commodities lower.
