Monthly Archives: February 2011

Week in Review: Just Plain Crude

Posted on February 27, 2011 by macromon

The past week was all about oil with West Texas up over 13 percent on fears of political instability spreading into Saudi Arabia.   Every major stock market we monitor in the Week in Review was down with the German DAX … Continue reading →

Posted in Week in Review | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Weekend Read

Posted on February 25, 2011 by macromon

“There has been a complete and utter lack of leadership in Ireland,” Professor Ferriter said. As for Fianna Fail, he said, “They’ve actually managed to alienate all sections of our society.” – NY Times China A Balanced Look at Sino-American … Continue reading →

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Chart of the Day: Destination of Libya’s Oil Exports

Posted on February 24, 2011 by macromon

(click here if chart is not observable)

Posted in Crude Oil, Energy, Geopolitical, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

U.S. Dependent on Middle East Oil? Think Again.

Posted on February 24, 2011 by macromon

Given the unrest in the Middle East we’re hearing a lot of noise these days about how the U.S. is totally dependent on oil imports from that region of the world.   The data, however, does not confirm these assertions. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Crude Oil, Politics | Tagged , | 23 Comments

Will Higher Prices Show Up in the CPI?

Posted on February 24, 2011 by macromon

Great ‘toon from the Economist.  Maybe the bureaucrats can argue that the higher commodity price component of goods and services is only temporary and can be counted as a surcharge as not be be included in the inflation stats.  On … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Food Prices | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The 50 Most Innovative Companies

Posted on February 23, 2011 by macromon

MIT’s Technology Review ranks the 50 most innovative companies.  The list is divided into public and private companies. A123 Systems Why: Lithium-ion batteries make electric cars possible at mass-market prices. Key innovation: Nanostructured electrodes result in lithium batteries more durable … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Clean Tech, Electric Vehicles, Nonlinear Thinking, Technology | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Nonlinear Thinking: The New Breakevens

Posted on February 23, 2011 by macromon

With crude oil now officially back over $100 it’s our sense that markets will begin an intense focus on electric vehicles (EV).     Rather than TIPS, the new breakeven obsession will be at what price of gasoline does an electric vehicle … Continue reading →

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Apple Sitting on 50-day Moving Average

Posted on February 22, 2011 by macromon

Apple is now testing its 50-day moving average for only the second time during the incredible 55 percent rally, which began in late August.   If it breaks here,  the next key level of support will be the .618 Fibonacci at … Continue reading →

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Sensitivity Analysis of Higher Gas Prices

Posted on February 22, 2011 by macromon

We‘ve constructed the following cheat sheet to give a sense of how higher oil and gas prices will impact the pocketbook of individual consumers and families given various gas prices and average miles driven.   Of course, much depends on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commodities, Crude Oil | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

S&P500 Best Start Since 1997, Digestion/Correction to End Q1?

Posted on February 22, 2011 by macromon

The S&P 500 is off to its best start of the year since 1997 and ranks 11th with respect to the highest return for the first 34 days of trading in all years from 1950-2011.  This is, surprisingly, only the … Continue reading →

Posted in Equities, Geopolitical | Tagged , , | 3 Comments