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Metals Thoughts: Fool me a dozen times
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesI said it last week, and it still holds true that we have traded almost straight down in gold, and somewhat in silver, since the Oct. 14 highs. Macro data seems OK, equity markets are higher and rates are modestly higher — all with a lower VIX (volatility index), stronger U.S. dollar and higher probability of a rate hike in December.
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16 ideas for reducing healthcare energy costs
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationHealthcare organizations are constantly under pressure to reduce costs these days. That often means turning to variable staffing and supply costs for solutions. Some healthcare leaders view energy costs as somewhat fixed, but they are probably more variable than one thinks. Energy costs are based upon consumption, and as with electricity, costs are usually higher at times of peak demand.
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Metals Thoughts: Fall classic edition
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesMetals have traded largely lower in the last 10 days, but has a bit of sideways feel to it ahead of the FOMC nondecision. Our breakout from this year's lower-highs, lower-lows trend is still alive, but a move below 1156 and 1104 would have the world looking at the $1K price target yet again. We will feel it is confirmed if we breach $1,200 to the upside, but that will certainly require some external stimulus from headlines or the dollar.
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The stories told by BP’s Statistical Review of World Energy for 2014
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesBP's Statistical Review of World Energy for 2014 — for which analysts, policymakers and anyone trying to make sense of an extraordinary year on world oil markets had been impatiently awaiting — was released in June. 2014 was certainly a remarkable year. BP described it as one of "tectonic shifts," after what chief economist Spencer Dale called a period of "eerie calm" in recent years. While the supply-and-demand dynamics that have led to the collapsing prices are broadly understood, the statistics provided in this year's review add much flesh to the bones of those theories.
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Metals Thoughts: Austrian economics edition
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesIt has been almost nonstop bid since the non-farm payrolls disappointed for the September number. For the first time since January, we positively breached the 50-, 100- and 200-day moving averages. While momentum has run out in the last 48 hours, it is not uncommon during a rally to take a breather, especially considering it's LME Week in London and the LBMA industry conference begins tomorrow in Vienna.
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ABC’s ‘Blood and Oil’ misses the mark on the shale boom
Lucy Wallwork Natural Resources"Sometimes you have to play dirty to get filthy rich," announces the trailer for the new primetime show "Blood & Oil," which premiered Sept. 27 on ABC. But "Blood & Oil" is a somewhat-mistimed pop culture take on the boom towns springing up as the shale revolution has gained speed.
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Metals Thoughts: As good as it gets?
Brad Yates Natural ResourcesFriday's weak non-farm payrolls and even weaker August revision have effectively changed the prevailing paradigm for risk markets. Gold and (especially) silver have caught a bid, equity markets are having their longest winning streak of the year and yields are much lower all across the curve.
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The end of the 40-year-old crude export ban?
Stefanie Heerwig Natural ResourcesAfter 40 years, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill on the floor to lift the ban on exporting crude oil from the U.S. Implemented during the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, the export ban has turned into a controversial issue with the U.S. becoming the largest producer of oil after Saudi Arabia in recent years.
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Metals Thoughts: 1 step back
Brad Yates RetailAfter a volatile week, gold is basically right where we left it last week, but with a failed move above the 100 DMA at 1149. Silver has not fared nearly as well amidst the uncertainty and seems to be getting dragged along with PGMs and other more cyclical metals.
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What would a Clinton presidency mean for the oil and gas industry?
Lucy Wallwork Natural ResourcesIn July, Hillary Clinton released a climate change "fact sheet" that set out ambitious goals for a makeover of the North American economy in the name of solar power. She also has set a more aggressive target for carbon emissions reduction than her former boss Barack Obama.
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