The S&P 500 Was The Only Major Index to Advance Today

The S&P 500 was the only one of the 3 major indices to gain some ground today. 1,976,322,640 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,221.93 (-4.80)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,431.77 (-0.46)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,400.63 (+1.15)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $62.70/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $646.70/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7535 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.3272 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.458%

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Personal Income & Consumer Spending In October, 2006

Earlier today, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis released their report on Consumer Spending and Personal Income in October, 2006:

Personal Consumption Expenditures
(a.k.a. Consumer Spending)
Predicted: +0.1%
Actual: +0.2%

Personal Income
Predicted: +0.5%
Actual: +0.4%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in Consumer Spending and Personal Income for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of November 25, 2006

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on November 25, 2006:

Predicted: 315,000
Actual: 357,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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The 3 Major Indexes Advanced Today On An Upgraded Third-Quarter GDP Report

All 3 major indices advanced today, despite a jump in crude oil prices, as the Commerce Department released an upgraded GDP figure for the third-quarter. 1,610,888,790 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,226.73 (+90.28)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,432.23 (+19.62)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,399.48 (+12.76)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $62.42/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $635.00/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7591 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.3173 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.521%

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New Home Sales for October, 2006

The October, 2006 New Home Sales report was released this morning:

Predicted: 1,040,000

New Home Sales for October 2006: 1,004,000

September, 2006 New Home Sales (Revised): 1,037,000

October, 2005 New Home Sales: 1,346,000

------------------------------------------------------

October New Home Sales: Average Price: $309,700

October New Home Sales: Median Price: $248,500


Compiled jointly by the U.S. Commerce Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the monthly New Home Sales report measures the number of newly-built homes with committed buyers for a given month.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The New Home Sales report is watched by economists and investors because it offers insight into the state of the U.S. housing market, and also provides data that can be used to predict sales of large household furniture and appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners and microwave ovens.

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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Gross Domestic Product (GDP) "Preliminary" Released Today for Q3, 2006

The preliminary, real U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the third-quarter of 2006 was released this morning:

Predicted: +1.8%
Actual: +2.2%

The above percentages represent the quarter-to-quarter change in the Gross Domestic Product for the United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the actual or real figure. The GDP report is produced by the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The final GDP report for Q3, 2006, which will contain the most authoritative data for the third quarter, will be released on December 21, 2006.

The GDP is a very broad measure of economic activity for the entire United States, covering all sectors of the economy. The Commerce Department defines real GDP as, "the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States."

Here's a snippet from a press release issued by the Commerce Department this morning:

"Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the third quarter of 2006, according to preliminary estimates released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 2.6 percent.

The GDP estimates released today are based on more complete source data than were available for the advance estimates issued last month. In the advance estimates, the increase in real GDP was 1.6 percent (see "Revisions" on page 3).

The increase in real GDP in the third quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, equipment and software, nonresidential structures, and state and local government spending that were partly offset by a negative contribution from residential fixed investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

The deceleration in real GDP growth in the third quarter primarily reflected an acceleration in imports, a larger decrease in residential fixed investment, and decelerations in private inventory investment, in PCE for services, and in state and local government spending that were partly offset by upturns in equipment and software, in PCE for durable goods, and in federal government spending.

Final sales of computers contributed 0.09 percentage point to the third-quarter growth in real GDP after contributing 0.04 percentage point to the second-quarter growth. Motor vehicle output contributed 0.76 percentage point to the third-quarter growth in real GDP after subtracting 0.31 percentage point from the second-quarter growth."

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week of November 24, 2006

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on November 24, 2006 was released this morning:

Weekly Change: -300,000 Barrels

Yearly Change: +23,200,000 Barrels

Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 340,800,000 Barrels

Diminishing crude oil inventories can translate to higher crude oil prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click here for a more detailed summary of The Week in Petroleum.

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The 3 Majors Advanced On Encouraging Housing News

All 3 major indexes managed to gain some ground today on news that October Existing Home Sales beat economists' predictions. Stock market gains were limited by a spike in crude oil prices. The dollar continued to lose value against the euro. 1,598,592,430 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,136.45 (+14.74)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,412.61 (+6.69)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,386.72 (+4.82)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $61.10/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $635.40/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7588 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.318 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.509%

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Existing Home Sales for October, 2006

The Existing Home Sales report for October, 2006 was released by The National Association of Realtors® this morning:

Predicted: 6,200,000
Actual: 6,240,000

Median Price for A Preowned, Single-Family
Home In October, 2006: $221,000

Average Price for A Preowned, Single-Family
Home In October, 2006: $264,000


The U.S. Existing Home Sales report is a sales count of existing homes, co-ops and condominiums for a given month. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The monthly Existing Home Sales report is released on or around the 25^TH day of each month.

Click here to view the full NAR report.

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Durable Goods Orders Report for October, 2006 Released Today

The Durable Goods Orders report for October, 2006 was released this morning:

Predicted: -5.0%
Actual: -8.3%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in orders for durable or hard goods for immediate or future delivery from U.S. manufacturers. Examples of durable goods: cars, microwave ovens, computers -- items that are built to last 3+ years.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure. The Durable Goods Orders report is produced by the Commerce Department.

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for November, 2006

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for this month (November, 2006) was released by The Conference Board this morning:

Predicted: 106.4
Actual: 102.9

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Every month, The Conference Board sends a questionnaire to 5,000 U.S. households. Survey participants are polled about their feeling regarding the current U.S. economy, the future of the U.S. economy, and about their own fiscal circumstances. On average, 3,500 participants complete and return the 5-question survey.

The baseline "100" score for the CCI is linked to 1985 survey data.

When consumers feel good about the economy, they tend to do more spending, and vice versa.

Based in New York City, The Conference Board is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to, "create and disseminate knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society."

The CCI is always released on the last Tuesday of the month.

Last month, the CCI was 105.4.

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Redbook Numbers for The Week of November 25, 2006

The Redbook numbers for the week that ended on November 25, 2006 were released this morning:

Redbook Sales Figures: +2.9%

The Redbook measures the weekly sales at chain stores, discount stores, and department stores -- about 9,000 stores in total -- and is therefore an important measure of current consumer spending in the U.S. The above figure represents the year-to-year change in the Redbook sales figures, so sales are up by 2.9% when compared to sales during the corresponding week back in November of 2005.

The weekly Johnson Redbook Index report is produced by Redbook Research.

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All 3 Major Indexes Declined Today

All 3 major indexes declined today, as commodities -- including gold and crude oil -- got more expensive. The dollar continued to lose ground against the euro. 1,609,606,650 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,121.71 (-158.46)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,405.92 (-54.34)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,381.90 (-19.05)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future closed @ $60.32/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $638.30/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7614 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.3133 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.538%

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All 3 Majors Retreated On The Day, The NASDAQ The Only Gainer This Week

All 3 major indices retreated today, as the dollar hit a 19-month low against the euro. The NASDAQ Composite was the only major index to gain this week. 519,890,770 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost 62.39 points (-0.508%), the NASDAQ Composite Index gained 14.40 points (+0.589%), and the S&P 500 Index lost 0.25 points (-0.018%).


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,280.17 (-46.78)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,460.26 (-5.72)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,400.95 (-5.14)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future closed @ $59.24/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $629.40/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7637 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.3094 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.548%

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The New York Exchanges Are Closed Today

The New York exchanges, including:

The New York Stock Exchange®
The NASDAQ Stock Market®
The American Stock Exchange®
The New York Mercantile Exchange

are closed today in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

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The New York Exchanges Will Be Closed Tomorrow

The New York exchanges, including:

The New York Stock Exchange®
The NASDAQ Stock Market®
The American Stock Exchange®
The New York Mercantile Exchange

will be closed on Thursday, November 23, 2006, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

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All 3 Majors Gained Today

All 3 major indices advanced today on positive news related to current crude oil stocks. 1,341,000,840 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,326.95 (+5.36)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,465.98 (+11.14)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,406.09 (+3.28)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $59.31/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $629.40/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7734 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.293 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.568%

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Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week of November 17, 2006

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on November 17, 2006 was released this morning:

Weekly Change: +5,100,000 Barrels

Yearly Change: +19,300,000 Barrels

Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 341,100,000 Barrels

Diminishing crude oil inventories can translate to higher crude oil prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click here for a more detailed summary of The Week in Petroleum.

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Consumer Sentiment for November, 2006

Consumer Sentiment for November, 2006:

Predicted: 93.5
Actual: 92.1

The Consumer Sentiment Index is compiled on a monthly basis by the University of Michigan; 500 U.S. households are queried about their own financial circumstances and about the economy in general. 200 questions are asked, e.g. "Do you think that right now is a good time to purchase a major household item, like a new microwave oven, TV set, or a new sofa?"

The Consumer Sentiment Index uses a 1966 baseline, i.e. for 1966, the Consumer Sentiment Index = 100. So any number that is below the 1966 baseline of 100 means that the folks who were polled recently aren't as optimistic about the U.S. economy as the sample that was polled back in 1966.

The Consumer Sentiment Index is similar to the Consumer Confidence Index in that they both measure consumer attitudes and offer insight into consumer spending.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Last month, the Consumer Sentiment Index was 93.6.

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of November 18, 2006

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on November 18, 2006:

Predicted: 310,000
Actual: 321,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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All 3 Majors Gained Some Ground Today As Crude Prices Rose

A modest gain for each of the 3 major indices today, as crude oil for future delivery neared the $60 mark. 1,532,112,160 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


Shares of NYSE Group (NYX) added $9.28 (+9.74%) to close @ $104.60. NYSE Group owns the New York Stock Exchange®.


Google shares passed the $500 mark for the first time ever today. Shares of Google Inc. (GOOG) added $14.60 (+2.95%) to close @ $509.65.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,321.59 (+5.05)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,454.84 (+2.12)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,402.81 (+2.31)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $59.85/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $628.50/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7774 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2863 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.578%

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Redbook Numbers for The Week of November 18, 2006

The Redbook numbers for the week that ended on November 18, 2006 were released this morning:

Redbook Sales Figures: +3.0%

The Redbook measures the weekly sales at chain stores, discount stores, and department stores -- about 9,000 stores in total -- and is therefore an important measure of current consumer spending in the U.S. The above figure represents the year-to-year change in the Redbook sales figures, so sales are up by 3.0% when compared to sales during the corresponding week back in November of 2005.

The weekly Johnson Redbook Index report is produced by Redbook Research.

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The NASDAQ Composite Index Was The Only Major to Gain Ground Today

The NASDAQ Composite gained some ground today, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index both declined as the price on a barrel of crude oil for future delivery cruised past the $59 mark. 1,507,730,240 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,316.54 (-26.02)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,452.72 (+6.86)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,400.50 (-0.70)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $59.12/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $621.80/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7797 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2826 U.S. Dollars

The Federal Funds Target Rate is 5.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.595%

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Leading Economic Indicators for October, 2006

The Conference Board report on the nation's Leading Economic Indicators for October, 2006 was released this morning:

Predicted: +0.3%
Actual: +0.2%

The above numbers represent the month-to-month change for the nation's leading economic indicators. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The Leading Economic Indicators Index is a composite of 10 of the nation's economic data releases that's put together by The Conference Board. Statistically, the components listed below have shown a significant increase or decrease before national economic upturns or downturns, respectively:

1. The Money Supply (M2)
   
2. The Standard and Poor's 500 Index
   
3. The interest rate spread between the yield on 10-year Treasury Notes and the Fed Funds Target Rate
   
4. Manufacturer's new orders for consumer goods or materials
   
5. Manufacturer's new orders for non-defense capital goods
   
6. Average weekly claims for unemployment insurance
   
7. Average weekly manufacturing hours
   
8. The Index of Consumer Expectations
   
9. Vendor performance
   
10. Building permits for new private housing

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All 3 Major Indexes Advanced On The Week

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index both advanced today, with the DJIA hitting a brand new, all-time record high close, but the NASDAQ Composite lost some ground as investors reacted to crude oil for future delivery jumping back up near $59 per barrel, and to a discouraging October Housing Starts report released by the Commerce Department this morning. All 3 major indices advanced on the week. 1,703,818,900 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.

For the week, the DJIA gained 234.13 points (+1.93%), the NASDAQ Composite Index gained 56.14 points (+2.35%), and the S&P 500 Index added 20.30 points (+1.47%).


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,342.56 (+36.74)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,445.86 (-3.20)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,401.20 (+1.44)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future closed @ $58.97/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $621.80/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7795 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2828 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.607%

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Housing Starts in October, 2006

The U.S. Commerce Department this morning released the Housing Starts report for October, 2006:

Housing Starts:
Predicted: 1,675,000
Actual: 1,486,000

Building Permits:
Actual: 1,535,000

The above is a measure of initial construction of single and multi-family residential units in The United States for last month. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

If you're wondering about the demand for new homes in the United States, or about the American construction industry in general, then you should pay attention to the monthly Housing Starts report. The monthly Housing Starts report also offers insight into specific types of consumer spending: when housing starts are up, demand for the stuff that a consumer would purchase for a new home (large appliances, consumer electronics, furniture, etc.) tends to also rise--and vice versa.

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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All 3 Major Indexes Advanced Today On Cheaper Crude Oil Prices

All 3 major indices gained ground today as the price on a barrel of crude oil for future delivery dipped below the $57 mark. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed with a brand new, all-time record high of 12,305.82. 1,688,856,320 shares were traded @ the New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,305.82 (+54.11)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,449.06 (+6.31)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,399.76 (+3.19)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $56.03/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $618.50/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.782 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2788 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.655%

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Industrial Production for October, 2006

The Industrial Production numbers for October, 2006 were released by the Federal Reserve this morning:

Industrial Production:
Predicted: +0.2%
Actual: +0.2%

Capacity Utilization Rate:
Predicted: 82.0%
Actual: 82.2%

The above Industrial Production numbers represent the month-to-month change in physical output from mining operations, utility plants and factories for the entire United States.

The Capacity Utilization Rate percentages represent the use of available resources at mining operations, utility plants and factories for the entire United States last month.

The "predicted" figures are what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Federal Reserve report.

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Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October, 2006

Earlier this morning, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October, 2006:

Predicted: -0.3%
Actual: -0.5%

Below is the CPI when food and energy are subtracted from the equation:

Predicted: +0.2%
Actual: +0.1%

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The above numbers represent the month-to-month change in prices for a specific group of goods and services that consumers buy, and is, therefore, a very important part of the overall inflation picture for the country.

General categories are:

• Healthcare
• Housing
• Clothing
• Communications
• Education
• Transportation
• Food & Beverages
• Recreation
• Miscellaneous Goods & Services (grooming expenses, etc.)

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of November 11, 2006

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on November 11, 2006:

Predicted: 310,000
Actual: 308,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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The 3 Majors Gained Ground Today; Dow Sets A Brand New Closing Record

All 3 major indexes advanced today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closing with a brand new, all-time record high of 12,251.71. 1,702,673,320 shares were traded @ the New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,251.71 (+33.70)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,442.75 (+12.09)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,396.57 (+3.35)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $58.76/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $622.10/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7796 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2828 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.615%

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Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week of November 10, 2006

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on November 10, 2006 was released this morning:

Weekly Change: +1,300,000 Barrels

Yearly Change: +14,600,000 Barrels

Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 336,000,000 Barrels

Diminishing crude oil inventories can translate to higher crude oil prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click here for a more detailed summary of The Week in Petroleum.

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All 3 Majors Advanced Today; Dow Sets New Closing Record

All 3 major indices gained ground today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closing with a brand new, all-time record high of 12,218.01 1,719,486,820 shares were traded @ the New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,218.01 (+86.13)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,430.66 (+24.28)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,393.22 (+8.80)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $58.42/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $621.60/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7803 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2816 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.568%

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U.S. Retail & Food Services Sales Report for October, 2006

The Commerce Department this morning released advanced estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales for October, 2006:

Predicted: -0.4%
Actual: -0.2%

Minus Auto Sales
Predicted: -0.3%
Actual : -0.4%


The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in total sales receipts for retailers that sell both durable and non-durable goods.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the actual or real figure.

Here's a snippet from today's Commerce Department report:

"The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for October, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $363.7 billion, a decrease of 0.2 percent (±0.7%)* from the previous month, but up 4.5 percent (±0.7%) from October 2005. Total sales for the August through October 2006 period were up 5.3 percent (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago. The August to September 2006 percent change was revised from -0.4 percent (± 0.7%)* to -0.8 percent (± 0.2%).

Retail trade sales were down 0.3 percent (±0.7%)* from September, but were 4.2 percent (±0.8%) above last year. Motor vehicles and parts dealers were up 10.1 percent (±2.3%) from October 2005 and sales of nonstore retailers were up 8.6 percent (±4.5%) from last year."

Click here to view the full report.

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Producer Price Index (PPI) for October, 2006

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for October, 2006 was released this morning:

Predicted: -0.6%
Actual: -1.6%

Below is the PPI when food and energy are subtracted from the equation:

Predicted: +0.2%
Actual: -0.9%

The above numbers represent the month-to-month change in prices for a specific group of goods and capital equipment that producers buy in order to produce finished goods for consumers. The PPI is an important part of the overall inflation picture for the country because when costs go up for producers, producers will often pass those increased costs on to consumers.

The PPI is released by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The PPI is a family or amalgamation of indexes, including The:

• All Commodities Index
• Crude Energy Materials Index
• Crude Foodstuffs & Feedstuffs Index
• Crude Materials for Further Processing Index
• Finished Goods Index
  
• Finished Consumer Foods Index
• Finished Consumer Goods Index
• Finished Consumer Goods Excluding Foods Index
• Finished Energy Goods Index
• Finished Goods: Capital Equipment Index
• Finished Goods Excluding Foods Index
• Finished Goods Less Energy Index
• Finished Goods Less Food & Energy Index
• Fuels & Related Products & Power Index
• Industrial Commodities Index
• Intermediate Energy Goods Index
• Intermediate Foods & Feeds Index
  
• Intermediate Materials: Supplies & Components Index
  

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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Redbook Numbers for The Week of November 11, 2006

The Redbook numbers for the week that ended on November 11, 2006 were released this morning:

Redbook Sales Figures: +3.3%

The Redbook measures the weekly sales at chain stores, discount stores, and department stores -- about 9,000 stores in total -- and is therefore an important measure of current consumer spending in the U.S. The above figure represents the year-to-year change in the Redbook sales figures, so sales are up by 3.3% when compared to sales during the corresponding week back in November of 2005.

The weekly Johnson Redbook Index report is produced by Redbook Research.

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All 3 Majors Gained Today On Cheaper Crude Oil

All 3 major indexes advanced today as crude for future delivery fell below the $59 mark. 1,416,171,410 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,131.88 (+23.45)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,406.38 (+16.66)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,384.42 (+3.52)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $58.59/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $624.70/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7798 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2824 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (WSJ Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.605%

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Treasury Budget for October, 2006

The U.S. Treasury Budget monthly account for October, 2006 was released today:

Predicted: -49,000,000,000
Actual: -$49,300,000,000

The "actual" figure above represents the monthly balance on the U.S. federal government's "books" and is compiled by The Treasury Department. A positive number represents a surplus, while a negative represents a deficit.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting.

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The 3 Majors Advanced On The Day and On The Week

All 3 major indices advanced today as the price on a barrel of crude oil for future delivery fell below the $60 mark. The 3 majors also advanced on the week. 1,426,822,550 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange® today.

For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) added 122.39 points (+1.02%), the NASDAQ Composite Index added 58.93 points (+2.53%), and the S&P 500 Index gained 16.60 points (+1.22%).


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,108.43 (+5.13)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,389.72 (+13.71)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,380.90 (+2.57)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future closed @ $59.59/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $628.20/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7788 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2841 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (WSJ Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.586%

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All 3 Majors Retreated Today

All 3 major indexes declined today on a spike in crude oil prices and a preliminary Consumer Sentiment figure that didn't meet economists' expectations. 1,864,071,880 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,103.30 (-73.24)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,376.01 (-8.93)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,378.33 (-7.39)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $61.07/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $633.30/ounce

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7788 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.284 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.633%

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Consumer Sentiment (Preliminary) for November, 2006

The preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index for November, 2006 was released this morning:

Predicted: 93.4
Actual: 92.3

The Consumer Sentiment Index is compiled on a monthly basis by the University of Michigan; 500 U.S. households are queried about their own financial circumstances and about the economy in general. 200 questions are asked, e.g. "Do you think that right now is a good time to purchase a major household item, like a new microwave oven, TV set, or a new sofa?"

The Consumer Sentiment Index uses a 1966 baseline, i.e. for 1966, the Consumer Sentiment Index = 100. So any number that is below the 1966 baseline of 100 means that the folks who were polled recently aren't as optimistic about the U.S. economy as the sample that was polled back in 1966 (and vice versa.)

The Consumer Sentiment Index is similar to the Consumer Confidence Index in that they both measure consumer attitudes and offer insight into consumer spending.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

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International Trade Balance Level for September, 2006

The International Trade Balance Level for September, 2006 was released by The U.S. Commerce Department this morning:

Predicted: $ -66,000,000,000
Actual: $ -64,300,000,000

The "actual" figure above represents the balance of trade--imports vs. exports--between the United States and all other countries, and includes both goods and services. A negative number represents a trade deficit, while a positive number represents a trade surplus.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Commerce Department report (PDF).

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of November 4, 2006

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on November 4, 2006:

Predicted: 315,000
Actual: 308,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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U.S. Import and Export Price Indices for October, 2006

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released the price indices for U.S. imports and exports for October, 2006 :

Import Prices
Predicted: -0.8
Actual: -2.0%

Export Prices
Actual: -0.4%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in prices for

• Imports: the cost of goods produced in other countries and sold in the U.S.
  
  
• Exports: the cost of goods produced in the U.S. and sold in other countries.
  

Together, these indices offer insight into the status of inflation in the United States, and for the global economy as well. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The following is a clip from today's Labor Department report:

"Import Goods

The 2.0 percent decreases in September and October followed increases in each of the prior five months and led import prices down 0.2 percent for the year ended in October. Once again lower petroleum prices, which felt 8.3 percent for the month, were the largest contributing factor to the drop. Despite increasing 23.8 percent from February to August, petroleum prices declined 2.9 percent over the past 12 months. The price index for nonpetroleum imports decreased 0.6 percent in October, the first monthly decline since March, but rose 0.5 percent over the past year.

The October decrease in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 2.7 percent decline in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials. A sharp drop in natural gas prices was the primary contributor to the decline, although a downturn in metals prices as well as lower building materials prices also factored into the decrease. Unfinished metal prices, which were up 36.8 percent over the past year, fell 1.0 percent in October.

The price indexes for automotive vehicles, consumer goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages all rose in October, increasing 0.3 percent, 0.1 percent, and 0.2 percent, respectively. The increase in automotive vehicles prices was the largest monthly gain since a similar 0.3 percent increase in October 2004, and was attributable to year-end model changeovers.

Capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent in October because of lower prices for computers, peripherals, and semiconductors. Excluding computer prices, prices for capital goods rose 0.2 percent for the month.


Export Goods

Export prices declined 0.4 percent in October following a similar 0.4 percent drop in September, marking the first time the index has decreased in consecutive months in over three years. A 0.5 percent decrease in nonagricultural prices more than offset a 1.1 percent increase in the price index for agricultural exports. Agricultural prices resumed an upward trend after declining 0.5 percent in September. The October increase was led by higher prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans. Prices for agricultural exports increased 5.4 percent over the past 12 months. The decrease in nonagricultural prices followed a 0.3 percent decline in September, which was the first monthly drop for the index since November 2005. Despite the October decreases, the price indexes for both nonagricultural exports and overall exports increased for the October 2005-2006 period, rising 2.6 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively.

A 1.8 percent decrease in prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials drove the October decline in nonagricultural prices. The drop in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices, which followed a 1.2 percent decrease in September, was the largest monthly decline for the index in 11 months. A drop in fuel prices was the biggest reason for the decline, but lower metals and chemical prices were also contributing factors.

In contrast, prices for each of the major finished goods areas either rose or were unchanged in October. Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles increased 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, while the price index for consumer goods recorded no change for the month. "

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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All 3 Majors Advanced with A Brand New Record-High Close for The Dow

All 3 major indexes advanced today despite higher crude oil prices, as investors got bullish on news that the Democrats will control the House of Representatives come January (the Democrats are likely to win a majority in the U.S. Senate as well.) The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed with a brand new, all-time record high of 12,176.54. 1,695,753,740 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,176.54 (+19.77)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,384.94 (+9.06)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,385.72 (+2.88)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $60.11/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $615.00/ounce (-$1.90)

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7821 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2786 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.633%

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Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week of November 3, 2006

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on November 3, 2006 was released this morning:

Weekly Change: +400,000 Barrels

Yearly Change: +11,100,000 Barrels

Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 334,700,000 Barrels

Diminishing crude oil inventories can translate to higher crude oil prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click here for a more detailed summary of The Week in Petroleum.

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All 3 Majors Advanced Today on Cheaper Crude

All 3 major indices gained ground today as crude oil for future delivery fell below the $60 mark in New York. 1,608,006,400 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,156.77 (+51.22)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,375.88 (+9.93)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,382.84 (+3.06)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $59.27/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $624.40/ounce (-$1.30)

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7827 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2777 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (WSJ Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.659%

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Consumer Credit Status Report for September, 2006 Released Today

The Consumer Credit status report for September, 2006 was released by the Fed earlier this afternoon:

Predicted: +$6,000,000,000
Actual: -$1,200,000,000

The above figures represent the month-to-month change in total outstanding, installment-based consumer credit; includes car loans and credit cards.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the real or true figure.

Click here to view the full Federal Reserve report.

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Redbook Numbers for The Week of November 4, 2006

The Redbook numbers for the week that ended on November 4, 2006 were released this morning:

Redbook Sales Figures: +3.4%

The Redbook measures the weekly sales at chain stores, discount stores, and department stores -- about 9,000 stores in total -- and is therefore an important measure of current consumer spending in the U.S. The above figure represents the year-to-year change in the Redbook sales figures, so sales are up by 3.4% when compared to sales during the corresponding week back in November of 2005.

The weekly Johnson Redbook Index report is produced by Redbook Research.

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All 3 Majors Closed with Strong Gains Today

The 3 major indexes closed with strong gains today thanks to robust merger and acquisition activity. 1,529,252,800 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,105.55 (+119.51)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,365.95 (+35.16)

S&P 500: Closed @ 1,379.78 (+15.48)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $60.02/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $623.40/ounce (-$1.90)

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7854 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2732 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (WSJ Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.709%

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All 3 Majors Declined On The Day and On The Week

All 3 major indexes retreated today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closing below the 12K mark. Investors reacted bearishly to today's Employment Situation report: a 4.4% unemployment rate is great news for the economy, but it also means that the Fed won't be lowering short-term interest rates any time soon. 1,518,911,280 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.

For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost 104.22 points (-0.87%), the NASDAQ Composite Index lost 19.83 points (-0.851%), and the S&P 500 Index lost 13.04 points (-0.956%).


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 11,986.04 (-32.50)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,330.79 (-3.23)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,364.30 (-3.04)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future is currently @ $59.05/barrel

NY Spot Gold closed @ $627.20/ounce (+$2.30)

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7865 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2715 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.715%

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Employment Situation Report for October, 2006

The Employment Situation report for October, 2006 was released by The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

Average Hourly Earnings (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +0.3%
Actual: +0.4%


Non-farm Payrolls (month-to-month change)
Predicted: +130K
Actual: +92K


Average Workweek
Predicted: 33.8 hrs
Actual: 33.9 hrs


Unemployment Rate
Predicted: 4.6%
Actual: 4.4%

Economist, academics, central bankers and investors pay very close attention to the monthly Employment Situation report as it offers penetrating insight as to the current and near-future state of the overall U.S. economy. If a) Americans are earning more money, b) unemployment is low and c) the economy is creating new jobs, this typically translates to more money being pumped into the economy (and vice versa.)

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Department of Labor report.

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The 3 Majors Declined on Productivity and Labor Costs Report

All 3 major indices retreated today despite the fact the crude for future delivery fell below the $58 mark: investors reacted to a discouraging report on third-quarter productivity and unit labor costs. 1,677,562,020 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,018.54 (-12.48)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,334.02 (-0.33)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,367.34 (-0.47)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future closed @ $57.87/barrel

NY Spot Gold is currently @ $623.40/ounce (-$1.50)

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7826 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2778 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.596%

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U.S. Factory Orders Report for September, 2006

The U.S. Census Bureau this morning released their report on Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories & Orders -- also known as Factory Orders -- for September, 2006:

Predicted: +3.5%
Actual: +2.1%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in orders for both durable and nondurable goods made by from U.S. manufacturers. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Census Bureau report.

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Productivity and Labor Cost Report for Q3, 2006 Released Today (Preliminary)

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released its quarterly report on Productivity and Unit Labor Costs for the third-quarter of 2006 (preliminary data):

Non-farm Productivity
Predicted: +1.0%
Actual: 0.0%

Unit Labor Costs
Predicted: +3.4%
Actual: +3.8%

The above percentages represent the quarter-to-quarter change in non-farm productivity and unit labor costs.

For non-farm productivity, a positive number represents an improvement in the efficiency of producing domestic goods and services in the U.S., and therefore can signify a favorable inflationary outlook, and vice versa.

The Unit Labor Costs report measures the costs related to producing each unit of output. A positive number can be a harbinger of rising inflation, and vice versa.

The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report (PDF.)

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of October 28, 2006

Earlier today, the Labor Department released the New Unemployment Insurance Claims report for the week that ended on October 28, 2006:

Predicted: 310,000
Actual: 327,000

The above figures represent the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Click here to view the full Labor Department report.

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Challenger Report on Corporate Layoffs for October, 2006

Earlier today, the outplacement company Challenger released their report on corporate layoffs for October, 2006:

U.S. Job Cuts Announced during October, 2006: 69,177

When the corporate layoff numbers are high, consumer spending may decline, since there are less people with steady jobs.

When corporate layoffs are low, this can mean that the job market is relatively tight, which can be a harbinger of wage inflation.

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All 3 Majors Declined Today

All 3 major indices retreated today on further evidence of a waning U.S. economy. 1,804,783,880 shares were traded @ The New York Stock Exchange®.


Summary of The U.S. Markets:

----------------------------------------------------------

DJIA: Closed @ 12,031.02 (-49.71)

NASDAQ: Closed @ 2,334.35 (-32.36)

S and P 500: Closed @ 1,367.81 (-10.13)

----------------------------------------------------------

NYMEX Crude Oil Future closed @ $58.70/barrel

NY Spot Gold is currently @ $618.10/ounce (+$1.80)

In New York, The U.S. Dollar buys 0.7841 Euros

In New York, The Euro buys 1.2754 U.S. Dollars

The U.S. Prime Rate (Fed Prime Rate) is 8.25%

10-Year Treasury Note Yield is currently @ 4.561%

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U.S. Motor Vehicle Sales Report for October, 2006

The Domestic Motor Vehicle Sales report for October, 2006 was released this afternoon:

Predicted: 12,500,000
Actual: 12,300,000

The above figures represent unit sales of American-made cars, minivans, SUV's and light trucks. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

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Crude Oil Inventories Report for Week of October 27, 2006

The U.S. Crude Oil Inventories report for the week that ended on October 27, 2006 was released this morning:

Weekly Change: +2,000,000 Barrels

Yearly Change: +15,200,000 Barrels

Current U.S. Crude Oil Stocks: 334,300,000 Barrels

Diminishing crude oil inventories can translate to higher crude oil prices (and vice versa), but not always.

The report is produced by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Click here for a more detailed summary of The Week in Petroleum.

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Construction Spending during September, 2006

Earlier today, the U.S. Census Bureau -- which is part of the U.S. Commerce Department -- released the Construction Spending report for September, 2006:

Predicted: -0.3%
Actual: -0.3%

The above percentages represent the month-to-month change in new public and private construction activity for the United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists and Wall Street forecasters were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

Overall construction spending is up by 2.9% when compared to the revised numbers from September, 2005.

Click here to view the full Census Bureau report.

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