Brian Wittal

Dec. 18 –– Outside markets ended mixed on the week, with gold and the Dow Jones showing losses week over week, while crude oil showed gains. Gold closed up $4 at $1,110.80 today, down $8.60 this week over last week. The U.S. dollar ended up just over seven-100ths of a cent today, up 1.5 cents […] Read more

Dec. 17 — Outside markets gave back everything they gained yesterday and then some. An aggressive U.S. dollar started a domino effect as speculators with long positions scrambled to take profits out of the markets, which helped to further feed the downward spiral. Gold ended with double-digit losses today and energies were down as well. […] Read more

Dec. 16 — Outside markets were definitely stronger today with gold and crude oil showing some solid gains. Financial markets were a little mixed today and currencies were down just slightly for the day. Gold closed up $13.20 at $1,135.70 today.  The U.S. dollar was trading down five-100ths of a cent today; the Canadian dollar […] Read more

Dec. 15 — A quick update today, before the markets officially close, as I am heading for the airport and my return trip to Calgary shortly. Outside markets were mostly down today with gold and financial markets leading the way lower. Gold is currently trading 90 cents lower at $1,122.54.  The U.S. dollar was trading […] Read more

Dec. 14 — Outside markets showed some rebound today with news that Dubai World has been able to secure some short-term financing to pay down some of its staggering debt. Gold closed up $3.90 at $1,123.40 today. The U.S. dollar was down two-10ths of a cent today. The Canadian dollar finished down 0.94 cents, closing […] Read more

Dec. 11 — Outside markets were mixed today, with gold lower and financial indicators and currencies all finishing higher. Gold closed down $6.30 at $1,119.50, down $50 for the week. The U.S. dollar was up half a cent today and up six-10ths of a cent for the week. In the energy sector, crude oil was […] Read more

December 10, 2009 Market Update Outside markets rebounded a little today while grains were mixed after a lacklustre USDA crop production report. Financial markets finished up slightly with gold up $5.30 to close at $1125.80.  The U.S. dollar was basically unchanged today and the energy sector was mixed with crude down and natural gas up […] Read more

Reports this week will be short and to the point as I am on a beach in Ixtapa and have limited Internet resources to do much for research beyond the basics, plus I want to get back to the sun and sand and cerveza as fast as possible. I will be back in my office […] Read more

Dec. 7 — Gold dropped today, which may be the beginning of a retracement after the recent multi-week surge to all-time highs. The U.S. dollar fell 15/100ths of a cent today. Financial markets were down with no real economic news to stimulate anything; energy markets were mixed with crude down and natural gas up today. […] Read more

Dec. 4 — Gold dropped hard and the U.S. dollar jumped up over 1.175 cents today. Financial markets were mixed while energy markets were down today. Grains came under pressure from the rising U.S. dollar and ended with losses across the board both for the day and for the week. Canola followed beans lower to […] Read more