Treasuries Recoup!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Treasuries Recoup!

Today shows two consecutive days that Treasuries have gained which totals almost have of what they lost since the Federal Reserve commented in their two day meeting last week that they would be purchasing additional debt as part of their continued efforts to spur the economy.  The bright side is that the central bank is not going to discontinue buying debt in the near future, so that means cheaper lending in hopes that companies will borrower and grow.  For more Treasury-ING news, check out: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-18/treasuries-gain-as-u-s-data-underscore-growth-concern.html

Oil slips!

Crude oil futures dropped today continuing a fall from yesterday as the commodity brokers await the supply report, which last time showed more in reserves than had been thought, which may be the case again and drop prices of crude oil even lower.  On the bright side, we might actually see this at the pump due to Hurricane Isaac dissolving and oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico re-starting production.  This should increase people’s spendable cash to purchase other items to help push the economy.  For more over the barrel talk, click: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-stays-weak-as-analysts-debate-prior-day-tumble-2012-09-18

I think it’s a horse!

And I would be wrong, but you can’t tell me someone has not tried to ride this huge thing!  Yes, I am speaking of Zeus the Great Dane who is the World’s tallest dog!  At just 3 years old, when standing on his hind legs is 7’4” tall.  His water bowl is the kitchen sink.  And probably requires a snow shovel to take care of his business.  He isn’t the only world record holder, to see more, saddle up and click: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/great-dane-from-michigan-_0_n_1881596.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Today’s rates are not setting any world records as they are trending up just a small tick!

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Treasuries rebound on bet!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Treasuries rebound on bet!                

The US Treasury’s 30-year bond has broken a 4 day decline based on the idea that the stimulus that the Federal Reserve plans to implement makes the yields on the 30 and 10 year bonds more attractive.  The bright side of this is that confidence in US debt is a positive sign of investors preferring investments in the US versus Europe or China.  For more yielding new, check out: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-17/treasury-bonds-snap-drop-as-yields-at-4-month-high-lure-buyers.html

Japan China Tensions

The Euro is seeing an increase based on the decline of the US Dollar and the Yen due to Japan China tensions.  Japan has stopped all output from China over a dispute of ownership of islands.  The bright side of this is that if China is not supplying goods to Japan that leaves a gap for US products and a possible jump in factory orders.  If you yen for more news, click: http://stream.marketwatch.com/story/markets/SS-4-4/SS-4-11762/

Bakersfield Big Shark Feeding Ground?

No not a loan shark, but the biggest apex predator that lived on earth, the Magalodon Shark! It lived 2 million years ago, and is thought to be the apex predator of all time, dwarfing the T-Rex!  New evidence has been found in Bakersfield Shark Tooth Hill, which is where the big fish’s feeding ground was.  For more sharky news, clamp you jaws on this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/15/megalodon-prehistoric-shark-video_n_1885250.html?ir=Science

Today’s rates are won’t take a bite out of your wallet as they are trending down a tick!

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Funnies for Friday

By Darrin Stobaugh

Funnies for Friday!

Recently, the Psychic Hotline and Psychic Friends Network have launched hotlines for frogs. Here is the story of one frog and his discussing with his psychic.

A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and is told, “You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you.”

The frog says, “This is great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?”

“No,” says the psychic. “Next semester in her biology class.”

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his Sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, ‘What setting do I use on the washing machine?’ ‘It depends,’ I replied. ‘What does it say on your shirt?’ He yelled back, ‘CHICO STATE!’ And they say blondes are dumb!

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

The man: “God, how long is a million years?”
God: “To me, it’s about a minute.”
The man: “God, how much is a million dollars?”
God: “To me it’s a penny.”
The man: “God, may I have a penny?”
God: “Wait a minute.”

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

Rates are nothing to laugh at as they are trending down by a leap and a jump!

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Jobless Claims Drive Treasuries!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Jobless Claims Drive Treasuries!

The Labor Department’s Jobless Report was released today and showed that 382,000 people applied for unemployment benefits last week.  This is up by 15,000 from the previous week.   Hurricane Isaac is being blamed for part of that, but this has pushed Treasuries up, breaking a two day decline.  The bright side of this is that the Fed is anticipated to announced it will start a third round of debt buying to continue the Quantitative Easing to help push the economy, which should let companies produce additional capital in order to grow and hire.  For more Treasury news, check out: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/bonds/

Oil Futures drop!

But don’t expect to see it at the pumps.  Crude oil futures dropped due to the crude oil reserve report showing more oil in reserves than expected.  This comes ahead of the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting, in which the Fed will discuss further economic stimuli.  This interrupts a 5 day run increases in crude oil futures.  What is the bright side?  While this won’t be immediately seen at the pump, it may signal a drop in the near future because of the amount of reserves.  For more crude news, click: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-futures-flatten-out-ahead-of-fed-call-2012-09-13?dist=lcountdown

Ever wonder what a Seagull sees?

This very un-camera shy seagull apparently decided to do some sightseeing and record its trip.  Check out these different views of the Bay Area: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/12/seagull-san-francisco-sunset_n_1878880.html

Today’s rates are not soaring; they are trending down a tick!

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Bet, bet, bet?!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Bet, bet, bet?!

The yields on the 10-year notes and other inflation-linked securities have continued to widen their spread exceeding marks set in the last 5 months.  This is in part due to speculators betting that the Federal Reserve will continue to add stimuli to try and bolster the economy further.  The bright side of this is that any stimulation to the economy is a good thing for both businesses and individuals.  The goal is to make borrowing cheaper and pushing companies to grow and hire.  For more on this bet, check out: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-10/treasuries-snap-loss-as-china-data-fuels-growth-concern.html

Can’t forget about Europe!

Yes the ever present crisis in Europe will be in our news for a long time to come.  Even the current optimism about the European Central Bank’s President Mario Draghi’s “do whatever it takes” statements will only bolster optimism for the short term.  There are still many possible road blocks and opportunity for setbacks.  Traders will need to take time to analyze the moves made as well as reactions from within the European Union to these actions.  On the bright side, the gains should continue for a bit longer which allows other stimuli to help support and elongate the gains even further.  For more Euro trashing, click: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-optimism-wont-last-for-long-2012-09-10

Snake powered cars!

Well you would think after seeing this video of a couple who went to start their car and when it started to make hissing sounds they looked under the hood to see what was wrong.  Well, surprise, surprise it wasn’t a busted radiator or a fouled fuel line, no it was much more serious.  And when we say serious, we don’t mean a more extensive and expensive repair, but serious as in dangerous!  Sitting under the hood was a huge 16 foot Python coiled up to the engine, almost covering the whole engine! To add to this, the couple had to drive 3 miles with this snake on the engine to the nearest “look-out” before they could attempt to get the snake out.  For more on this scaly situation, slither your mouse over to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/08/marlene-swart-leon-swanepoel-python-car-hood_n_1867037.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Today’s rates are something to hiss at as they are trending up a tick!

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Funnies for Friday!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Funnies for Friday!

After being away on business, Tim thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift.

“How about some perfume?” he asked the cosmetics clerk.

She showed him a bottle costing $50.00.

“That’s a bit much,” said Tim, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30.00.

“That’s still quite a bit,” Tim complained.

Growing annoyed, the clerk brought out a tiny $15.00 bottle.

“What I mean,” said Tim, “is I’d like to see something really cheap.”

The clerk handed him a mirror.

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

This 80 year old woman named Robin was arrested for shoplifting in a supermarket.

When she went before the judge he asked her, ‘What did you steal?’

She replied, ‘A can of peaches.’

The judge then asked her why she had stolen the can of peaches, and she replied that she was hungry.

The judge asked her how many peaches were in the can.

She replied that there were six.

The judge said, ‘Then I will give you six days in jail.’

Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment, the woman’s husband stood up, and asked the judge if he could say something.

The judge said, ‘What is it?’

The husband said, ‘She also stole a can of peas.’

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

Robin brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird’s chest.

After a moment or two, the vet shook his head sadly and said; “I’m sorry, your duck (Cuddles) has passed away.”

Robin obviously in distress wailed; “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. The duck is dead.” replied the vet.

“How can you be so sure?” she protested. “I mean you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something.”

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around, and left the room.

He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck’s owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table, and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.

The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room.

A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly, and strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at Robin and said; “I’m sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck.”

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to Robin. The duck’s owner, still in shock, took the bill. “$150!” she cried; “$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!?”

The vet shrugged; “I’m sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but… with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it’s now $150.”

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

Today’s rates are not funny as they are trending up by a big jump!

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Happy Birthday Robin!

Treasuries down Labor view up!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Treasuries down Labor view up!

News from ADP Employer Services that employers added more workers than what was speculated and reports show that there were lower new unemployment applications files last week coupled with news that the European Central Bank will keep their prime lending rate at its current level all conspired to drive Treasuries yields to their highest level in a month.  What is the bright side of this news?  Well, like the US, when the European Central Bank keeps their lending rates low, it encourages borrowing, which attempts to bolster company’s borrowing to grow.  For more treasured news, check out: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-06/treasuries-decline-as-u-s-employers-add-more-jobs-than-forecast.html

Euro Bond Buying Bumps Oil!

So the statement by the European Central Bank will go on an unlimited bond buying mission to buy bonds from other debt laden euro-zone counties to try and quell the fear about the euro had a unintended consequence, it boosted crude oil prices!  The bright side is that it may be a very temporary boost, as the forecast is for crude oil prices to actually fall once the Energy Information Administration releases its supply numbers.  For more crude news, click: http://stream.marketwatch.com/story/markets/SS-4-4/SS-4-10764/

A personal note:

We here at Argus Lending and The Guardian Watch want to send our condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of CHP Officer Kenyon Youngstrom who was shot and later succumbed to that gunshot wound during a traffic stop close to our corporate office and on the highway that we travel every day to and from to work.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, 4 children, family and fellow Officers.  To his fellow Officers please be safe out there and thank you for all you do to make sure our highways and roads are safe for us all to travel.

Today’s rates are trending up a couple ticks!

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Funnies for Friday!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Funnies for Friday!

A completely inebriated man was stumbling down the street with one foot on the curb and one foot in the gutter. A cop pulled up and said, “I’ve got to take you in, pal. You’re obviously drunk.”

Our wasted friend asked, “Officer, are ya absolutely sure I’m drunk?”

“Yeah, buddy, I’m sure,” said the copper. “Let’s go.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, the wino said, “Thank goodness, I thought I was crippled.”

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

An elderly couple were killed in an accident and found themselves being given a tour of heaven by Saint Peter. “Here is your oceanside condo, over there are the tennis courts, swimming pool, and two golf courses. If you need any refreshments, just stop by any of the many bars located throughout the area.”

“Heck, Gloria,” the old man hissed when Saint Peter walked off, “we could have been here ten years ago if you hadn’t heard about all that stupid oat bran, wheat germ, and low-fat diets!”

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

An elderly patient gets hearing aids from a doctor. After short time, he meets the doctor again.

Doctor, “Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased.”
Patient, “Oh, I am in a funny situation now. I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit and listen to their conversations. In a month, I’ve changed my will three times!”

http://www.lotsofjokes.com/latest_jokes.asp

Today’s rates are keeping happy by trending down a couple ticks!

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Treasuries rose, inflation slowed!

By Darrin Stobaugh

Treasuries rose, inflation slowed!

The yields on the US 10-year notes fell today to a level not seen in almost 3 weeks.  This was spurred by reports showing that inflation has been bridled a bit.  This leads some to speculate that the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben s. Bernanke will be able to add monetary stimulus to push the economy forward.  The bright side of this is this ability of the Fed Chair to continue to add stimuli to the monetary policy and help bring the US economy into a healthy state.  For more inflated news, check out:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-30/treasuries-snap-loss-as-gross-says-fed-to-implement-qe3.html

European stocks look to Bernanke?

It appears European stockholders are more interested in what the US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke has to say, than their own financial leaders.  Amid a fury of disappointing macroeconomic data, European stocks plunged!  European investors are looking toward to the Fed Chair’s speech on Friday.  This speech which is supposed to have some mention of additional stimuli that could be added to the US economy; however, any real change will probably come after the elections in November. The bright side of this is that European investors will have possibly something to hang their hat on and that the possible stimuli will not be a deciding factor in the US elections.  For more European news, take stock and click: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/europe-stocks-drop-ahead-of-bernanke-speech-2012-08-30

Britain worried about bad UFO drivers?

Well even though the UK’s Ministry of Defense said they would not pursue any more UFO investigations back in 2009, they apparently had a change of heart.  You may ask why would they start back up with additional investigations with UK pilots?  Well apparently the Ministry is concerned about safe air travel and possible accidents with these UFOs.  It seems that if a ship has the technology to travel the galaxy and avoid asteroids and space junk, that the technology could probably avoid earth’s aircrafts.  Especially beings the sightings and verification of such objects is scarce, they obviously now how to stay out of the way.  For more on UFO driving school, fly over to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/28/ufo-sightings-british-civil-aviation-authority_n_1832289.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Today’s rates are identified as trending down a good jump!

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More Speculation!

By Darrin Stobaugh

More Speculation!

Well if you haven’t figured it out yet, the Treasuries seem to react more on speculation than the actual facts.  Today, Treasuries advanced on speculation of what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke might have on his speech scheduled for Friday August 31^st in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  The hope is that he will use this opportunity to further the support for additional actions by the Central Bank to support and push the economy forward.  The bright side of this possible action is that we can possibly see lending relaxed a bit and rates to stay low while jobs are being created.  A possible win/win.  For more of the spectator view, check out:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-27/treasuries-advance-before-bernanke-speaks-at-jackson-hole.html

Crude weathering the Storm?

Here at the Guardian Watch, we are not in the business of reporting on the weather, but it appears the weather in the Gulf of Mexico will be a topic, as the oil rigs in the Gulf are battening down their platforms bracing for the now categorized Tropical Storm Isaac, which is expected to turn into Hurricane status within the next 24 hours.  Due to this action, production of crude oil will slow down or cease temporarily, raising the cost of barrels of crude oil, and adding to the Chevron refinery fire in Richmond, California is going to drive the gasoline prices higher.  This additional cost will reduce the purchases in other sectors of the economy.  What is the bright side?  This Tropical Storm is estimated to not reach higher than a Category 2 Hurricane, so the possible destruction and interference with oil pumping should be very temporary.  In addition, a personal note from the Guardian Watch to the Gulf Coast states, please be safe and listen to your local officials to ensure your continued safety.

Shakespeare Muse under a Parking Lot?

Scratching your head, me too.  Apparently a team of archeologists from University of Leicester began to scan a parking lot in the town of Leicester’s city council for the remains of King Richard III.  Yes, King Richard III, who was killed in battle in 1485 in the War of the Roses, and buried in the Franciscan Friary known as the Greyfriars, whose church apparently stood on that ground.  The puzzling issue for the Guardian is who tore down the church and did not move the body to a more Royal burial site?  For more on this unfolding drama, act like an Archeologist and dig your mouse here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/25/richard-iii-may-be-buried-under-parking-lot_n_1830045.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Today’s rates should be tarred over and buried as they are trending up!

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