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Corn Reserves Expected to Fall to 15-Year Low

cornRising demand for corn from ethanol producers is pushing U.S. reserves to the lowest point in 15 years, a trend that could lead to higher grain and food prices this year.

The Agriculture Department on Friday left its estimate for corn reserves unchanged from the previous month. The reserves are projected to fall to 675 million bushels in late August, when the harvest begins, or roughly 5 percent of all corn consumed in the United States. That would be the lowest surplus level since 1996.

Continue reading Corn Reserves Expected to Fall to 15-Year Low

Deere & Co. (DE): 'Equipped for Growth'

Deere logo"Rising demand and constrained supplies are a recipe for higher agricultural prices," notes Elliott Gue.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "The big winners are commercial farmers and companies whose products enhance crop yields. And one company equipped for growth in this market is Deere & Co. (DE), a new addition to the our model Growth Portfolio.

"For nearly 175 years, Deere has manufactured a wide range agricultural equipment, including tractors, combines, harvesters and sprayers.

Continue reading Deere & Co. (DE): 'Equipped for Growth'

Rare Earth Miner Molycorp Acquires 90% of AS Silmet

Molycorp (MCP) logoMuch has been written about rare earth metals. They are used in electronics, batteries and specialized magnets. China controls more than 90% of rare earth production and has put a ban on exports of the minerals.

The largest miner of rare earths outside China is Molycorp (MCP), a U.S.-based company. The company mines lanthanide and molydenum. Lanthanides include cerium, lanthanum and yttrium. These exotic elements are used in cell phones, computers, X-ray film and TV glass.

Continue reading Rare Earth Miner Molycorp Acquires 90% of AS Silmet

ConocoPhillips (COP): 'Rock Solid Financials'

"I suspect that as long as the dollar continues its slide our focus on commodities and resource stocks focusing will prove rewarding," says Jack Adamo.

The editor of Insiders Plus explains, "For our latest buy recommendation we'll revisit an old favorite of ours. Over the years we've held 4 positions in ConocoPhillips (COP) and they've gained an average of about 32% for us.

Continue reading ConocoPhillips (COP): 'Rock Solid Financials'

Supply Concerns Send Corn Prices to a Record High

Here's an interesting story, which speaks volumes about the psychological dynamic of the markets. On Friday the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will report on end-of-season inventories, often called 'ending stocks.' Traders are getting word the report may show inventories are lower-than-usual. Against that backdrop, as a trader you certainly don't want to take a short position. So what to do? You buy, of course.

Monday's buying drove corn prices to a record high of $7.6025 per bushel, up 24.25 cents, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. Country Hedging, a brokerage firm, said: "Federal forecasters could drop the projection to less than 500 million bushels from last month's 675 million. This is a 15 year low."

Continue reading Supply Concerns Send Corn Prices to a Record High

Brent Crude Oil Explodes to $120 Per Barrel

The Wall Street Journal posted oil production numbers for March that disclose the shortfall from the Libyan conflict. When the news hit the tape, Brent Crude exploded to the upside trading at $120.17 per barrel, up $1.47 (12:45 EDT.)

Here are the stats:
  • OPEC production fell 411,000 barrels per day to 29,343 million bpd.
  • Libya's production fell 343,000 barrels per day, from 1,396,000 bpd.
  • Nigeria fell 107,000 barrels per day due to Royal Dutch (RDS) Oil maintenance.
To make up for the shortfall, Saudi Arabia increased production by 500,000 barrels per day to 9.05 million bpd. Kuwait upped production by 37,000 barrels per day. Arab Emirates increased their production by 90,000 barrels per day.

Here's the real kicker. OPEC's seaborne exports are expected to fall by 530,000 barrels per day in the next four weeks.

Continue reading Brent Crude Oil Explodes to $120 Per Barrel

North American Palladium: 'Aggressive' Growth Ahead

"A looming supply shortage stands to push palladium prices sharply higher over the next couple years, and North American Palladium (PAL) is sitting on one of the world's biggest deposits," notes Nathan Slaughter.

The editor of Street Authority Market Advisor explains, "The company has several promising gold mines under development that could soon produce over 80,000 ounces annually.

"Believe it or not, there are only two mines on the planet that yield palladium first and foremost -- it's a by-product everywhere else. And one of those mines belongs to North American Palladium.

Continue reading North American Palladium: 'Aggressive' Growth Ahead

Miners Hedge Copper Inventories as Demand from China Slows

Copper was the darling of commodity traders. The price rallied from about $6,400 per ton to a record $10,190 in the past year, The Financial Times reports. Momentum was strong and it looked like there was no end in sight. But now, prices have dropped off a bit and miners are worried that the rally has hit a brick wall. The main concern is that what drove drove prices skyward -- China's demand -- may be slowing, according to the FT.

One indication of the slowdown is the amount of stocks held in exchange warehouses. At the LME Asia + Shanghai exchange warehouses, copper stocks have increased from below 150,000 to over 325,000 tons. That buildup has worried miners. The companies affected are Freeport MeMoRan (FCX), BHP Billiton (BHP), Xstrada (XSRAF), Anglo American and Brazil's Codelco, according to the Financial Times.

Continue reading Miners Hedge Copper Inventories as Demand from China Slows

Gold and Silver Hit New Highs

Sometimes we have a strong bias concerning which way a stock or commodity will move. Let's take gold and silver. Let's assume that you believe the turmoil in the Middle East, especially in Libya and Syria, is bullish for gold. Let's also assume that the weaker U.S. dollar is good for gold.

You hold on for the past two weeks with the Mideast getting worse, and with the dollar getting weaker, and nothing happens. Gold just meanders. You start to wonder if you've done the right thing buying gold.

Continue reading Gold and Silver Hit New Highs

USDA's Crop Report Signals Higher Food Prices

cornHere it is in a nutshell: Prices of grains and cotton have skyrocketed year to date. The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) report released Thursday stated that corn and wheat prices have doubled in the past year. Soybeans were up 50% and cotton was up 155%, as reported in the Wall Street Journal.

What has caused these sharp increases? The key mover has been exports. China, India and countries in the Mideast are stockpiling grains over fears that they will not have enough to feed their people. Corn in storage fell 15% on March 1. Corn has been hit doubly hard because 40% of it is used for ethanol production and a large amount goes for livestock feed.

Continue reading USDA's Crop Report Signals Higher Food Prices

Cabot, Molex and Hess: Quality Stocks with Takeover Appeal

"The urge to merge is growing among global corporations. Near-record cash holdings, improved stock markets and increased regulations (which often drive consolidation) should fuel an increase in deal activity," says dividend expert Chuck Carlson.

Th editor of The DRIP Investor explains, "While I don't recommend stocks simply because they represent attractive takeover stocks, takeover appeal is an added kicker. Three such targets are Cabot Corp. (CBT), Molex (MOLX) and Hess Corp. (HES).

Continue reading Cabot, Molex and Hess: Quality Stocks with Takeover Appeal

Is Inflation Here? Walmart Warns of Rising Prices

When the CEO of Walmart says that inflation is coming, we best be on the lookout. As head of America's largest retailer, Bill Simon is in a unique place to see inflation traveling all the way through the supply chain.

Walmart's (WMT) advanced computer systems are the some of the largest and most advanced computer systems in the world -- on par with computers the U.S. military uses. Every product and purchase is tracked to get stores resupplied as quickly as possible, usually just in time. As a retailer, Walmart is going to be keeping track of costs and profit margins very closely. Managers all across the company are carefully watching the reports.

Continue reading Is Inflation Here? Walmart Warns of Rising Prices

Five Mega Trends for the Next Five Years

"We are seeing history in the making. And what's happening in the Middle East is coinciding with some of the mega trends underlying our investment position," note long-standing resource experts Mary Anne and Pamela Aden.

The editors of The Aden Forecast explain, "Here, we review five trends -- related to inflation, interest rates, the U.S. dollar, bonds, and metals -- that should last for many years.

Continue reading Five Mega Trends for the Next Five Years

Schlumberger (SLB): A 'Great Opportunity'

Schlumberger (SLB) logo"Schlumberger Limited (SLB) is the world's leading oil services company, assisting in exploration, production and most other oil services; its operations include being a leader in applying proprietary technologies to extract hard-to-extract oil and gas," says Michael Shulman.

The editor of The Short-Side Trader suggests, "Let's ask ourselves the following question: Over the next year is the there going to be more, less or an equal demand for oil? The answer is clearly more demand.

"Another question: Over the next year is there going to be more, less or an equal supply of oil?

Continue reading Schlumberger (SLB): A 'Great Opportunity'

Endeavour Silver (EXK): 'Massive Organic Growth'

"If you're looking for a way to play the rise in silver without having to take on the risk of futures positions, Endeavour Silver (EXK) should be at the top of your list of potential investments," says Jack Barnes.

The contributing editor to Money Morning explains, "Endeavor recently released its annual results for 2010; to say that they hit the ball out of the park would be an understatement.

"Founded in 1981, Endeavour Silver is based out of Vancouver, Canada. The company has more than 750 full-time employees, with production of gold and silver in Mexico. It has a market cap of about $700 million, with an enterprise value of $574 million, once net debt and cash is accounted for.

Continue reading Endeavour Silver (EXK): 'Massive Organic Growth'

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA+33.0712,878.20
NASDAQ+2.092,904.08
S&P 500+2.721,347.05

Last updated: February 08, 2012: 12:47 AM

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