Commodities & Metals

Commodities & Metals Articles

Standard & Poor’s Indices, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), has announced changes to two stock indexes that are scheduled to occur next week. Patriot Coal Corp. (NYSE: PCX)...
More bad news last night from the coal miners. Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE: ACI) announced that it would fire approximately 750 full-time employees and close 3 of its “higher-cost” thermal coal mines...
By now you have likely heard the term “The Devil’s Metal.”  When you see big price whips in silver, it generally means that there is something happening in commodity markets.  The situation...
Food processor ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported fourth quarter results this morning, beating the consensus EPS estimate by one penny at $0.51 and surpassing a revenue estimate of $3.38 billion...
With commodities on the retreat and with preliminary inflation running very low, you can imagine that the gold and silver markets are trading softer again.  Gold is down 1.3% at $1581.50 per ounce,...
It has been widely assumed for many years that the problem of worldwide hunger could be solved by financial and food donations from rich nations, improved training of farmers in nations with food...
The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (AMEX: GLD) is off about -0.2% at $156.89 in a 52-week range of $143.97-$185.85. The iShares Gold Trust (AMEX: IAU) is off about -0.1% at $15.76 in a 52-week range of...
In March the US, the European Union, and Japan filed complaints with the World Trade Organization (WTO) accusing China of violating free trade rules by limiting exports of rare earth minerals which...
Warmer and drier weather in the US Midwest is raising concerns about the corn and soybean crops. If such weather continues, it could reduce the harvest and drive crop prices up. Corn prices fell to...
Global demand for steel remains weak even as prices for iron ore rise slightly indicating that steelmakers could be in for another tough quarter. As if on cue, AK Steel Holding Corp. (NYSE: AKS) this...
Canadian gold miner Yamana Gold Inc. (NYSE: AUY) announced this morning that it is acquiring Canadian junior miner Extorre Gold Mines Ltd. (AMEX: XG) for a total of about $395 million. Yamana will...
Shares of Patriot Coal Corp. (NYSE: PCX) are dropping like a rock again today on no specific news. Other coal miners are faring somewhat better, with Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE: ACI) up slightly, James...
Lawn and garden products maker The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (NYSE: SMG) lowered its fiscal year guidance after markets closed last night, and the stock is taking a hit on very heavy trading today. The...
As if you had not guessed that China’s weekend releases of economic data were going to be weak after that surprise rate cut late in the week, the tally is out and it is weak on all fronts.  The...
Appalachian coal miner Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) announced this morning that it will close four mines and halt work at two coal preparation plants in Kentucky. The company also said...