Brian Wittal

Dec. 31 — Outside markets are steady today and this is spurring some year-end buying in the grains. Gold closed up $3.70 at $1,095.20 today, down $8.90 from last week’s close. The U.S. dollar index closed unchanged today; the Canadian dollar, meanwhile, closed up 0.87 cents at US95.62 today, up 0.34 cents from last week. […] Read more

Dec. 30 –– Very thin trading activity was again the focus on the markets today. Gold closed down $5.50 at $1,092.50 today. The U.S. dollar index closed up eight 100ths of a cent today while the Canadian dollar closed down 1.11 cents at US94.75 cents today. The Dow Jones closed down two points at 10,485 […] Read more

Dec. 29 –– All markets were open today, but trading activity was rather thin again as this will be a short trading week with markets closing early Thursday and on Friday for New Year’s Day. Gold closed down $10.20 at $1,197 today. The U.S. dollar index closed up a quarter of a cent today; the […] Read more

Dec. 24 — The day before Christmas and all through the markets, not a trader was seen on the trading floor! Or so it seemed, as there was little to no trading happening today, as everyone was doing last-minute shopping or traveling. Outside markets were steady to up today with gold and energy stocks closing […] Read more

Dec. 23 –– Outside markets were stable to up again today on very limited trading, due to most traders sneaking away for the holidays. Gold and energy stocks closed higher on the day, while the U.S. dollar index traded lower, providing support to grain futures which all ended higher on the day. Gold closed up […] Read more

Dec. 22 — Outside markets were a little more positive today, but with limited trading activity it’s hard to get a clear picture of what’s really happening. Gold was lower while energies and financial indicators were up slightly, and grains were mixed. Gold closed down $9.40 at $1,086 today. The U.S. dollar index ended up […] Read more

Dec. 21 –– Outside markets were mixed today with gold and energies down, financial indicators mixed and currencies up slightly. Gold closed down $15.40 at $1,095.40 today. The U.S. dollar ended up a quarter of a cent today; the Canadian dollar closed up 0.39 cents at US94.22 cents. The Dow Jones closed up 77 points […] Read more

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