Steel futures bring transparency, efficiency to market

For many years the steel futures market was all talk and little action, but those days are gone as more financial products tied to the price of steel come to market.

Corn pops under Argentine heat

On Friday, corn reached the highest price since early December, climbing to more than $7.46 per bushel. Prices rallied as the market grew more concerned about hot and dry weather in Argentina threatening that nation’s crop. Argentina is the world’s fourth-largest corn producer, and its April…

A look back at corn's tumultuous year

Corn prices made a record high this year as drought ravaged crops across the Midwest. Despite the fact that farmers planted the most acres of corn since 1937, this year’s corn crop was relatively small due to drought-induced low yields. As corn baked throughout late summer, market expectatio…

FUTURES FILE: Yen yields to political pressure

The Japanese Yen plummeted in value this week as news broke that the Japanese Parliament was going to be dissolved. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda called for new elections next month as a result of parliamentary deadlock. It is widely expected he will lose in the upcoming election, giving Jap…

Sandy causes gasoline spike

As Hurricane Sandy approached the Eastern Seaboard this week, there was a rash of panic buying in the gasoline market, as consumers and traders expected supplies would be interrupted. Many of their fears were warranted, as pipelines, ports and refineries were disabled by the storm, with some…

Gas explodes higher

Gasoline prices rose to a five-month high this week, gaining more than 25 cents per gallon. Nationwide, gasoline stockpiles are relatively low, nearly 15 percent smaller than at this time last year. Ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has continued to keep prices elevated, but this week’s big…

Gold and silver shine

Gold, silver and platinum prices rose sharply on news early Thursday morning that the European Central Bank will buy an unlimited amount of bonds from struggling European nations on the condition they stick to the rules of the planned bailout. Precious metals are considered safe-havens from …

Metals march higher

Precious metals advanced in trading this week, boosted by an announcement by the Federal Open Market Committee that suggested more economic stimulus may be on the way soon. In the past, Fed action to stimulate the economy has often been interpreted as stoking inflation, causing the price of …

Corm market on fire

Record-breaking temperatures continued to blaze across the Midwest, with little rain falling on the drought-stricken Corn Belt. Corn and soybeans continue to be damaged by hot, dry weather, causing industry experts to further downgrade the quality of this year’s crops. As a result of the low…

World awaits Greek fate

In an election that once again calls into question the fate of euro currency, Greek voters will hit the polls this Sunday. This weekend's vote was scheduled after a May 6 election failed to give any of Greece's seven main political parties enough votes to form a functioning coalition government.

Warm winter cools natural gas

A report released Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed January was the fourth-warmest on record for the lower 48 states. Warm temperatures have sapped heating demand for natural gas, causing headaches for already bloated storage facilities. Under the weight o…

Turbulent 2011 sets records

This past year was one of the most turbulent trading periods since 1980, with many markets setting new record highs. Corn, cattle, hogs, gold, silver, copper and cotton all made record high prices this year, driven by myriad crises.

Green light for the red metal?

Supported by a lower U.S. dollar and relief over the economic situation in Europe, copper prices shot up 15 percent this week. Early Thursday morning, details were released of a comprehensive bailout package whose primary purpose was to bolster the value of the European currency. In response…

Europeans band together

Optimism surrounding the Europeans' newest solution to the debt debacle sparked a rally across markets worldwide. Led by Germany and France, European nations stated intentions to ensure their banks will remain strong, while calling on international organizations to help aid troubled nations …

Change in season shifts markets

Labor Day often is cited as the end of summer and heralded by traders as an important point in the market calendar as well. As the weather turns cooler, grilling demand for pork and beef diminishes, while natural gas heating demand picks up.

Bloodbath on Wall Street

This week's broad selloff left few markets unscathed. The heaviest selling came on Thursday, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its biggest one-day selloff since late 2008. By midday Friday, the Dow had declined by more than 1,000 points (down 8.5 percent).

Budget woes bolster gold

Gold prices leapt to a two-week high on Friday, trading as high as $1,546 per ounce. Gold climbed $60 per ounce (up4.3 percent) over the last week, as investors worldwide reacted to continued concerns about government debt worldwide. Focus recently has shifted away from Greece onto larger, m…

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Brianna Davy, left, Jenny Lee, center, and May Tomimbang, stand on a tee box during a practice round at the South Shore Championship Futures Tour Junior Pro-Am at the White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point on Tuesday.

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Brianna Davy chips during a practice round at the South Shore Championship Futures Tour Junior Pro-Am at the White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point on Tuesday. Davy is a Lake Central graduate and currently on the Valparaiso University golf team.

White Hawk Country Club

Golfers stand at a tee box during a practice round last month at the South Shore Championship Futures Tour Junior Pro-Am at the White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point. A foreclosure action has been filed and the course could go to auction this fall.