Energy Market Updates

Overnight trading set the tone for much of todays session as early markets were up well over two cents on both products. News out of European Markets showed that Greece's credit rating had been upgraded along with an unexpected increase in the consumer confidence among Germans had pushed the US dollar lower. Commodities were the unfortunate collateral damage in this scenario. More importantly, it appears that some movement by GOP leaders to increase taxes on those Americans making over $1 million a year (Phew, I'm safe!) has been seen as a major concession in the stalled talks. Again, Bullish on Commodities. Lastly, the DOE's released the weekly numbers that showed draws in distillates and Crude, -1.1mbl and 949k respectively, with a modest build in gasolines, +2.2mbl. The report was viewed as Bullish by most even with Crude missing the expectations of a 1.3mbl draw, evidence of the mentality of the day already given up to higher prices. Look for action to continue higher as a historical light trading week winds down and HO stays well within the 2.90 to 3.10 range we have been in for the last 90 days. At the close, Crude gained $1.58 to $89.51, Heat added .0391 to $3.0356 and RBOB led gaining .0522 to $3.7431.

Once again the NYMEX started off the session well into positive territory with a strong Sunday night open. Much of the gains were attributed to Chinese data released Sunday that showed its Industrial Output rose year over year, signaling stronger demand. But as the day wore on, continued worries about Europe, as the Italian Prime Minister abruptly resigned, appeared to be entering into Traders minds. That fear turned inward as the real concern centers around US distillate demand. Its Common knowledge that inventory levels of distillates are on the very low end of the range, so in the minds of most, the lack of demand is overshadowing the lack of product. Others point that this is just the season to book some profits as traders square up the quarter. I'm pleasantly surprised that we have maintained HO below the $2.95 level, a clear level of support is difficult to define at this time. At the close, Crude fell .37 to $85.56, RBOB was up only 7 points to $2.5981 and HEAT led the charge lower falling .0191 to $2.8962.