"Stocks in the Spotlight"

- Futures -
April -- 13 -- 2018 UPDATED WEEKLY

PRECIOUS METALS

GOLD (CMX)
June 2017
($US per Troy Oz.)
Week Ending
4/13/2018

Closing price
$1,348.60
+11.30
on the week

Gold

SILVER (CMX)
May 2018
(per 100 Troy Oz.)
Week Ending
4/13/2018

Closing price
$1,664.00
+28.00
on the week

Silver futures

PLATINUM (NYM)
July 2018
($US per Troy Oz.)
Week Ending
4/13/2018

Closing price
$934.30
+13.70
on the week

Old Yeller closed at $1,348.60, up $13.70 on the week and up $21.30 for March. Silver gained $0.28 on the week, closing at 16.64, with resistance at $20.

Closing monthly gold prices in 2017.

up $39.00 for January,
up $67.00 for February,
off -$10.60 for March,
up $22.10 for April,
off -$2.80 for May,
off -$33.40 for June,
up $27.60 for July,
up $27.50 for August,
off -$14.00 for September,
off -$7.90 for October,
up $12.70 for November,
up $17.80 for December.

Closing monthly gold prices in 201a.

up $44.60 for January,
off -$24.28 for February,
off -$3.20 for March.

The metals were higher on the week mostly due to concerns for inflation and higher interest rate's. I do not believe there is much higher ground ahead for the Metals. Silver has been the strongest performer so far. If wanting into the metals waiting a bit longer might be the better bet.

The total gain/loss for the entire year:

2011 at $1568.80,up $147.40 (10.37%),
2012 at $1655.90, up $89.10 (5.69%);
2013, at $1202.30, off -$453.60 (-27.30%);
2014, at $1184.10, off -$18.20 (-1.51%);
2015, at $1060.50, off -$123.60 (-9.50%) and
2016, at $1152.00, up +$91.50 (+7.94%)
2017, at $1305.10, up +$153.10 (+13.28%).

Gold closed back over the $1300 level for week 16 after staying under it for 10 weeks after staying over 1 week, and over the $1200 level for week 60 after staying under it for 1 week.

CURRENCY

British Pound (In US Dollars) Week Ending 4/13/2018 Closing price 1.42373 +0.01484 on the week (0.7024 pounds for the dollar) -0.00740
Euro (In US Dollars) Week Ending 4/13/2018 Closing price $1.2374 +0.005535 on the week (0.8106) euro for the dollar) -0.003652
Japanese Yen (In US Dollars) Week Ending 4/13/2018 Closing price $0.009317 -0.000035 on the week (107.33) yen for the dollar) +0.3963

The dollar closed mixed against the currencies mostly due to inflation worries possible increase in rates along with a possibility of a trade war. The yen had been outperforming the rest, but currently over resistance at .0089 leaving the next support at .0084 and next resistance at.0099 The euro has remained over the dollar for 76m straight weeks.

It seems the dollar is mostly caught in a trading range because of the growing Pres. Trump economy. I expect the dollar to remain weaker for a bit longer but increase due to inflation fears and I would expect oil and metals to work lower.

The Feds have a major problem with the Federal Reserve just itching to increase interest rates. (They increased in December)

OIL - LIGHT CRUDE

LIGHT CRUDE (NYM)
May - 2018
($US per bbl.)
Week Ending
4/13/2018

Closing price
$67.39
+5.44

Future oil prices

Friday's close (May's futures) is $ 61.95 up $5.44 a barrel, versus the week before at $61.95. 111 weeks ago, 1.15.16, was the first time under $30 since 10.31.03 when it closed at $29.11. The record "weekly" closing high is $145.08 a barrel on 7/11/08.

Oil prices closed over the $50 level for week 27 after staying under it for 1 week and over the $60 level for week 9 after staying under for 1 week. Recent news tells us there appears to be much oil available, but recent missiles exploding in Syria, inflationary concerns in the good old USA along with the possibility of higher interest rates and a trade war has helped move the price of oil higher There are too many oil-producing countries that need the money and I'm betting the recent increase in price per barrel won't last.

Currently due to the confusion in oil-producing countries it is impossible to solve the near-term direction. I just don't believe that the higher prices are going to hold too long because there is more oil out there than we can use.

Oil prices effect the entire world because, in one way or another, we all use oil

Crude Oil prices were at a low of $11.26 a barrel in February of 1999.

I'm J.R. Budke and this is my opinion!

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J.R. Budke has been a stock broker since 1981, an options principle since 1982 and a branch office manager since 1987. He is currently inactive as a stockbroker as of 12/31/99. J.R. has been writing the articles and opinions for the Stocks in the Spotlight, in conjunction with the editor B.G. Santos, since 1990. The stories and stocks found on this site, or any "Stocks in the spotlight" written material, are the opinions of J.R. Budke unless other wise stated and are opinions only and are not to be construed as advice. You should not purchase any stocks solely on the opinions found on the "Stocks in the Spotlight's" web site or in any of it's written material. You should also be aware that options are not for everybody and carry a high degree of risk. You should always consult with your broker or investment advisor before purchasing any stock.

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