Ten Dancing Queens & Kings at OSB 2023

Ten Dancing Queens & Kings at OSB 2023

November 29, 2023Posted inUncategorizedNo Comments

In this post, I will present 10 amateur ballroom dancers who attended OSB 2023 after choosing to participate in my book (“Dancing Queens & Kings”):

  • Annette Burden (S2): Winner of both Closed-Gold Rhythm and Smooth.
  • Irene Fong (S1): Winner of Closed-Gold Smooth.
  • Eric Leininger (S1): a danceholic.
  • Brian Ames (C): Placed 3rd in MIB Rhythm and Smooth.
  • Nichelle Kennedy (C): A new champion in Open Smooth.
  • Giovanni Fortezza (C): 2nd place in Open Rhythm.
  • Sara Granberg (B): A finalist in Ballroom – Silver.
  • Alexis Salapatek (A): A new champion in Open Smooth.
  • Francesca Mattozzi (A): A rising star in Smooth and Ballroom.
  • Frank Li (S1): Winner of the top male student award (Gold) two years in a row.

Now, let me briefly highlight them one by one …

28Nov2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Stocks Up Marginally – Some Say Rise Based On Belief Fed Is Done Raising Rates

November 28, 2023Posted inmarketsNo Comments

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed up 84 points or 0.24%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 0.29%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 0.10%,
  • Gold $2042 up $29,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $76 up $1.46,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.332% down 0.056 points,
  • USD index $102.78 down $0.042,
  • Bitcoin $31,177 up $563

Click here to read our Economic Forecast for November 2023

Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

According to the U.S. CoreLogic S&P Case-Shiller Index, housing market activity, while trending along the lowest levels in more than a decade, is showing signs of stabilizing. The 20-city composite indexes posted a third month of annual increases in September 2023 –  up by 3.9%, In other words, while seasonal declines will pull home sales down in the months ahead, October home sales are now roughly equal to activity during the same period in 2022. This suggests that the fourth quarter of 2023 may see a slight increase in home sales compared with last year. At the same time, the availability of for-sale listings has also stabilized to October 2022 levels. If this trend continues, 2024 may start off with more new listings than seen in early 2023. Nevertheless, while the balancing of the housing market is an encouraging sign, lower mortgage rates will be necessary to prompt a sustained increase in home sales.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in November 2023 to 102.0 (1985=100), up from a downwardly revised 99.1 in October. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—ticked down slightly to 138.2 (1985=100), from 138.6. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose to 77.8 (1985=100) in November, up from its downwardly revised reading of 72.7 in October.

The Richmond Fed manufacturing activity slowed in November 2023. The composite manufacturing index decreased from 3 in October to −5 in November. Of its three component indexes, shipments fell from 9 to −8, new orders edged down from −4 to −5, and employment decreased from 7 to 0. Manufacturing across the U.S. remains in a recession.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

  • OPEC+ Rollover Agreement Likely Scenario, Meeting Could Be Delayed Again
  • Will the Green Energy Stock Crash Continue Next Year?
  • Oil Kneejerks On Fresh OPEC+ Discord Headlines
  • U.S. Launches Oil and Gas Lease Sales on the Eve of Climate Summit
  • Charlie Munger, investing genius and Warren Buffett’s right-hand man, dies at age 99
  • Black Friday weekend shopping turnout soars to a record, as consumers seek bargains
  • Refill Of Strategic Petroleum Reserve Slowed By Companies Delaying Return Of Borrowed Barrels
  • What Happens When Millions Of Renters Can No Longer Afford High Rents And Move Back Home?

Click on the “Read More” below to access these, other headlines, and the associated news summaries moving the markets today.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

We start with the U.S. Information. That is the longest part of the article. Then we have a short section on World Weather and then we address the Tropics. When there are tropical storms that might impact the U.S.  we provide more detailed information which updates frequently on those storms.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full report as I have moved the highlights into the body of the report where it is followed by the Today, Tomorrow and the Next Day maps and a lot more. I will try to feature the most important graphic in the lede paragraph on the home page.  But there are often multiple maps that are very important so it is best to read the full article.

27Nov2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Show Little Spark Closing Marginally In the Red

November 27, 2023Posted inmarketsNo Comments

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 11 points or 0.16%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 0.07%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 0.20%,
  • Gold $2014 up $11.20,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $75 down $0.53,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 3.385% down 0.099 points,
  • USD index $103.22 down $0.18,
  • Bitcoin $36,856 down $605

Click here to read our Economic Forecast for November 2023

Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

Sales of new single‐family houses in October 2023 were 17.7% above October 2022. The median sales price of new houses sold in October 2023 was $409,300. The average sales price was $487,000. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of October was 439,000. This represents a supply of 7.8 months at the current sales rate.

The Dallas Fed’s Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, fell 12 points to -7.2. The new orders index has been negative for 18 months and dropped from -8.8 to -20.5 in November. The capacity utilization index returned to negative territory, falling from 5.4 to -10.1. Manufacturing across the U.S. remains in a recession.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

  • Chevron’s Kazakh Oil Output Hit in Raging Black Sea Storm
  • OPEC Source Tells Reuters Bigger Cuts A Likely Option
  • Why Gasoline Prices Fall Almost Every Year Between August and November
  • Houthi Tanker Seizures Could Reignite the War Premium in Oil Markets
  • China Issues Additional Fuel Import Quotas
  • Rates may have hit their peak. How to get the biggest bang out of cash heading into 2024
  • S&P 500 to reach record 5,100 next year, fueled by bumper corporate profits
  • Guess Which Automaker Has “Absurdly High Inventory Levels”

Click on the “Read More” below to access these, other headlines, and the associated news summaries moving the markets today.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

We start with the U.S. Information. That is the longest part of the article. Then we have a short section on World Weather and then we address the Tropics. When there are tropical storms that might impact the U.S.  we provide more detailed information which updates frequently on those storms.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the report as I have moved the highlights into the body of the report.

Yes, indeed I have been able to add the Ski Report. I probably could add a way to enter a zip code and get a 10-day forecast for that zip code but that is easily done from a computer or smartphone. The purpose of this article is to provide a daily overview of the current weather in the U.S. with enough information to understand why the weather will be what it is and how it is likely to change over the next few days and the next few weeks.

I do not get paid for writing this article but I want to keep track of how many read it as that is how I can tell if I am providing the information that readers want and find useful. I have access to information that might be difficult to find for most readers. And it is in one place.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted November 26, 2023

November 26, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

We start with the U.S. Information. That is the longest part of the article. Then we have a short section on World Weather and then we address the Tropics. When there are tropical storms that might impact the U.S.  we provide more detailed information on those storms which updates frequently.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the report as I have moved the highlights into the body of the report. Yes, indeed I have been able to add the Ski Report. I do not get paid for writing this article but I want to keep track of how many read it as that is how I can tell if I am providing the information that readers want and find useful. I have access to information that might be difficult to find for most readers.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted November 25, 2023

November 25, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

Here is what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook.

We start with the U.S. Information. You can update this section here but these are 48 to 72-hour forecasts so if I have not been able to update this area twice daily, what is shown is still valid and the images in the body of the article update automatically but sometimes they are a bit slow to update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Sat Nov 25 2023
Valid 12Z Sat Nov 25 2023 – 12Z Mon Nov 27 2023

…Winter storm with areas of heavy snow and gusty winds continues further
into the Central Plains Saturday…

…Broad area of showers and thunderstorms expected across the eastern
U.S. Sunday; areas of moderate lake-effect snow possible for the Great
Lakes…

…Temperatures will be below average for large sections of the country
this holiday weekend…

24Nov2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Rise For the Fourth Straight Week

November 24, 2023Posted inmarketsNo Comments

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed up 117 points or 0.33%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 0.11%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 0.06%,
  • Gold $2,004 up$11,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $75 down $2,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.72% down 0.008 points,
  • USD index $103.38 down $0.40,
  • Bitcoin $37.850 up $545

Click here to read our Economic Forecast for November 2023

Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

No major releases today

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

  • Bloomberg Analyst Survey Predicts OPEC+ Output Extension
  • Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Set to Be the Largest Since Deepwater Horizon
  • Russia Becomes EU’s 2nd-Largest Supplier of Refined Petroleum Via India
  • UAE Enforces Stricter Rules on Russian Firms in Clamp Down on Sanctions Evasion
  • Indonesia Begins Construction on Its First Carbon Storage Project
  • Los Angeles Leads 2023 National Shoplifting Spree
  • US Forest Fire Burn Acreage Plunges To Multi-Decade Lows
  • Community Colleges And Trade Schools Are Largely Void Of Israel-Hamas Protests
  • Oil prices fall for 5th straight week as traders look ahead to delayed OPEC+ meeting

Click on the “Read More” below to access these, other headlines, and the associated news summaries moving the markets today.