Market Commentary for April 12, 2007

Trading action improved somewhat today, giving a bit more for day traders and investors to work with. Trading ranges improved and volume was moderate. At the closing bell, here is how the major indices ended the session: the DOW (Dow Jones Industrial Average) moved higher today by 68.34 points to end the session at 12552.96; the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) moved higher by 64.13 points to end at 9477.76; the NASDAQ moved higher by 21.01 points today for a close at 2480.32; the S&P 500 moved higher by 8.93 points to end at 1447.80 and the RUSSELL 2000 moved higher by 6.81 points to close at 815.05. The FTSE All-World Index ex-US (top Large/Mid Cap aggregate from over 2,700 stocks from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS) which covers 90% of the worlds investable market capitalization) moved higher by 0.90 to close at 249.75 and the FTSE RAFI 1000 closed at 6089.25.

Economic data released for the day:

ECB Announcement: European Central Bank Governing Council decides on monetary policy. ECB released the following comments today: action of other Central Banks not an influence; analysis close to march assessment; corporate loans remain extremely dynamic; CPI to ease in coming months, rising thereafter; CPI to ease in months to come, rising end of year; ECB to act in a "firm and timely" manner; economic growth robust; Euro dips a bit as Trichet hints at June rate hike; Forex one of many policy considerations; leaving rates unchanged a unanimous sentiment; liquidity ample by all plausible measures; long-term rates remain very low; look through short-term CPI volatility; monetary developments point to upside price risks; monetary dynamics vigorous; new info confirming positive view on economy; no cause to adjust potential growth estimates; no comments aiming to change expectations; no discussion on rate hike; no new information to change judgment; rates moderate, policy on accommodative side; rates moderate, very close monitoring is warranted; risk pricing not sustainable; robust growth continues in Germany; stands by Essen statement on Forex; to closely monitor wage deals; to monitor monetary developments very carefully; to watch wage deals with "particular attention"; upward risks to price stability over medium term; very much in the same mood as March; wage deals may pose significant price risks and wage moderation remains of essence.

Import and Export Prices: Goods bought in the United States but produced abroad plus goods sold abroad but produced domestically are compiled in an index which indicates inflationary trends in internationally traded products. U.S. March Import Prices rose by 1.7% compared to consensus of an increase by 0.6%; U.S. Import Price Rise was highest since May 2006; U.S. March Non-Petroleum Import Prices rose by 0.3% and U.S. March Petroleum Import Prices rose by 9.0%.

Jobless Claims: A weekly compilation of new unemployment claims to show the number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time. The condition of the labor market is determined by an increase of the number of claims which suggests a deteriorating labor market. Labor Department reported today: Easter and Spring Breaks Boosted Claims in latest week; U.S. Jobless Claims rose by 19K to 342K for week of April 7th compared to survey of a drop by 1K and U.S. week of March 31st Continuing Claims rose by 38K to 2,527,000.

EIA Natural Gas Report: Weekly information provided by the EIA (Energy Information Administration) on natural gas stock piles in underground storage in the United States and three regions of the country. Prices for natural gas products are determined by the level of inventories. Energy Information Administration released Natural Gas report fro week of April 7th which came in at 23 Bcf.

On the commodities markets, the trend was higher across the board today for the Energy sector: Light crude moved higher by $1.84 today to close at $63.85 a barrel; Heating Oil moved higher by $0.03 to close at $1.91 a gallon; Natural Gas moved higher by $0.07 today to end at $7.92 per million BTU and Unleaded Gas closed higher by $0.03 at $2.19 a gallon.

Metals Market ended the session lower across the board today: Gold moved lower by $2.00 to close at $679.70 an ounce; Silver moved lower today by $0.04 to end the session at $13.86 an ounce; Platinum moved lower today by $1.80 to close at $1,279.50 an ounce and Copper ended the day lower by $0.08 to end at $3.50 per pound.

On the Livestock and Meat Markets, the trend was mixed across the board again today: Lean Hogs moved higher today by 0.15 at 76.55; Pork Bellies ended the day higher by 1.93 to close at 103.78 Live Cattle moved lower by 2.15 to end the day at 92.48 and Feeder Cattle ended the day lower by 2.80 to close at 108.40.

Other Commodities: Corn moved lower today by 0.50 points to end at 387.25 and Soybeans moved lower today by 8.25 to close at 738.25.

Bonds were quiet across the board today: 2 year bond closed with no change at 99 18/32; 5 year bond closed lower by 1/32 at 99 10/32; 10 year bond closed with no change at 99 4/32 and the 30 year bond closed with no change at 97 16/32.

The end of day results for the CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) which is comprised of the total Exchange Volume for Futures and Options (EVFO) including Electronic, Open Auction and Cash Exchange ended the day at 3,241,691 Open Interest for Futures moved higher by 3,882 to close at 9,742,361; the Open Interest for Options moved higher by 78,451 to close at 7,723,382 and the Open Interest for OTC moved higher by 818 to close at 4,479 for a total Open Interest of 17,470,222 for a total gain on the day by 83,151.

The e-mini Dow ended the session higher by 50 at 12604. The total Dow Exchange Volume for the day came in at 150,042 which are comprised of Electronic, Open Auction and Cash Exchange. Traders should review workshops available at the CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) Educational in-person seminars schedules available on CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) website.

On the NYSE today, advancers came in at 1,052; decliners totaled 2,175; unchanged came in at 134; new highs came in at 208 and new lows came in at 1725 New York Stock Exchange movers for the day today: IPSCO Incorporated (IPS) rallied higher on a talks of a buyout were announced by 15.06 points for a gain on the day of 11.50% to end the session at $145.96; Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR) climbed higher by 2.45 points to close at $56.50; MarineMax Incorporated (HZO) fell sharply by 14.12% to shed 3.24 points to close the session on the big board at $19.71; Nautilus Incorporated (NLS) shed 14.62% for a loss of 2.34 points to end the day at $13.67 and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) made a nice gain by 4.61 points to close at $111.02.

On the NASDAQ today, advancers came in at 1,055; decliners totaled 1,951; unchanged came in at 142 new highs came in at 82 and new lows came in at 68. Gainers and losers for the day on the NASDAQ: Fastenal Company (FAST) gained 3.32 points to close the session at $38.27; MedImmune Incorporated (MEDI) made a nice gain on the day by 14.83% for 5.61 points to end the trading session at $43.45; Advanced Magnetics Incorporated (AMAG) moved nicely higher by 10.58% to climb higher by 6.89 points for a closing price at $72.00 and CDW Corporation (CDWC) gained 3.54 points to close the day at $65.48.

Thanks for reading
Millennium-Traders