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Weakening $ ?

West Texas Intermediate fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since July amid forecasts that crude stockpiles increased to a three-month high in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer.

Futures declined as much as 1 percent in New York, trading for less than $100 for the first time since July 3. U.S. crude inventories probably climbed by 3 million barrels to 373.5 million in the week ended Oct. 11, according to a Bloomberg News survey before a government report today. That would be the highest level since July. A Nigerian rebel group said it plans to escalate a violent campaign of disrupting oil production by targeting offshore fields.

Full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-21/wti-falls-on-forecast-gain-in-u-s-supplies-to-three-month-high.html

Another all time high closing yesterday T40 @ 40,544, All-share @ 45,357 thanks to gold producers like Ashanti (+7,92%), Billiton's (+3,82%) 2014 iron ore production target as well as their quarterly record for petroleum output.  Also assisting was Pick & Pay's (+7,81%) double-digit rise in first-half profit and overall optimism just because it is spring I guess.

This morning paints another picture with Asia all red except for Singapore @ +0.06, but you could also call that red to be fair.

Gold @ 1337, Crude 98, IGMT40 -82, F&G 64 'Greed', US Futures red.

10:00 SA CPI previous 0.30%, expect 0.50%

New highs for Sanlam, CML, Metair, EOH, Netcare, MrPrice, Steinhoff, Mondi, Firstrand, Standard and lonely new low for Ellies.

Almost fainted last night at dinner when I saw this quote from Shakespeare on one of those sugar sachets: (not that I use sugar but anyway):

'Poor and content is rich, and rich enough.'

Today's economic data was limited to weekly initial claims and the August trade balance report. The initial jobless claims count totaled 350,000, which was higher than the 341,000 that had been expected by the Briefing.com consensus. Today's tally was below the prior week count of 362,000. As for continuing claims, they fell to 2.874 million from 2.882 million. However, it should be noted the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the state of California continued working through backlogs that began in September.

Separately, the trade deficit widened to $38.8 billion in August from a downwardly revised $38.6 billion reported in July

SRC=Nasdaq

and..

Consumer confidence dropped last week to an eight-month low as Americans grew increasingly concerned the budget standoff in Washington will damage the world’s largest economy.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index declined in the period ended Oct. 20 to minus 36.1, the lowest since February, from minus 34.1. More households were pessimistic about the economy than at any time in the past year even as lawmakers approved a deal that ended the partial shutdown of federal agencies.

What's happening today?

First off, so glad my surname is not Schindehütte for more than one reason.

Secondly, all Asian markets down on earnings, Nikkei -2.64%, Shanghai - 1.08%, rest ranging -0.02% and -0.60%.

Gold 1343, Crude 97, IGM T40 +54.  Might be prudent to mention that SA only green atm, at least until 8:30.  Europe & US red.

10:00 German Business Climate Index
10:30 GB GDP
14:30 US Core Durable Good Orders

Have a good one.

Gold is also looking good ...  - Good for South Africa

Asia lower, eyeing tomorrow's Feds policy decision although weak US pending home sales yesterday missed expectations, (-5.6% to lowest level since Dec), soothing others again into believing that poor data will force central bank to keep its bond-buying program unchanged.

US futures red, gold @ 1353 (5-week high), crude 98, VIX 13.31, IGMT40 @ -38 (8:29)

New highs for CML, MrPrice, Firstrand, Nedcor, Old Mutual, Brait & Mondi.

Consensus change to buy for Abil & Netcare.  Hold for Mediclinic, Clicks & Life Health Group.

11:30 SA Unemployed rate, previous 25.60%.
14:30 US Core PPI & Retail sales.

T40 @ -99 now.

Asia all green, US futures green but just, Gold @ 1345, Crude FUT 98 (WTI) & Brent FUT 108.

IGM changed their web site & margins and with that, you have to login now before you can see live 24hr (almost) T40 detail, guess it means I'm not suppose to publish it here anymore. I'll just have to think of a super spy code to indicate a yay or nay day.  Didn't they know that sharing is caring?     Catch my drift?
 
Anyway, let's focus on other sites who share:

F&G @ 64 indicating 'Greed'.

14:15 US Non-farm
14:30 US CPI
20:00 US FOMC Statement, also know as 'the big one.'

Back home new highs for Wescoal, Aspen, EOH, Bidvest, Nedcor, Firstrand, RMBH, Mondi, PSG & new low for Argent.

Consensus changes to hold for CFR, INP, AVI, LBH & buy for Naspers.