Brian Wittal

Aug. 31 –– Global equity markets started the day off with losses and continued the trend to the close of trade, and that seemed to filter over into the financial and grain markets.  Financial markets ended down minimally on the day with the U.S. dollar down two-10ths of a cent today. The Canadian dollar closed […] Read more

Aug. 28 — Outside markets tried to show some strength early on, but then profit-taking started to kick in and quickly stalled out that early momentum. Financial markets followed the same pattern today, with a positive opening that soon fizzled out to end the day mixed to down for the most part. The U.S. dollar […] Read more

Aug. 27 –– It looks like “same story, different day.” Financial markets were in a mixed mood again today as they looked for news to respond to and there really wasn’t any. The U.S. dollar is down just over half a cent today. The Canadian dollar is up 1.18 cents at US92.23 cents. The Dow […] Read more

Aug. 26 — Financial markets were in a mixed mood today and seem to drift at times with no real news to help guide them. Wheat was the only grain that showed any positive reaction today and that came on the news of a sale to Egypt and reports out of Germany of lower production […] Read more

Aug. 25 — U.S. financial markets showed some renewed life today, bolstered by a report that showed consumer confidence increased more than expected in August, and a U.S. housing data report also showed better numbers, which most believe are signs that the U.S. economy is starting to improve. This provided support for the U.S. dollar […] Read more

Aug. 24 — Financial markets started off with a bang today but fell off of the highs as the day went on, to finish with small gains at the close. Economic news released by Statistics Canada today showed retail sales for June were up one per cent over the previous month, which was higher than […] Read more

Aug. 21 — My report is early today as I will be away this afternoon. Financial markets are showing solid gains today in response to economic news that seems to indicate the U.S. economy has hit bottom and is seeing glimmers of recovery. Housing sales in July are up 7.2 per cent over last July, […] Read more

Aug. 20 –– Markets were rather quiet today with very little trade happening. Financial markets are up ever so slightly on very thin trading volumes as well. Grains struggled along again today, with no real direction or news to prompt any real trading action. Weekly export sales numbers for corn were above expectations and beans […] Read more

Aug. 19 –– Financial markets continued with a slow climb upward again today. Overnight world markets were mixed, so U.S. financial markets struggled to start but were able to end the day with positive results. Grains struggled along again today with no real direction or news to prompt any real trading action. Trading in canola […] Read more

Aug. 18 — Financial markets did a bit of a turnaround today and showed positive gains at day’s end. Grains struggled for the most part but beans and corn were able to end with small gains while wheat ended up down slightly.  The U.S. dollar is down a quarter of a cent today. The Canadian […] Read more