Smith Faculty Opinion Article

John Haslem By Dr. John A. Haslem, Professor Emeritus of Finance
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The 30 Seconds Outlook
January 1, 2011

What is the overall implication of the late 2010 price increases for the year 2011? Do these price increases signal:

  1. increase in sales and production demand for commodities?
  2. increase in consumer price inflation?
  3. mistaken recent and expected monetary policies?
  4. uncertainty in business and trade outlooks due to Obama anti-business regulations and policies?
  5. other ________________?

Please email at jhaslem@rhsmith.umd.edu.

2010: Late Trading Prices and Price Increases

  1. Oil trading at $89 a barrel, up 21%.
  2. Gold trading at $1,413 per oz., up 23%.
  3. Silver trading at $30 per oz., up 66%.
  4. Copper trading at $4 per pound, up 26%.
  5. Corn trading at $5.73 a bushel, up 49%.
  6. Soybeans trading at $13.00 a bushel, up 23%.
  7. Wheat trading at $7.79 a bushel, up 41%.
  8. Pork trading at $1.04 per pound, up 23%.
  9. Beef trading at $1.06 per pound, up 28%.
  10. Cotton trading at $1.30 per pound, up 78%.
  11. Sugar trading at $0.29 per pound, up 32%.
  12. Coffee trading at $2.05 per pound, up 40%.

John A. Haslem