Baltic Dry Index
BDIY:IND
310.00
-4.00
-1.27%
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ALERT: Nomi Prins Issues Dire Warning – We May Have Just Witnessed The Trigger For The Next Global Collapse
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THE DAY IS FAST APPROACHING WHERE THERE WILL BE NO CASH AT ALL-READ THE ARTICLE ON THE FRONT OF DRUDGE ON THE RICH PULLING THEIR FUNDS OUT OF THE BANK
We live on the outskirts of St Paul, MN. About 3 months ago my husband
cashed a $900 payroll check and the clerk literally handed him a stack of
bills 2 inches high. About a month ago when I went to cash a $1000
paycheck the clerk advised me that they (Anchor Bank) were changing their
policy and soon we would no longer be allow to cash checks. We would have
to deposit them and there would be a waiting period before we could
withdraw our money.
cashed a $900 payroll check and the clerk literally handed him a stack of
bills 2 inches high. About a month ago when I went to cash a $1000
paycheck the clerk advised me that they (Anchor Bank) were changing their
policy and soon we would no longer be allow to cash checks. We would have
to deposit them and there would be a waiting period before we could
withdraw our money.
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This was in 2012 - Warning: Get Your Money Out: “All Legal Bank Deposit Protections Are Now Officially Gone”
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Steve,
I just read the alert on your site about the fellow who went to his bank and had to wait for the teller to go to the vault to get his cash, as they were out. I'm in Maryland. This past Friday, (January 29, 2016) my husband and I went to one of the larger Maryland banks that we have been dealing with for many, many, years. We are retired, so we only go to the bank once a month to get enough spending cash to last us the month. We never had a problem until this time. I normally wait in the car while my husband goes inside to do the banking. When he came out, he apologized for taking a lot longer than usual. He said the teller had to go to the vault, as they were out of $20.00 bills!!!!!! Dolores
I just read the alert on your site about the fellow who went to his bank and had to wait for the teller to go to the vault to get his cash, as they were out. I'm in Maryland. This past Friday, (January 29, 2016) my husband and I went to one of the larger Maryland banks that we have been dealing with for many, many, years. We are retired, so we only go to the bank once a month to get enough spending cash to last us the month. We never had a problem until this time. I normally wait in the car while my husband goes inside to do the banking. When he came out, he apologized for taking a lot longer than usual. He said the teller had to go to the vault, as they were out of $20.00 bills!!!!!! Dolores
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Just letting you know here in Jacksonville, Florida, that a local
restaurant chain, SONNY'S BBQ, is out of Turkey meat, and is telling its
customers that they don't know when they will get the quality of turkey
they prefer back in. The restaurant confirmed that the corporate office
is doing their best, but there is a nation-wide shortage of turkey, and
only the main big chain distributors are able to get meat. wow.....any
one else having revised menus' in their part of the country?? SHEILA
restaurant chain, SONNY'S BBQ, is out of Turkey meat, and is telling its
customers that they don't know when they will get the quality of turkey
they prefer back in. The restaurant confirmed that the corporate office
is doing their best, but there is a nation-wide shortage of turkey, and
only the main big chain distributors are able to get meat. wow.....any
one else having revised menus' in their part of the country?? SHEILA
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Hi Steve, I work at a grocery store, part of a huge chain. Normally, when
we are out of an item that is in our flyers, we can write a rain check for
the customer to purchase within the month. There have been a few times
lately, when we have an item on our flyers, the distributor is totally out
of the item and we can't write rain checks as they don't know if we will be
able to get that item again. One time last week the actual company (not
just the distributor) had no more of this item in stock. So there are
shortages up here in Canada too
we are out of an item that is in our flyers, we can write a rain check for
the customer to purchase within the month. There have been a few times
lately, when we have an item on our flyers, the distributor is totally out
of the item and we can't write rain checks as they don't know if we will be
able to get that item again. One time last week the actual company (not
just the distributor) had no more of this item in stock. So there are
shortages up here in Canada too
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‘Lucifer’ Goes Mainstream: Fox Promotes New Satanic TV Series Fox News Network has long been a source that many Evangelical Christians have gone to for news and information from a more conservative viewpoint. In recent weeks, however, many believers have been shocked to see advertisements for the new television series ‘Lucifer’, premiering on the Fox Television Network. The ads have been noted on the
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The Fed Floats Negative Interest Rate Trial Balloon On the heels of The Bank of Japan’s recent move to implement negative interest rates, Bloomberg is reporting that The Federal Reserve is now inching towards making a similar move: In its annual stress test for 2016, the Fed said it will assess the resilience of big banks to a number of possible situations, including one
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Baltic Dry Index Hits All-Time Low of 310; Rail Traffic Continues Decline News released Tuesday reveals that the Baltic Dry Index has reached a record low of 310. The Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry
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BITE FEAR...
NOW SPREAD BY SEX... FLORIDA GOVERNOR DECLARES 'EMERGENCY'...
RED CROSS changes blood donation policy...
OFFICIALS SAY BRAZIL SHARING FEW SAMPLES...
Pregnant Victims Will Be Given Access to Abortions At Sea... Could Zika Doom Rio Summer Olympics?
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BITE FEAR...
NOW SPREAD BY SEX... FLORIDA GOVERNOR DECLARES 'EMERGENCY'...
RED CROSS changes blood donation policy...
OFFICIALS SAY BRAZIL SHARING FEW SAMPLES...
Pregnant Victims Will Be Given Access to Abortions At Sea... Could Zika Doom Rio Summer Olympics?
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In Canada, Transgender Boys Will Use Girls Restrooms An organization battling for freedoms in Canada has taken up the cause battling the onslaught of the LGBT agenda, where the fight over the rights of transgender boys to use girls’ restrooms has ensued. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) of Canada has received no response from Alberta Education Minister David Eggen about whether his new
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Family of Oregon rancher shot by law enforcement alleges cover-up Relatives of a man shot dead by law enforcement officers after taking part in the armed occupation of a U.S. wildlife refuge in Oregon have accused the FBI and state police of covering up the circumstances of his death last week. In a statement issued on Tuesday, family of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum called the shooting
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Cliven Bundy defies son Ammon in call for Oregon militia to stand their ground The Guardian - Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who led a standoff with the federal government in 2014, wants the protesters in Oregonto stand their ground – directly defying the message of his son, Ammon. Days after militia leader Ammon Bundy, now in jail in Portland, Oregon, called on the final four occupiers at the Malheur national wildlife refuge to surrender and go home, the elder Bundy sent a letter to government officials declaring that the armed militia would not be backing down.
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Harney County Protest Draws Hundreds on Both Sides Oath Keepers - Several hundred people attended a protest rally at the Harney County Courthouse in Burns, Oregon on Monday. There was a definite division between groups. Supporters of Judge Grasty, Sheriff David Ward, and the local government stood on the grounds and sidewalks, with their backs to the courthouse. Citizens upset with LaVoy Finicum’s Death, overwhelmed with the BLM land grab issues, and others responding to a ‘Call-to-Action’ by the Pacific Patriot Network of militias, stood facing them in the street and surrounding areas. Overall, it was a mostly peaceful rally, even if it was rather loud.
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Army and Marine Corps chiefs: It’s time for women to register for the draft Washington Post - The top officers in the Army and Marine Corps testified on Tuesday that they believe it is time for women to register for future military drafts, following the Pentagon’s recent decision to open all jobs in combat units to female service members. Gen. Mark A. Milley, chief of staff of the Army, and Gen. Robert B. Neller, the Marine Corps commandant, both said they were in favor of the change during an occasionally contentious Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the full integration of women in the military. The generals, both infantry officers, offered their opinions in response to a question from Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who said that she also is in favor of the change.
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Negative Interest Rates Already In Fed’s Official Scenario Zero Hedge - "The severely adverse scenario is characterized by a severe global recession, accompanied by a period of heightened corporate financial stress and negative yields for short-term U.S. Treasury securities.... As a result of the severe decline in real activity and subdued inflation, short-term Treasury rates fall to negative ½ percent by mid-2016 and remain at that level through the end of the scenario."
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S&P Just Downgraded 10 Of The Biggest US Energy Companies
Zero Hedge -
Just 10 days after "Moody's Put Over Half A Trillion Dollars In Energy Debt On Downgrade Review", moments ago S&P decided it wanted to be first out of the gate with a wholesale downgarde of the US energy companies, and announced that it was taking rating actions on 20 investment-grade companies, including 10 downgrades.
The full release is below:
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that it has taken rating actions on 20 investment-grade U.S. oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) companies after completing a review. The review followed the recent revision of our hydrocarbon price assumptions (see "S&P Lowers its Hydrocarbon Price Assumptions On Market Oversupply; Recovery Price Deck Assumptions Also Lowered," published Jan. 12, 2016).
While oil prices deteriorated over the past 15 months, the U.S.-based investment-grade companies we rate had been largely immune to downgrades. However, given the magnitude of the recent reductions in our price deck, most of the investment-grade companies were affected during this review. We expect that many of these companies will continue to lower capital spending and focus on efficiencies and drilling core properties. However, these actions, for the most part, are insufficient to stem the meaningful deterioration expected in
credit measures over the next few years.
A list of rating actions on the affected companies follows.
DOWNGRADES
Chevron Corp. Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To AA-/Stable/A-1+ From AA/Negative/A-1+
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices and refining margins, the company's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'AA' rating over the next two years. We anticipate Chevron will significantly outspend internally generated cash flow to fund major project capital spending and dividends this year and generate little cash available for debt reduction over the following two years. We note that the company has significantly more debt than in the last cyclical downturn while oil and gas production are at similar levels. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that credit measures will improve over the next three
years assuming lower capital spending and higher commodity prices.
EOG Resources Inc.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB+/Stable/A-2 From A-/Stable/A-2
The downgrade reflects increased leverage following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, along with lower capital spending and a slight production decline in 2016. We now expect funds from operations (FFO)/debt to fall and remain below 45% over the next two years, which we view as too low for an 'A-' rating, given the company's strong business risk profile. The stable outlook reflects our estimate that FFO/debt will approach 30% in 2016 and improve thereafter as commodity prices rise under our price deck assumptions. We apply a one-notch uplift to the anchor for comparable rating analysis, given that EOG's leverage is lower than many of its 'BBB' rated peers.
Apache Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB/Stable/A-2 From BBB+/Stable/A-2
The downgrade reflects increased leverage following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, along with lower capital expenditures and a modest year-over-year production decline in 2016. We now expect FFO/debt to fall and remain below 30% over the next two years, levels we view as too low for a 'BBB+' rating, given the company's strong business risk profile. The stable outlook reflects our estimate that FFO/debt will approach 20% in 2016 and improve thereafter as commodity prices rise under our price deck assumptions.
Devon Energy Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB/Stable/A-2 From BBB+/Negative/A-2
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, the company's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'BBB' rating through 2018. Devon outlined steps to reduce debt following acquisitions announced in December 2015, including selling assets. However, we anticipate that the company will outspend internally generated cash flow over the next two years without further limiting capital spending or reducing dividends. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that Devon's credit measures will improve over the next three years under our rising commodity price assumptions.
Hess Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB-/Stable/-- From BBB/Stable/--
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, the company's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'BBB' rating over the next two years. Hess enters 2016 with ample liquidity, including $2.7 billion in cash and has sharply curtailed capital spending. However, we forecast that the company will outspend internally generated cash flow to fund capital spending and dividends through 2018. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that credit measures will improve over the forecast period. We note that proceeds from assets sales, operating cost reductions, or other sources of funding could provide an opportunity to improve the company's balance sheet.
Marathon Oil Corp. Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB-/Stable/A-3 From BBB/Stable/A-2
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, Marathon's credit measures will be consistently below our expectations for the 'BBB' rating. Marathon enters 2016 with ample liquidity, including $1.2 billion in cash and has substantially reduced capital spending and dividends. We estimate that the company will outspend generated cash flow to fund capital spending and dividends this year and that cash flow coverage of debt has declined meaningfully. The stable outlook reflects our projections that credit measures will improve over the next two years. We note that proceeds from assets sales or other external sources of funding could provide an opportunity to improve the company's balance sheet.
Murphy Oil Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB-/Stable/-- From BBB/Negative/--
The downgrade reflects our expectation of increased leverage and worsening credit measures following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price deck assumptions. Despite the company's recent reduction in planned capital spending for 2016, we expect debt to EBITDAX to remain above 2x and FFO to debt below 30%, which we view as too high for a 'BBB' rating, given the company's satisfactory business risk profile. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that debt to EBITDAX will remain below 4x under our base case assumptions.
Continental Resources Inc.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BB+/Stable/-- From BBB-/Stable/--; Recovery Rating '3' (high end of the range) assigned.
The downgrade reflects our expectation of increased leverage and worsening credit measures following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price deck assumptions. Despite Continental's reduction in capital spending for 2016, we expect FFO to debt to fall below 20% and debt to EBITDAX to exceed 4x over the next two years. We view these credit measures as too high for a 'BBB-' rating, given what we view the company's business risk profile as satisfactory. We now view Continental Resources' financial profile as aggressive. We also assigned a '3' (high end of the range) recovery rating to the company's senior unsecured notes.
Hunt Oil Co.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BB+/Negative/-- From BBB-/Negative/--
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, Hunt Oil's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'BBB-' rating over the next two years. In addition, the company is challenged by continued suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments from Yemen due to ongoing fighting in the country. Hunt has an interest in the Yemen gas liquefaction plant and receives substantial distributions when the project is operating. The negative outlook reflects the likelihood that we will lower the rating if we do not expect LNG shipments from Yemen to resume by end of third quarter of 2016, or other factors occur that result in weaker than currently anticipated credit measures.
Southwestern Energy Co.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BB+/Negative/B From BBB-/Stable/A-3; Recovery Rating '3' (low end of the range) assigned.
The downgrade reflects our expectation of increased leverage and worsening credit measures following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price deck assumptions, and incorporates our assumption of significantly reduced capital spending and a moderate production decline in 2016. We now expect FFO to debt to fall and remain below 20% over the next two years, which we view as too low for a 'BBB-' rating, given that we view the company's business risk profile as satisfactory. We now view Southwestern Energy's financial profile as aggressive. We also assigned a '3' (low end of the range) recovery rating to the company's senior unsecured debt. The negative outlook reflects the potential for a downgrade if we no longer expect FFO/debt to improve to above 20% in 2018.
LONG-TERM CORPORATE CREDIT RATING PLACED ON CREDITWATCH WITH NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS; SHORT-TERM RATING AFFIRMED
Exxon Mobil Corp.: 'AAA' Corporate Credit Rating Placed On CreditWatch With Negative Implications; 'A-1+' Short-Term Rating Affirmed
The CreditWatch placement reflects the expectation that credit measures will be weak for the ratings through 2018 under our price assumptions. We will assess management's financial policies and strategies for mitigating the potential impact of the downturn, as well as review the company's 2015 financial results and the implications for credit quality. We currently expect to resolve our review within 90 days. We currently anticipate that if we lower ratings, we would not lower them by more than one notch.
RATINGS PLACED ON CREDITWATCH WITH NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS
ConocoPhillips: 'A' Long-Term And 'A-1' Short-Term Corporate Credit Ratings Placed On CreditWatch With Negative Implications
The negative CreditWatch placement reflects the potential that we could lower ratings over the next 90 days pending a review of expected 2016-2018 financial results, and ConocoPhillips' ability to fund expected negative free cash flow without materially increasing debt leverage. We currently expect to resolve our review within 90 days. We intend to review the company's ability to achieve expected cost savings and substantial asset sales and its ability to lower capital spending without significantly affecting production levels.
Newfield Exploration Co.: 'BBB-' Corporate Credit Rating Placed On CreditWatch With Negative Implications
The CreditWatch placement reflects our expectation that credit measures will be weak for the current rating over the next one to two years. We will assess management's financial policies and strategies for mitigating the potential impact of lower commodity prices over the next several weeks, as well as review the company's 2015 financial results and the implications for credit quality. We expect to resolve the CreditWatch placement within 90 days. We currently anticipate that if we lower the ratings, we would not lower them by more than one notch.
RATINGS AFFIRMED; OUTLOOK REVISED
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.: 'BBB' Corporate Credit And 'A-2' Short-Term Ratings Affirmed; Outlook Revised To Negative From Stable;
The outlook revision reflects increased leverage following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, along with lower capital spending and a modest year-over-year production decline in 2016. The negative outlook reflects our estimate that FFO/debt could fall below 20% and debt/EBITDAX could exceed 4x for a sustained period if the company does not complete additional noncore assets sales, as we currently anticipate.
National Fuel Gas Co. (NFG): 'BBB' Corporate Credit Rating And 'A-2' Short-Term Ratings Affirmed; Outlook Revised to Negative From Stable.
The negative outlook reflects our expectation that the company's credit measures will be weak for the ratings over the next two years because of lower oil and gas prices. NFG has curtailed E&P spending, but we expect spending and dividends to exceeds internally generated cash flow over the next two years, in part, due to investment in a pipeline expansion. We forecast that the company's credit measures will return to acceptable levels for the rating in 2018 due to higher expected commodity prices, increased E&P production, and lower capital spending.
Noble Energy Inc.: 'BBB' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Revised To Negative From Stable
We revised our rating outlook to negative from stable, reflecting our expectation that credit measures will remain weak for the ratings over the next one to two years. Although we expect the company to remain cash flow neutral for the year under our revised price assumptions, we expect FFO/debt to remain below 30% in 2016 and 2017, and adjusted debt/EBITDA to rise slightly above 3x in 2017, but we believe both measures will improve in 2018. We could lower the rating if we project that the company will sustain adjusted debt/EBITDA above 3x for a prolonged period.
RATINGS AFFIRMED
Occidental Petroleum Corp.: 'A' Corporate Credit Rating And 'A-1' Short-Term Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
We have affirmed the ratings on Occidental, reflecting our expectation that the company will continue to maintain conservative financial policies such that FFO/debt will average above 60% through 2018, albeit modestly below 60% in 2016. Our expectations include the receipt of about $1 billion from Ecuador in 2016 for the recent settlement awarded by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, which is a key support underlying our expectations. Cash flows are supported by the start of the Al Hosn gas project in the United Arab Emirates and the low decline rate of the company's Permian enhanced oil recovery operations.
EQT Corp.: 'BBB' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
We have affirmed the ratings on EQT, reflecting our expectation that it will continue to maintain conservative financial policies, such that FFO/debt will not fall below 45% for a sustained period. EQT should continue to benefit from its midstream operations that allow it to capture more favorable pricing to help buffer the negative price differentials typical of Marcellus shale producers.
Cimarex Energy Co.: 'BBB-' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
Although credit measures should weaken for Cimarex Energy Co. in 2016 under our revised price assumptions, we expect them to remain adequate for the rating. We project FFO/debt above 40% in 2016 and commit the majority of its capital in the Permian and the Mid-Continent region, albeit at reduced levels in response to the current hydrocarbon prices. The stable outlook reflects our view that the company's leverage will improve in 2017 and liquidity will remain strong.
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.: 'BBB-' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
The affirmation reflects our view that Pioneer will maintain FFO/debt above 45% over the next two years, as it continues to invest and grow production in the Permian Basin. Our estimates incorporate the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, a modest year-over-year increase in capital spending, about 10% production growth in 2016, and the company's recent $1.4 billion equity offering./
Retail Collapsing in America As Shoppers Tighten Spending: “Entire Malls Now Completely Abandoned”Michael Snyder - Major retailers in the United States are shutting down hundreds of stores, and shoppers are reporting alarmingly bare shelves in many retail locations that are still open all over the country. It appears that the retail apocalypse that made so many headlines in 2015 has gone to an entirely new level as we enter 2016. As economic activity slows down and Internet retailers capture more of the market, brick and mortar retailers are cutting their losses. This is especially true in areas that are on the lower portion of the income scale. In impoverished urban centers all over the nation, it is not uncommon to find entire malls that have now been completely abandoned. It has been estimated that there is about a billion square feet of retail space sitting empty in this country, and this crisis is only going to get worse as the retail apocalypse accelerates. We always get a wave of store closings after the holiday shopping season, but this year has been particularly active. The following are just a few of the big retailers that have already made major announcements…/
Is It Time To Panic About Deutsche Bank?
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Vancouver Real Estate Goes Full-Retard; Average Home Price Now $1.8 Million
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GERMANY UNVEILS 'CASH CONTROLS' PUSH: BAN TRANSACTIONS OVER €5,000, €500 EURO NOTE
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Cliven Bundy defies son Ammon in call for Oregon militia to stand their ground The Guardian - Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who led a standoff with the federal government in 2014, wants the protesters in Oregonto stand their ground – directly defying the message of his son, Ammon. Days after militia leader Ammon Bundy, now in jail in Portland, Oregon, called on the final four occupiers at the Malheur national wildlife refuge to surrender and go home, the elder Bundy sent a letter to government officials declaring that the armed militia would not be backing down.
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Harney County Protest Draws Hundreds on Both Sides Oath Keepers - Several hundred people attended a protest rally at the Harney County Courthouse in Burns, Oregon on Monday. There was a definite division between groups. Supporters of Judge Grasty, Sheriff David Ward, and the local government stood on the grounds and sidewalks, with their backs to the courthouse. Citizens upset with LaVoy Finicum’s Death, overwhelmed with the BLM land grab issues, and others responding to a ‘Call-to-Action’ by the Pacific Patriot Network of militias, stood facing them in the street and surrounding areas. Overall, it was a mostly peaceful rally, even if it was rather loud.
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Army and Marine Corps chiefs: It’s time for women to register for the draft Washington Post - The top officers in the Army and Marine Corps testified on Tuesday that they believe it is time for women to register for future military drafts, following the Pentagon’s recent decision to open all jobs in combat units to female service members. Gen. Mark A. Milley, chief of staff of the Army, and Gen. Robert B. Neller, the Marine Corps commandant, both said they were in favor of the change during an occasionally contentious Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the full integration of women in the military. The generals, both infantry officers, offered their opinions in response to a question from Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who said that she also is in favor of the change.
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Negative Interest Rates Already In Fed’s Official Scenario Zero Hedge - "The severely adverse scenario is characterized by a severe global recession, accompanied by a period of heightened corporate financial stress and negative yields for short-term U.S. Treasury securities.... As a result of the severe decline in real activity and subdued inflation, short-term Treasury rates fall to negative ½ percent by mid-2016 and remain at that level through the end of the scenario."
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S&P Just Downgraded 10 Of The Biggest US Energy Companies
Zero Hedge -
Just 10 days after "Moody's Put Over Half A Trillion Dollars In Energy Debt On Downgrade Review", moments ago S&P decided it wanted to be first out of the gate with a wholesale downgarde of the US energy companies, and announced that it was taking rating actions on 20 investment-grade companies, including 10 downgrades.
The full release is below:
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that it has taken rating actions on 20 investment-grade U.S. oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) companies after completing a review. The review followed the recent revision of our hydrocarbon price assumptions (see "S&P Lowers its Hydrocarbon Price Assumptions On Market Oversupply; Recovery Price Deck Assumptions Also Lowered," published Jan. 12, 2016).
While oil prices deteriorated over the past 15 months, the U.S.-based investment-grade companies we rate had been largely immune to downgrades. However, given the magnitude of the recent reductions in our price deck, most of the investment-grade companies were affected during this review. We expect that many of these companies will continue to lower capital spending and focus on efficiencies and drilling core properties. However, these actions, for the most part, are insufficient to stem the meaningful deterioration expected in
credit measures over the next few years.
A list of rating actions on the affected companies follows.
DOWNGRADES
Chevron Corp. Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To AA-/Stable/A-1+ From AA/Negative/A-1+
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices and refining margins, the company's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'AA' rating over the next two years. We anticipate Chevron will significantly outspend internally generated cash flow to fund major project capital spending and dividends this year and generate little cash available for debt reduction over the following two years. We note that the company has significantly more debt than in the last cyclical downturn while oil and gas production are at similar levels. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that credit measures will improve over the next three
years assuming lower capital spending and higher commodity prices.
EOG Resources Inc.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB+/Stable/A-2 From A-/Stable/A-2
The downgrade reflects increased leverage following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, along with lower capital spending and a slight production decline in 2016. We now expect funds from operations (FFO)/debt to fall and remain below 45% over the next two years, which we view as too low for an 'A-' rating, given the company's strong business risk profile. The stable outlook reflects our estimate that FFO/debt will approach 30% in 2016 and improve thereafter as commodity prices rise under our price deck assumptions. We apply a one-notch uplift to the anchor for comparable rating analysis, given that EOG's leverage is lower than many of its 'BBB' rated peers.
Apache Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB/Stable/A-2 From BBB+/Stable/A-2
The downgrade reflects increased leverage following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, along with lower capital expenditures and a modest year-over-year production decline in 2016. We now expect FFO/debt to fall and remain below 30% over the next two years, levels we view as too low for a 'BBB+' rating, given the company's strong business risk profile. The stable outlook reflects our estimate that FFO/debt will approach 20% in 2016 and improve thereafter as commodity prices rise under our price deck assumptions.
Devon Energy Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB/Stable/A-2 From BBB+/Negative/A-2
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, the company's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'BBB' rating through 2018. Devon outlined steps to reduce debt following acquisitions announced in December 2015, including selling assets. However, we anticipate that the company will outspend internally generated cash flow over the next two years without further limiting capital spending or reducing dividends. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that Devon's credit measures will improve over the next three years under our rising commodity price assumptions.
Hess Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB-/Stable/-- From BBB/Stable/--
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, the company's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'BBB' rating over the next two years. Hess enters 2016 with ample liquidity, including $2.7 billion in cash and has sharply curtailed capital spending. However, we forecast that the company will outspend internally generated cash flow to fund capital spending and dividends through 2018. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that credit measures will improve over the forecast period. We note that proceeds from assets sales, operating cost reductions, or other sources of funding could provide an opportunity to improve the company's balance sheet.
Marathon Oil Corp. Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB-/Stable/A-3 From BBB/Stable/A-2
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, Marathon's credit measures will be consistently below our expectations for the 'BBB' rating. Marathon enters 2016 with ample liquidity, including $1.2 billion in cash and has substantially reduced capital spending and dividends. We estimate that the company will outspend generated cash flow to fund capital spending and dividends this year and that cash flow coverage of debt has declined meaningfully. The stable outlook reflects our projections that credit measures will improve over the next two years. We note that proceeds from assets sales or other external sources of funding could provide an opportunity to improve the company's balance sheet.
Murphy Oil Corp.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BBB-/Stable/-- From BBB/Negative/--
The downgrade reflects our expectation of increased leverage and worsening credit measures following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price deck assumptions. Despite the company's recent reduction in planned capital spending for 2016, we expect debt to EBITDAX to remain above 2x and FFO to debt below 30%, which we view as too high for a 'BBB' rating, given the company's satisfactory business risk profile. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that debt to EBITDAX will remain below 4x under our base case assumptions.
Continental Resources Inc.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BB+/Stable/-- From BBB-/Stable/--; Recovery Rating '3' (high end of the range) assigned.
The downgrade reflects our expectation of increased leverage and worsening credit measures following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price deck assumptions. Despite Continental's reduction in capital spending for 2016, we expect FFO to debt to fall below 20% and debt to EBITDAX to exceed 4x over the next two years. We view these credit measures as too high for a 'BBB-' rating, given what we view the company's business risk profile as satisfactory. We now view Continental Resources' financial profile as aggressive. We also assigned a '3' (high end of the range) recovery rating to the company's senior unsecured notes.
Hunt Oil Co.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BB+/Negative/-- From BBB-/Negative/--
The downgrade reflects our expectation that in the context of lower oil and gas prices, Hunt Oil's credit measures will be below our expectations for the 'BBB-' rating over the next two years. In addition, the company is challenged by continued suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments from Yemen due to ongoing fighting in the country. Hunt has an interest in the Yemen gas liquefaction plant and receives substantial distributions when the project is operating. The negative outlook reflects the likelihood that we will lower the rating if we do not expect LNG shipments from Yemen to resume by end of third quarter of 2016, or other factors occur that result in weaker than currently anticipated credit measures.
Southwestern Energy Co.: Corporate Credit Rating Lowered To BB+/Negative/B From BBB-/Stable/A-3; Recovery Rating '3' (low end of the range) assigned.
The downgrade reflects our expectation of increased leverage and worsening credit measures following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price deck assumptions, and incorporates our assumption of significantly reduced capital spending and a moderate production decline in 2016. We now expect FFO to debt to fall and remain below 20% over the next two years, which we view as too low for a 'BBB-' rating, given that we view the company's business risk profile as satisfactory. We now view Southwestern Energy's financial profile as aggressive. We also assigned a '3' (low end of the range) recovery rating to the company's senior unsecured debt. The negative outlook reflects the potential for a downgrade if we no longer expect FFO/debt to improve to above 20% in 2018.
LONG-TERM CORPORATE CREDIT RATING PLACED ON CREDITWATCH WITH NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS; SHORT-TERM RATING AFFIRMED
Exxon Mobil Corp.: 'AAA' Corporate Credit Rating Placed On CreditWatch With Negative Implications; 'A-1+' Short-Term Rating Affirmed
The CreditWatch placement reflects the expectation that credit measures will be weak for the ratings through 2018 under our price assumptions. We will assess management's financial policies and strategies for mitigating the potential impact of the downturn, as well as review the company's 2015 financial results and the implications for credit quality. We currently expect to resolve our review within 90 days. We currently anticipate that if we lower ratings, we would not lower them by more than one notch.
RATINGS PLACED ON CREDITWATCH WITH NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS
ConocoPhillips: 'A' Long-Term And 'A-1' Short-Term Corporate Credit Ratings Placed On CreditWatch With Negative Implications
The negative CreditWatch placement reflects the potential that we could lower ratings over the next 90 days pending a review of expected 2016-2018 financial results, and ConocoPhillips' ability to fund expected negative free cash flow without materially increasing debt leverage. We currently expect to resolve our review within 90 days. We intend to review the company's ability to achieve expected cost savings and substantial asset sales and its ability to lower capital spending without significantly affecting production levels.
Newfield Exploration Co.: 'BBB-' Corporate Credit Rating Placed On CreditWatch With Negative Implications
The CreditWatch placement reflects our expectation that credit measures will be weak for the current rating over the next one to two years. We will assess management's financial policies and strategies for mitigating the potential impact of lower commodity prices over the next several weeks, as well as review the company's 2015 financial results and the implications for credit quality. We expect to resolve the CreditWatch placement within 90 days. We currently anticipate that if we lower the ratings, we would not lower them by more than one notch.
RATINGS AFFIRMED; OUTLOOK REVISED
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.: 'BBB' Corporate Credit And 'A-2' Short-Term Ratings Affirmed; Outlook Revised To Negative From Stable;
The outlook revision reflects increased leverage following the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, along with lower capital spending and a modest year-over-year production decline in 2016. The negative outlook reflects our estimate that FFO/debt could fall below 20% and debt/EBITDAX could exceed 4x for a sustained period if the company does not complete additional noncore assets sales, as we currently anticipate.
National Fuel Gas Co. (NFG): 'BBB' Corporate Credit Rating And 'A-2' Short-Term Ratings Affirmed; Outlook Revised to Negative From Stable.
The negative outlook reflects our expectation that the company's credit measures will be weak for the ratings over the next two years because of lower oil and gas prices. NFG has curtailed E&P spending, but we expect spending and dividends to exceeds internally generated cash flow over the next two years, in part, due to investment in a pipeline expansion. We forecast that the company's credit measures will return to acceptable levels for the rating in 2018 due to higher expected commodity prices, increased E&P production, and lower capital spending.
Noble Energy Inc.: 'BBB' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Revised To Negative From Stable
We revised our rating outlook to negative from stable, reflecting our expectation that credit measures will remain weak for the ratings over the next one to two years. Although we expect the company to remain cash flow neutral for the year under our revised price assumptions, we expect FFO/debt to remain below 30% in 2016 and 2017, and adjusted debt/EBITDA to rise slightly above 3x in 2017, but we believe both measures will improve in 2018. We could lower the rating if we project that the company will sustain adjusted debt/EBITDA above 3x for a prolonged period.
RATINGS AFFIRMED
Occidental Petroleum Corp.: 'A' Corporate Credit Rating And 'A-1' Short-Term Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
We have affirmed the ratings on Occidental, reflecting our expectation that the company will continue to maintain conservative financial policies such that FFO/debt will average above 60% through 2018, albeit modestly below 60% in 2016. Our expectations include the receipt of about $1 billion from Ecuador in 2016 for the recent settlement awarded by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, which is a key support underlying our expectations. Cash flows are supported by the start of the Al Hosn gas project in the United Arab Emirates and the low decline rate of the company's Permian enhanced oil recovery operations.
EQT Corp.: 'BBB' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
We have affirmed the ratings on EQT, reflecting our expectation that it will continue to maintain conservative financial policies, such that FFO/debt will not fall below 45% for a sustained period. EQT should continue to benefit from its midstream operations that allow it to capture more favorable pricing to help buffer the negative price differentials typical of Marcellus shale producers.
Cimarex Energy Co.: 'BBB-' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
Although credit measures should weaken for Cimarex Energy Co. in 2016 under our revised price assumptions, we expect them to remain adequate for the rating. We project FFO/debt above 40% in 2016 and commit the majority of its capital in the Permian and the Mid-Continent region, albeit at reduced levels in response to the current hydrocarbon prices. The stable outlook reflects our view that the company's leverage will improve in 2017 and liquidity will remain strong.
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.: 'BBB-' Corporate Credit Rating Affirmed; Outlook Stable
The affirmation reflects our view that Pioneer will maintain FFO/debt above 45% over the next two years, as it continues to invest and grow production in the Permian Basin. Our estimates incorporate the reduction in our oil and natural gas price assumptions, a modest year-over-year increase in capital spending, about 10% production growth in 2016, and the company's recent $1.4 billion equity offering./
Retail Collapsing in America As Shoppers Tighten Spending: “Entire Malls Now Completely Abandoned”Michael Snyder - Major retailers in the United States are shutting down hundreds of stores, and shoppers are reporting alarmingly bare shelves in many retail locations that are still open all over the country. It appears that the retail apocalypse that made so many headlines in 2015 has gone to an entirely new level as we enter 2016. As economic activity slows down and Internet retailers capture more of the market, brick and mortar retailers are cutting their losses. This is especially true in areas that are on the lower portion of the income scale. In impoverished urban centers all over the nation, it is not uncommon to find entire malls that have now been completely abandoned. It has been estimated that there is about a billion square feet of retail space sitting empty in this country, and this crisis is only going to get worse as the retail apocalypse accelerates. We always get a wave of store closings after the holiday shopping season, but this year has been particularly active. The following are just a few of the big retailers that have already made major announcements…/
Is It Time To Panic About Deutsche Bank?
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Vancouver Real Estate Goes Full-Retard; Average Home Price Now $1.8 Million
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GERMANY UNVEILS 'CASH CONTROLS' PUSH: BAN TRANSACTIONS OVER €5,000, €500 EURO NOTE
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Activists stage a protest outside the Environmental Protection Agency January 15, 2016, in Washington, DC. Activists urged the EPA to shut down operations of Southern California Gas Company's Aliso Canyon storage facility, which has been leaking huge amount of methane, sickening residents in the neighboring Porter Ranch, California.
California's Massive Methane Leak Highlights National Crisis, Environmentalists Say Smaller leaks across the supply chain said to pose a broad threat Chicago Values: Loyola Warns Students of Pro-Rape “Mens Rights’ Meetup Near Campus
Feb 3rd, 2016 1:08 pm by
Self-styled pickup guru Roosh Valizadeh wants rape legal on private property. Supporters of Roosh Valizadeh are meeting near Loyola University
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I Have Distinctly Separated Those Who Have Given Me Their All
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Update and Four Warning Signs for the Coming Economic Collapse
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Self-styled pickup guru Roosh Valizadeh wants rape legal on private property. Supporters of Roosh Valizadeh are meeting near Loyola University
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I Have Distinctly Separated Those Who Have Given Me Their All
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Update and Four Warning Signs for the Coming Economic Collapse
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Truck Orders Crash, Baltic Dry Index Continues to Slide U.S. January Class 8 truck orders fell 48 percent on the year,...
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The biggest fear is not saying, "I am not going to live in fear!" as they hear warnings of what is coming. NO the biggest fear will be those who did not listen, and then it hits. (((That is when fear will hit when they did nothing, and they will be faced with doing something WITH NOTHING because they said I will not live in fear))) Alot of Americans will face a real fear soon of having nothing!!! --->>>Change is coming<<<---- p="">/
SURGE: Number of Cuban illegals entering USA up sharply...
Catastrophe close for Venezuela...
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Toxic Pool of Bad Loans Threatens World Economy...
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The Truth Behind Federal Land Grabs
SURGE: Number of Cuban illegals entering USA up sharply...
Catastrophe close for Venezuela...
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Toxic Pool of Bad Loans Threatens World Economy...
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The Truth Behind Federal Land Grabs
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Mystery Booms Damage Man's Home In Florida
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