Global Warming To Bury US In Snow; Trump Rally Sends Annual Auto Sales Into Record Book -- January 5, 2017

DAPL weather: -15 degrees in Minot, ND, this a.m. Had it not been for global warming, it would have been -17 degrees.

Huge winter storm Helena to dump snow across the US: of course, this was predicted back in 1994 by the warmists, that this would happen. "Snow days" across the nation.

Setting records: it's official. At 53.1 inches (so far, and there are still six more months in this year's snow season) that is the most snowfall ever accumulated to date. The 1993 - 1994 snowfall season, July 1, through January 2, held the record at 49.3 inches.

Another record in Bismarck was set Monday, with 21 inches of snow depth — the deepest the city has ever had during the month of January. It’s tied for the third deepest of all time, with 21 inches in 2010. March 1975 takes second with 27 inches of snow and February 1979 is at the top with 28 inches.

New tag at the bottom of the blog: "Flooding_2017."

Jobs:

• first-time claims fall sharply: 28,000 to seasonally adjusted 235,000; lowest level since mid-November; second lowest since late 1973; economists expected 260,000 initial claims -- another huge miss; four-week rolling average fell by 5,750 to 256,750
• another poor payroll add: private payrolls climbed by 153,000 (see magic numbers); forecast was 175,000; the November number was revised to a 215,000 gain; manufacturers reduced headcounts by 16,000; service providers increased by 169,000

Auto sales: Trump's December auto sales rally propels annual sales into record books. "Robust demand for trucks and year-end incentives help auto makers post solid December sales." -- WSJ.

Re-posting: from Rigzone -- the biggest oil and/or gas industry surprise of 2016.

Politicized: it looks like Trump was right or certainly worthy of discussion -- the US intelligence agencies have been politicized -- discussion on CNBC this a.m. IRS, DOJ, CIA (Benghazi) all under discussion. Former Senator Mitchell (Maine) blames the internet; says it's human nature for everyone (including spy agencies) to be politicized -- "don't just blame the politicians and bureaucrats."

Israel. One-quarter of US Senators break with Obama on vote against Israel in the UN. Ten US Senators sign letter of displeasure over UN censure of Israel. One-quarter. All ten. Including the senior senator from New York state. I'm shocked. Shocked.

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Not too many days ago I suggested the sectors that would do well in the market under Trump. Today, in The Wall Street Journal: defense firms cash in amid soaring demand for munitions.

Kuwait starts to feel the pinch: increasing open opposition to austerity, WSJ.

Mexico: looting over anger at 20% increase in price of gasoline. 

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Back to the Bakken

Active rigs:

	1/5/2017	01/05/2016	01/05/2015	01/05/2014	01/05/2013
Active Rigs	40	58	170	184	179

RBN Energy: why did the normal butane market go on a holiday bender?

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The Market

Apple's App Store sets record: $240 million in sales on New Year's Day, its biggest sales day ever. Apple's $3 billion in App Store purchases in December also broke a holiday-season record. 

Barnes & Noble: cuts forecast amid holiday sales decline. Cites lower traffic, reduced art-supplies sales, and lack of a blockbuster album. Another Geico Rock nominee for the 2017 award? This is what the CEO of Barnes and Noble said (I guess this is why he gets paid the big bucks):

“There will be less retail stores 20 years from now,” he added. “The question is which ones will survive and what will be the attributes that make customers come.”

Craftsman: wow. Sears sells its Craftsman brand -- that was #1 reason I shopped Sears years ago. $900 million for Craftsman. Will also close 150 stores. 

WTI on opening: up about 0.7%. $53.71. 

Opening: Dow 30 down a bit, down about 20 points. NASDAQ up. Crawler says oil, gold "up." Energy on the "upside." Macy's, Kohl's dragging the market down.