And just weeks ago, manufacturing was one of the few bright spots!
It's interesting also to note that while construction spending climbed, sales have been weak in the housing market. Home mortgage defaults climbed 66% year over year.
I am a student of economics, financial analyst, and futures trader, specializing in agricultural commodities, and especially grains, but I also trade gold and other metals, soft commodities, treasuries, and stock index futures.
I began trading spot Forex currency crosses in May 2003, and in August 2006, I met a futures trader who has been making a living in futures for more than 20 years, and he became my futures mentor. I've never looked back, and I am now head trader for Global Capital Reserves, my own firm.
I also have both Bachelors and Master of Science degrees in business.
I really enjoy trading futures, and hope to share my successes, a few failures, and methodologies.