Israel Mint

The 63rd anniversary of the statehood of Israel will be commemorated through three coins that will feature the Dead Sea. The three coins include a proof-like One-New Israeli Shekel silver coin, a Two-NIS Proof Silver coin and a Ten-NIS Proof Gold coin. This latest release follows the tradition of releasing coins for the anniversary of Israeli statehood which started in 1958 when a five-lira silver coin was released in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Israeli statehood.

Each year will have a different theme for the coins although it will be very much related to a section in the culture and life in Israel. The theme for 2011 is the Dead Sea, which is considered as an ancient landmark which is so geographically and geologically distinctive that it is considered as a natural wonder.

The Dead Sea is located in the lowest dry land area in the world which makes it around 420 meters below sea level. This is also a region that is significant to archaeology and biblical history. The Dead Sea is rich in potash and bromine and is the world’s deepest hyper-saline lake.

With its curative and therapeutic properties, the Dead Sea attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Israel Mint indicated that the Dead Sea is currently under threat from human activity and evaporation. It added that the southern area of the lake is already a salt deposit area after it dried up. Current efforts are being made to increase the water level in the Dead Sea using water coming from the Red Sea.

The coin was designed by Meir Eshel. The obverse side of the coin comes from a satellite photo of the region where the Dead Sea is located while the reverse side will feature the denomination of the coins and a bilingual legend of the term ”independence day 2011.”

The Israel Mint indicated that the commemorative coins will be a tribute to both the Dead Sea and the significance of preserving this particular natural wonder of the world. The proof-like, proof silver and proof gold coins will have a maximum mintage of 1,800, 5,000 and 555 respectively.

The coins can be acquired individually or in two sets. The silver coins will comprise one set while the second set will include all three coins. Due to the volatility of the price of precious metals, the price tag for the coins can be obtained by calling the landline number or visiting the website of the Israel Mint. A $25 fee will be added for each order for international shipping insurance and handling. Salt which came from the Dead Sea will be included in the casing of the gold coin as well as the set of three coins.

Silver Eagle

The reverse side on the 2008, 2009 as well as the 2010 American Eagle Silver dollars have a slightly different design compared to other versions of the coin. Apparently the letter ‘U’ on the United States of America legend has a somewhat different shape from other Silver American Eagle coins.

According to the US Mint, the design on the American Eagle Uncirculated silver coins, Proof silver coins and one-ounce bullion silver coins was modified starting 2008. The US Mint also indicated that despite the modification, around 47,000 uncirculated versions of the 2008 Silver American Eagle coins utilized the older font style for its reverse side. This was the same strike used on 2007 versions as well as earlier versions of the coin. Collectors call these strikes as the Reverse of 2007.

The style changes were validated by officials at the US Mint in January 2008, which were focused mainly on the lettering of the coins in order to facilitate metal filling. These were purposely done on both sides of the uncirculated, proof, and bullion 2008 silver American Eagle coins.

The changes were only noticed by collectors after the Reverse of 2007 uncirculated coins were released along with the other coins that had the latest design. Prior to this, only US Mint personnel were conscious of the modifications. These artistic design modifications were made by the US Mint when engraving shifted from manual to digital engraving, according to Michael White of the US Mint. The changes on the reverse side started with the 2008 silver American Eagle coins until the present coins.

Even as the earlier designs were unintentional mistakes by the US Mint, the more recent coins were deemed more of a variety instead of an error. The only Reverse of 2007 designs were found on the 47,000 coins that were released by the US Mint. In order to assess if the coin has a Reverse of 2007 design, collectors can check on the letter ‘U’ on the reverse side which should be bowl-shaped and does not have a downward stroke or outcropping on the  letter’s right side.

Inmet Mining

As the prices of precious metals increased, the first quarter revenue of Inmet Mining has also increased according to a statement by the copper producer from Canada released on Thursday. The increase in the volume of sales also contributed to the increase in revenue for Inmet Mining.

The first quarter saw Inmet Mining bringing in around CAD$59.4 million or around CAD$0.97 per share in earnings from its current operations. In comparison the company earned around CAD$49.4million or around $CAD0.96 per share from Inmet Mining operations last year.

Aside from the increase in its earnings from its ongoing operations, Inmet Mining also indicated that around 18 percent of the stake of the company in Ok Tedi Mining was sold last January. The company, which is based in Toronto, indicated that the sale price for its stake was around $335 million.

All-in-all, the net income of Inmet Mining, which includes the sales of its Ok Tedi Mining stake, is at CAD$2.33 for every share. This is a significant increase from the net income of the company of CAD$1.51 in the same period of last year.

The total revenue of Inmet Mining also increased from the previous figure of CAD$161.2 million to around CAD$254.3 million. This is an increase of around 57 percent.

Inmet Mining also indicated that it was able to produce around 17,700 tons of copper for the first quarter. This is an increase from the 14,500 ton production of Inmet Mining during the same period last year.

Inmet Mining also indicated that delays in processing of high-grade ore in the mine at Cayell in Turley along with the issues at its Las Cruces mine caused its quarterly production to become lower than what the company had expected. However Inmet Mining is expecting to reach increase its copper production to around 94,400 tons as the mine in Las Cruces had a two-fold increase in production.

Microsoft Stocks

Microsoft stocks declined recently due to a decrease in the quarterly sales of the Windows OS. However Microsoft Corp was able to meet the profit projections of Wall Street behind the solid sales of the Xbox gaming console and the MS Office applications. Recent decline in the sales of PCs and the entry of tablet PCs affected Microsoft stocks recently.

After the report on the earnings of the company, Microsoft stocks decreased by 1.2 percent during after-hours trading.

According to Channing Smith of Capital Advisors, Microsoft stocks are now more appealing as value stocks instead of growth stocks. Growth investors will gradually let go of Microsoft stocks. On the other hand value investors will also be drawn into Microsoft stocks in the future.

The decrease in PC sales by around one percent in the initial three months of 2011 has contributed to the decline of the Microsoft stocks. Peter Klein of Microsoft indicated that consumer PC spending is expected to be passed by corporate PC spending in about a year. He added that the increasing popularity of tablet PCs has also caused the decline in the sales of netbooks.

Even as Microsoft has surpassed Wall Street projections recently, the value of Microsoft stocks is still at the 2001 level. The entry of tablets caused investors to be concerned on the possible disappointment of the core buyers of Microsoft.

In the past year, Microsoft stocks have declined by 14 percent despite the increase of 16 percent at the Nasdaq.

An increase of 31 percent in net profit, at $0.61 per share or around $5.2 billion, was achieved by Microsoft for the fiscal third quarter. In comparison to the same period last year, the company had a $0.45 or $4 billion net profit.

Although Microsoft stocks decreased, total unit sales increased by 13 percent at $16.4 billion, which is higher than the $16.2 billion projection by analysts, due to the Xbox and Office sales.

The decrease of four percent in the sales of the Windows OS may have contributed to the decline of price of Microsoft stocks. MS Office sales increased by 21 percent while the gaming console unit increased by 60 percent.

Microsoft stocks are currently being traded at half its ten year average which is lesser than the average of other significant tech firms. Despite a 2.5 percent dividend yield, investors are still wary about the Microsoft stocks and how it will perform in the future.

Blue Chip Stocks

Blue chip stocks have continued to increase as the Federal Reserve announcement on maintaining low interest buoyed the optimism in the market. The Dow Jones increased by 0.6 percent or 72.35 point as it closed at 12,763.31, its highest level in nearly three years as blue chip stocks ended on a high note.

The blue chip stocks were led by Boeing, which increased by 3.2 percent or $2.43 closing at $78.55. Procter & Gamble also ended higher closing at $64.50 or an increase of 0.8 percent or $0.48. The positive growth of blue chip stocks also helped the Nasdaq to close at 2,872.53, increasing by 0.1 percent or 2.65 points. The S&P 500 also ended higher at 1,360.48, an increase of 0.4 percent or 4.82.

Blue chip stocks may have boosted the Russell 2000 as it closed at 861.55, an increase of 0.4 percent or 3.24 points. The increase in pending home sales did not affect the market that much as the GDP considerably slowed down despite the increase of blue chip stocks. The market was generally passive to the release of the economic date during the quantitative easing program of the Federal Reserve as blue chip stocks continued their increase.

Even as blue chip stocks increased, some analysts have indicated that the end of the quantitative easing program will be interesting since the market will remain quiet in the next few months. With the increase in blue chip stocks and earnings being in the limelight these days, Sprint Nextel indicated an increase of 6.7 percent or $0.32 as the company reduced its losses in the first quarter.

Akamai Technologies and Aetna has also increased to 34.94 and 41.45 respectively as blue chip stocks recently continued its climb.

Despite the increase in blue chip stocks, Starbucks shares went down by 0.8 percent or $0.31 as it indicated that increasing commodity expenses will likely affect its balance sheet. Shares of Microsoft Corp decreased by 1.3 percent or $0.33 hitting 25.71, while Constellation Energy increased by 5.7 percent or 1.96 at 36.26 even as blue chip stocks increased.

Exxon Mobil

The increase in the price of crude oil along with an improvement on the refining and chemical business of Exxon Mobil Corp allowed for an increase in quarterly earnings of the company. The quarterly earnings of Exxon Mobil Corp exceeded initial estimates as it posted an increase of around 69 percent. Average prices of crude oil during the first quarter were at $95 a barrel, which is higher by 20 percent compared to last year which helped Exxon Mobil Corp attain an increase in its earnings.

The rising demand for fuel as well as the instability in North Africa and the Middle East caused oil prices to increase to over $100 a barrel, which was advantageous to Exxon Mobil Corp.

According to Phil Weiss of Argus Research the production of Exxon Mobil Corp was higher compared to the initial estimates as the chemical business came out stringer for the company. However since chemical is not the main product of Exxon Mobil Corp , the increase in chemical production may not be reflected on the shares of the company.

Premarket trading have indicated a minor decline in Exxon Mobil Corp shares of stock. Chemical companies have benefitted from the upswing in the world economy and the low prices of natural gas. Refiners have also earned more due to the increase in the demand for fuel. First quarter income of Exxon Mobil Corp increased from last year’s $2.14 for each share or $6.3 billion to $2.14 for each share or at $10.65 billion.

The average income of Exxon Mobil Corp by analysts was at $2.07 for every share. Returns of Exxon Mobil Corp also went up to around $114 billion. A ten percent increase in gas and oil output was observed for Exxon Mobil Corp as it reached around 4.82 million barrels per day.

The profit of Exxon Mobil Corp from its chemical group increased by 21 percent as it reached $1.5 billion while its refinery earnings increased from $37 million last year to around $1.1 billion. Premarket trading at the NYSE also saw Exxon Mobil Corp shares decreasing to around $87.56 and closed at $87.78.

Aetna Inc

Following its revelation of their results for the first quarter, Aetna Inc. has indicated that its whole year projections surpassed the estimates at Wall Street. Shares of Aetna Inc. increased by almost eight percent as the stocks of health insurance firms have reached high levels in recent years.

Aside from Aetna Inc., WellPoint Inc and UnitedHealth Group has also increased their whole year projections during the week. This comes with the implementation of reforms in the healthcare system by the companies including Aetna Inc., which have also begun to give out dividends or increase their payouts.

The current results for companies such as Aetna Inc. give an indication of the cautiousness of Americans in going to the doctor since companies such as Aetna Inc. have lesser medical claims payments. The current modifications in healthcare plans have transferred much of the cost for health-care to the consumers said Tim Nelson of Nuveen Asset Management.

With the improvement of the US economy, more people may utilize medical services although it was not yet evident. According to the chief financial officer of Aetna Inc., Joseph Zubretsky, the current trend started in 2010 and any change may be noticeable toward the later part of the year.

Families USA deputy executive director, Kathleen Stoll, indicated that the low usage of medical insurance may be seen positively if it was due to lesser unessential expenses by healthcare companies such as Aetna Inc., however it will be on the negative side if this was due to cash-saving measures by consumers.

One significant modification in the new law required companies such as Aetna Inc. to reach specific medical care expense thresholds instead of profits and expenses. Even with this requirement Aetna Inc. and other companies still came out stringer.

Despite the increase in shares, investors still indicated that it is still inexpensive as indicated in the $49.10 share price of UnitedHealth which is lower than the target price of the company. The upcoming elections may also affect the stocks of Aetna Inc. and other similar companies since they may be the target during the campaigns in 2012.

The income of Aetna Inc. for the first quarter increased from last year’s $562 million or around $1.28 for every share to around $586 million or around $1.50 for every share this year. A decline in the revenue of Aetna Inc. was observed as the company spent around 79 percent of its premium revenue in medical expenses.

Aetna Inc. has projected earnings for 2011 to reach $4.30 for every share as compared to the February projection of only $3.80 and the analysts’ estimate of $3.75. Aetna Inc. has also indicated that it will acquire the Prodigy Health group for around $600 million.

Collector Coins

The continued increase in the prices of precious metals may compel the US Mint to increase the prices for the recently-released collector coins including the First Spouse Coins, America Gold Buffalo, and Gold Eagle Proof Coins.

The policy of the US Mint for the price of its numismatic gold coins, including its collector coins, is to use the average of the gold fix in London from the previous Thursday morning and the next Wednesday morning. The Wednesday afternoon fix price may also be utilized if it is needed which will influence the prices of its collector coins.

Due to this policy the price of the collector coins may be modified each week each time gold prices move by around $50.

The present pricing for the numismatic gold coins, including the collector coins, of the US Mint uses a price range from $1,450 up to $1,499.99 per ounce. The average price of gold has gone up to $1,503.48 with the recent increase in gold prices, which may affect the pricing for its collector coins. This was based on the previous morning and afternoon fix of Thursday as well as the morning and afternoon fix of Tuesday. This will likely influence the pricing for the collector coins of the Mint.

If the morning fix on Wednesday come out higher than $1,486.49 per ounce, the US Mint will raise the prices of its products including its collector coins. The directional Wednesday afternoon fix will also contribute to the increase in the prices of the products including its collector coins if it will go over the $1,500 mark.

Wednesday trading saw gold spot prices going over $1,509 per ounce which also influenced London fixings.

Each time price increases are required for the products of the Mint, including the collector coins, the products are usually suspended which prices are being adjusted. The increase in the pricing of the products of the Mint, including the collector coins, may range from as low as $5 to as high as 92.50.

The last time the Mint increased its prices for its products including some collector coins was on April 13.

Gold One International

Gold One International, which aims to increase its production, has come to an agreement with Harmony Gold Mining and a number of other investors to acquire Rand Uranium Ltd. Gold One International, a South African gold producer, has agreed to acquire the company at a price tag of around $250 million.

According to Rand Uranium, Harmony owns forty percent of Rand Uranium while the rest of the shares are owned by a private equity group led by First Reserve Corp, AMCI Capital and Pamodzi Resources Fund. Gold One International also indicated that

Its acquisition of Rand Uranium from Harmony and the private equity group will push through.

With the acquisition, Gold One International will increase its total gold output to around 300,000 ounces each year. Aside from increasing the gold production of Gold One International, the deal will also provide Gold One International around 90 million pounds in South African uranium resources.

The deal with Gold One International will also give harmony additional fund which it may utilize in building a mine in Papua New Guinea together with Newcrest Mining. The constriction of the mine will cost the company around $3 billion.

Share prices of Gold One International recently closed lower by around 0 six percent during trading in Sydney. This decline in the share prices of Gold One International followed a rally during the previous trading session where share prices of Gold One International increased by 15 percent. Share prices of Harmony also declined by around 2.3 percent during trading in Johannesburg from97.59 rand down to 97.53 rand.

Rand Uranium was established after the uranium assets of Harmony were purchased by Pamodzi in 2007. Discussions are currently being held by Gold One International for the upcoming change of ownership. A week ago, Gold One International sold 17.7 percent shares to Baiyin Non-Ferrous Metal Group of China for around $81.5 million or A$75.8 million.

Gold Per Ounce

Majority of analysts, traders and investors who were surveyed by Bloomberg have indicated that gold prices will likely go up by next week with the increasing anxieties over European debt as well as inflation. This projected increase in gold prices was due to the increasing need for a safe-haven for their investments.

Among the 18 analysts, traders and investors who joined the survey only three did not believe in an increase in gold prices by next week. Two of the survey respondents indicated a decrease in gold prices while the third remained neutral. Gold prices for June deliveries have increased by two percent recently as it hit $1,457.40. This follows an earlier record high of gold prices at $1,466.50.

An analyst from Standard Bank Plc said investors a safe-haven opportunity remained appealing to investors as the risk of the spread of sovereign debt continued to increase, which has continued to push gold prices higher.

Interest rates were raised by the European Central Bank to control inflation. This was the first increase in around three years as a third European country, Portugal, asked for a bailout. China also raised their interest rates to control the cost of consumer goods. Additional factors which may have caused the increase in gold prices include the ongoing conflict in Libya as well as the after effects of the catastrophe in Japan.

A VTB Capital analyst indicated that concerns about inflation have overshadowed discussions connected to gold prices. The weekly survey conducted by Bloomberg started around seven years ago and its projections on gold prices were around 57 percent accurate.