Excellent article on the Economist about Natural Gas and the profound changes caused by the new technologies to extract gas.
An unconventional glut

Newly economic, widely distributed sources are shifting the balance of power in the world’s gas markets

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said today that China’s use of oil increased by 28 percent in January when compared to January 2009. The IEA said that it expects demand for oil to drop by 0.3 percent in developed nations, but emerging economies would more than make-up that shortfall.

Overall, the IEA predicted that total global demand will increase 1.8 percent this year to 86.6 million barrels a day. The IEA also noted that half of the world demand would come from Asia.

Source: BBC News

Dollar Lower on Mixed Data

The Dollar remained lower against higher yielding currencies today, after mixed economic data published yesterday. Crude Oil prices remained mainly unchanged on concerns of Chinese monetary policy tightening which might dampen the country's demand for commodities.
Economic News
USD – Dollar Down Slightly on Mixed U.S Data

The Dollar weakened slightly against the EUR yesterday after the release of mixed U.S. data and better than expected Chinese data.

The Risk Assets Index is showing a bit too much enthusiasm.  (TraderFeed)

The Russell 2000 has retraced some two-thirds of its bear market move.  (Barron’s)