It would seem that the normal laws of supply and demand would be the foundation for establishing the current market price for commodities like crude; and to some extent this is the case. However, when speculative interests are taken into account, the picture becomes fuzzy.

U.S. markets calmed Monday on good earnings news but Asian markets remained roiled overnight, down about 2 percent across the region. The Yen rose, reflecting a flight to safety as reports continued to circulate that China was tightening bank credit to pump the economic brakes.

This year has been a very exiting time for traders and investors. We have seen a steady climb in prices with controlled pullbacks in the broad market and gold.

The S&P has rallied nearly 50% from its lows and is up over 10% year to date. For those that sat out the rally afraid to get in, the market is starting to look (at the very least) fairly valued. It’s hard to say where things will go from here. But, a closer look at the leaders of the recent rally sheds some light on some stocks which just might have been over looked.