The Traderszone Network

The long-awaited decline in U.S. oil output has begun, data show, but many investors and analysts are still waiting for prices to stage a sustained recovery. The rapid growth in America’s production over the past several years was a major driver behind the plunge in the benchmark U.S. oil price, which is down 53% from a year ago. “We now know that the U.S. [production] is in decline,” said Eric Nuttall, portfolio manager at Sprott Asset Management, which manages about $5.8 billion.

As cars increasingly resemble digital devices, a group of technology firms that can send wireless software updates to cars are in hot demand by carmakers scrambling to catch up to Tesla Motors in the arena of over-the-air updates, or OTAs. Interest in the technology, through which certain car functions can be upgraded much the same way as an iPhone, comes as Tesla is set to deliver an OTA for hands-free cruise control this month, allowing its electric Model S sedans to drive themselves on freeways.

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SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters) – A Japanese shipper filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday and global trading firm Louis Dreyfus posted lower profits, the latest victims of tumbling energy and raw material prices. The London-listed shares of mining and trading giant Glencore rebounded by around 10 percent, clawing back some ground from a near 30 percent slump on Monday. Glencore has been afflicted by the same issue facing other miners: the prolonged fall in global metals prices caused partly by a slowdown in China, which is the world’s biggest consumer of metals.

For those who wish to understand today’s China, a new documentary called The Iron Ministry is not a bad place to start. Filmed entirely on China’s trains as they cross the countryside, it follows hopeful …

Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles division says 1.8 million of its vehicles are among those affected by the emissions-rigging scandal. Volkswagen AG has admitted using a piece of engine software to cheat …

Oil futures gain on expectations that a slowdown in U.S.

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This one’s offered up courtesy of our loyal reader and guest contributor Lilac while she bravely grapples with year-end accounts and an office move