Grant Smith, Bloomberg News

The U.S. overtook Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the world’s biggest producer of oil as extraction of energy from shale rock strengthens the nation’s economy, Bank of America Corp. said.

U.S. production of crude oil, along with liquids separated from natural gas, surpassed all other countries in the first six months, the bank said in a report Friday. The country became the world’s largest natural gas producer in 2010. A Commerce Department decision to allow the overseas shipment of processed light oil called condensate has fanned speculation the nation may ease its four-decade ban on most crude exports.

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By Shonn Campbell of TradingLife:Ownit

The Chinese symbol for Conviction, Faith, Persuasion.

Have you ever had the wind knocked out of you? Its not a pleasant experience if you never have. Any one who has played sports has had this happen. Land on a ball, get hit, land too hard on your back on the ground and all of a sudden despite every effort of your mind and shocked body, you can’t take in a breath. And most of the time, the long slow exhale that is happening comes out as an uncontrollable groan or moan. Needless to say, its uncomfortable.

Well that happened to me the other day. Not physically but mentally. I won’t get into the details but lets just say I was brought face to face with the reality of some things in trading regarding my performance that I have been secretly unhappy with, and I was forced to deal with it. And ever since, my head has been in one of those groaning exhales  trying to suck in the next breath.

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By Shonn Campbell - TradingLife:Ownit

THE QUESTION

Let me start this out by asking a question. This is a question that took me a long time to be able to answer truthfully. This question forced me over time to change the way I viewed what I did on a daily basis as a trader or otherwise. This question forced a change not of my conscious action, but a change of those actions perpetuated by my subconscious.

The Question: Do I really want to master your craft?  And do I really have the confidence to put my full weight and force behind that decision? Or do I want to do what I’ve always done which is set no goals, create no strategy, and think things should be easy and when they aren’t, throw up a bet and a prayer and hope things work out good in the end?

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By Rachel Fox - FoxOnStocks.com

There are so many things I enjoy about this time of year. First, it’s July…my birthday month, plus, we’re coming upon one of the most fun, hot, and patriotic holidays. Fourth Of July festivities have become a staple of tradition in many households across America; the favorite part of many(including me) being watching the fireworks show, of course. Right on the edge of our back deck balcony, there is a perfect view of a golf course, where the club launches a multitude of firework explosions to cover the night. We have one of the top firework display views in the city and it’s beautiful.

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