With oil finally trading back above the $50-a-barrel level, it’s time to recognize that crude prices are probably not going to remain low for very long, and may end up fluctuating in the $50-$80 range – regardless of what happens to the prices of other commodities.

Steve McDonald of Investor’s Daily Edge recommends three profit-potential bank stocks that could play out following the downside of government intervention.

Gold did the deed. The precious metal closed over the psychological barrier of US$1,000 last week as the Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd sideswiped the dollar.

Federal officials are discussing the possibility of converting the U.S. government’s preferred shares of Citigroup Inc. (C) to common stock in a move that would boost taxpayers’ stake in the company to 40%, The Wall Street Journal reported.

U.S. stocks tumble, Dow at lowest level in six years… European stock index hits six-year low… Tokyo stock index close lowest for 25 years…

The dollar continues to rally…  Loan ratios figure big now…  Bank nationalization returns to Germany…  Gold pushes the envelope further… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Now, I’m no banking analyst, but that gap on my resumé is starting to look like a very good thing indeed. For who’d want to be stuck with the title “Banking Stock Analyst” now the banks are all broke…? Unless you already wanted to work for government anyway.

Currencies in a tight trading range… Bank of Canada follows the Fed…  Look who’s Talking Gold…  Adding up the spending… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!