The Market On Tuesday

  Good morning. It is a chilly 25 degrees with some sunshine here in the Upper Hudson Valley. A slight warming trend is expected through the week with temperatures heading near the 40s. After all it is December.

  At 8:50 a.m. ET futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is once again lower. The market is poised to open higher yet once again energy equities will be under pressure.

  One wonders what exactly is going on in the world economy to lower to price of oil so drastically. My personal conspiracy theory surrounds two thoughts - a. it a punitive measure taken to crumple the economy of Russia which ultimately only seems to have the effect of emboldening Putin. b. it is a punitive measure for the USA's growth as an oil supplier via the Bakken reserves. The negative aspects are many. With 2014 shaping up to be the hottest year yet on record, CO2 emissions will once again increase. Cheap plentiful oil means gas guzzling cars and trucks and plenty of mobility to use it all up.

CNN: Stocks: 5 things to know before the open

After a rebound Monday, world oil prices are falling again in early trade. U.S. crude futures are down 1%.