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The number of Americans lining up for new jobless benefits dropped to the lowest level in nearly four years last week, according to a government report that showed ongoing healing in the labor market.

Most of the Asian stock markets ended lower Thursday, tracking overnight declines from Wall Street after a disappointing Spanish bond auction.

Gold held near $1,675 an ounce on Tuesday as investors took to the sidelines ahead of the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting, which will be closely watched for clues on the direction of monetary policy.

One of the world's largest exporters of raw materials is working to introduce a steep tax on just such shipments this year, Reuters is reporting, a move that is catching foreign investors and major trading partners by surprise.

Increased profit margins for diesel fuel exported over the past five years have boosted U.S. diesel production and tightened domestic gasoline supplies, contributing to rising gasoline prices in 2012.

Asian shares eased for a second day in a row Thursday, as investors limited their risk exposures on concerns about growth prospects in the world's two largest economies, the United States and China.

Yields on 10-year inflation-linked Treasury bonds fell into negative territory Thursday -- only the second time that has happened -- ona flight to quality in U.S. notes, a belief that inflation will begin rising and the seemingly heady effect of the Federal Reserve's Operation Twist.

Gold fell on Tuesday, hurt by strength in the dollar which profited from the growing view in the market that the U.S. economy is on a firmer footing, ending a three-day rally in the bullion price.

European Central Bank data out Monday showed euro zone countries exporting more goods and services than they imported in January. In a further encouraging sign, a greater number of countries contributed to the increased exports.

Where to watch a live stream online of Federer Vs. Isner and Sharapova Vs. Azarenka in the finals of the Indian Wells 2012 tennis tournament.

The tall American knocked off the top-ranked player.

Where to watch a live stream online of the Indian Wells 2012 men's semi-finals, featuring Federer Vs. Nadal and Djokovic Vs. Isner.

Where to watch a live stream online of the Indian Wells 2012 tennis tournament, plus a tournament update, preview and predictions.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade on Tuesday are: Paychex, WYNN Resorts, Beam Inc, Express Scripts, Sprint Nextel Corp, Carnival Corp, Weyerhaeuser Co, Safe Bulkers, Urban Outfitters and Urban Outfitters.

Asian equities hit a one-week high on Tuesday, holding firm in the wake of recent signs of improvement in the U.S. economy, while the yen rose after the Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady.

The Bank of Japan is expected to refrain from easing monetary policy further on Tuesday, while stressing its readiness to act again in coming months if needed and extending a cheap loan line supporting growth industries.

The top aftermarket NYSE losers Thursday were: Aeropostale, Heckmann, Alon USA Energy, Armour Residential REIT, STMicroelectronics, Active Network, Texas Industries, Polypore International, MEMC Electronic Materials and Kronos Worldwide.

Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the largest U.S. mall owner, said Thursday it is acquiring a 28.7 percent interest in Klepierre, a shopping center operator based in Paris, for about $2 billion.

The result of a planned private sector Greek debt swap remains uncertain, French bank BNP Paribas' Greek debt negotiator told Le Monde newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday.

Former world number ones Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova have a little fun during their exhibition match Monday night.

Greece's major bondholders voiced their support on Monday for a deal that will halve the value of their debt holdings and aims to put the country back on a sustainable debt-repayment footing.

Euro zone shoppers increased spending in January, a surprise after four months of falls but economists said a quarterly reading that smoothes over the data still showed a large decline.

Gold rose 1.5 percent on Thursday, rebounding above $1,700 an ounceas the previous session's 5 percent plunge induced investors to buy at lower prices on hopes the tumble was a healthy correction rather than the start of a bear market.

The economy grew slightly faster than initially thought in the fourth quarter and a gauge of factory activity in the Midwest hit a 10 month-high in February, pointing to underlying strength in the economy.

The number of employed Germans declined slightly in February, but a statistical sleight-of-hand means the unemployment rate held steady at 6.8 percent, the lowest level since Germany became the republic that it is today.

The economy grew a bit faster than initially thought in the fourth quarter on slightly firmer consumer spending, further calming fears of a sharp slowdown in growth in early 2012.

European stock markets gained in early trade Wednesday ahead of second 3-year long-term refinancing operation (LTRO) by the European Central Bank.

Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes neared a two-year high in January, an industry group said on Monday, further evidence the housing market was slowly turning the corner.

Italy's cost of borrowing over six months sank towards 1 percent at an auction on Monday, the lowest in 17 months, as cheap loans from the European Central Bank fuelled banks' interest in lending to euro zone governments over the short-term.