CHINA

Should the spreading economic aftermath of the earthquake in Japan cause us to unravel global supply chains that seem suddenly all too vulnerable to shortages and shutdowns? Adam Smith would say No. The philosophical founding father of globalization would urge us, not to undo our worldwide lines of supply for component parts and raw materials, but to improve them.

The price of Gold reached new record highs vs. the Dollar on Wednesday in London, breaching $1460 per ounce as world stock markets also kept rising together with commodities and higher-yielding currencies.

Oil prices held near a 2-1/2 year peak on Wednesday, supported by unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and dollar weakness ahead of an expected European Central Bank interest rate increase.

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Tuesday as weaker-than-expected ISM Services PMI report and hawkish Fed meeting minutes weighed on the sentiment.

The top after-market NYSE gainers on Tuesday are: CVR Energy, Hudbay Minerals, Endeavour Silver, Exterran Holdings and CryoLife. The top after-market NYSE losers are: China Ming Yang Wind Power, Louisiana-Pacific, Kilroy Realty Corp, PulteGroup and Teradyne.

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Tuesday as weaker-than-expected ISM Services PMI report and hawkish Fed meeting minutes weighed on the sentiment.

American Superconductor Corp, which makes electrical systems for wind farms, said it will post a loss in the fourth quarter, as a slowdown in China's wind power market forced its top customer to refuse shipments.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as a large acquisition helped lift positive sentiment and offset another rate hike in China.

By Rob Cox and Robert Cyran, Reuters Breakingviews

Brent crude jumped to a 2-1/2 year peak above $122 a barrel on Tuesday, gaining for a fourth day as conflict and unrest in Africa and the Middle East more than offset China's latest interest rate hike.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as a large acquisition helped lift positive sentiment and offset another rate hike in China.

Barclays Capital said it has received many questions over the past week around thoughts on the potential timing of Apple Inc.'s iPhone 5. In summary, Reitzes believes it may make sense for Apple to launch this version of the iPhone a little later than usual for five reasons.

Oil prices rose to fresh 2-1/2 year highs on Tuesday, with Brent crude topping $122 a barrel as unrest in oil exporting countries in the Middle East and Africa outweighed China's fourth interest rate hike since October.

China's central bank increased interest rates on Tuesday for the fourth time since October, raising suspicions that data next week may show inflation rose more than expected in March.

U.S. stocks were little changed on Tuesday as an interest rate hike in China and weaker Apple shares were offset by positive sentiment from the latest deal news.

Oil prices held near 2-1/2 year highs on Tuesday, with Brent crude topping $121 a barrel as unrest in oil exporting countries in the Middle East and Africa outweighed China's fourth interest rate hike since October.

U.S. stocks slightly declined in early trade on Tuesday as investors await the release of the minutes of the latest Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.

U.S. stock index futures fell on Tuesday after China, a main source of global growth, raised its interest rates, while Apple shares fell after the stock's weight in a widely followed index was cut.

U.S. blue-chip stocks eked out small gains Monday in the lightest trading volume all year, but other major indexes finished flat as the technology sector sagged.

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Monday as gains from materials and health care sector shares were offset by declines from technology and financials.

Brazilian mining giant Vale named a new chief executive under withering government pressure, a move that may spark fears of state meddling in Brazil's private sector but is not expected to dent investor confidence in the firm.