UNITED STATES

An indicator of future U.S. economic activity slipped for a second month in March, hinting at slower growth ahead, while separate data showed Mid-Atlantic factory activity edged up in April despite higher costs.

Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged to President George W. Bush on Thursday that China will make more trade concessions and does not seek an excessive trade surplus with the United States.

The headwind of rising U.S. interest rates may be about to ease, but investors are still facing tighter money across the board and some are beginning to sound warning bells about emerging markets as a result.

Brent crude oil jumped to a fresh record high above $74 a barrel on Thursday after a steep drop in U.S. gasoline stocks fueled fears of tight summer supplies at a time of growing anxiety over Iran's exports.

Leading U.S. carrier American Airlines Inc. on Wednesday reported a narrower quarterly loss that handily beat forecasts as rising fuel prices were partially offset by increasing revenue.

A roaring rally in precious metals persisted on Wednesday as a weaker dollar and firmer oil pushed gold and silver to 25- and 23-year highs respectively and lifted platinum to a record peak.

The Nikkei rose 0.68 percent on Wednesday as Canon Inc. (7751.T) and other exporters climbed after U.S. stocks posted their biggest gains in a year on expectations the U.S. interest rate-hike cycle may be near an end.

Soaring energy costs helped push U.S. consumer prices up a steep 0.4 percent last month, while rising apparel prices spurred core inflation more than expected, a government report showed on Wednesday.

A blistering four-year rally in crude oil shows no sign yet of running out of steam and crude could top $80 a barrel this year, boosting fuel costs for consumers and businesses, analysts said on Tuesday.

U.S. stocks climbed on Tuesday as strong corporate earnings and evidence of tame inflation in March countered a rise in the price of oil to a record high.

U.S. automakers and auto parts suppliers face a string of issues created by the changed competitive landscape, Chicago Federal Reserve President Michael Moskow said on Tuesday.

With the next storm season looming, the U.S. energy industry is stretched thin as it struggles to rebuild Gulf of Mexico output from the ravages of hurricanes Katrina and Rita amid surging prices, officials said.

Oil surged to a record high above $72 on Tuesday on concern that Iran's nuclear stand-off with the West could cut oil exports from the world's fourth-largest crude exporter.

HCA Inc., the biggest U.S. hospital company, on Monday said it will report lower-than-expected quarterly results, amid a weak flu season, slowing patient admissions in major markets and more uninsured customers.

China Construction Bank Corp., one of the country's largest state banks, denied a newspaper report on Monday that it is in early talks with Bear Stearns Cos. that could lead to it taking a minority stake in the Wall Street investment bank.

U.S. crude oil prices hit $70 on Monday, the highest level for nearly eight months, as Iran's pursuit of its nuclear programme heightened fears the U.S. might take military action against the oil-producing nation.

Halliburton Co. subsidiary KBR Inc., which generates more than half its revenue from U.S. government Iraq war-related contracts, filed with U.S. regulators on Friday to raise up to $550 million in an initial public offering.

Time Warner Cable is in early discussions to create an auction system for advertising spots on video-on-demand channels, modeled after Google's AdSense system on the Internet, the company's CEO said.

Walt Disney Co.'s ABC television network will offer some of its most popular shows, such as Desperate Housewives and Lost, for free on the Internet in a two-month trial, the company said on Monday.

Byow U.S. unemployment reflects a vigorous economy but does not risk fueling inflation at the moment, U.S. Treasury Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Mark Warshawsky said on Monday.

Federal Reserve governors said on Monday it was still unclear how much further interest rates need to rise to achieve appropriate levels of balance between growth and inflation.