Commodity Online

NEW YORK: Several commodity prices tracked together today. June gold fell $15.00 to $921.50, along with the sell off in soybean and wheat prices. May crude oil closed down $4.04 at $101.58.

Fighting was reported in Baghdad today, but Basra was said to be quieter after Al Sadr agreed to a ceasefire with the Iraqi government yesterday.

U.S. Economy

The Chicago Purchasing Managers' index increased from 44.5 to 48.2 in March, better than expected, but still a sign of contraction. The March eurodollars were up .09 at 97.815, the highest close in a week.

The June U.S. T bonds were up 17/64ths at 118.51/64ths, helped by today's big drop in several commodity prices especially crude oil. The U.S. unemployment report will be released on Friday morning.

Currencies

Statistics Canada said that real GDP was up .6% in January and up 2.2% from a year ago, stronger than expected. The June Canadian dollar fell .91 to 97.09, the lowest close in a week.

Eurostat reported that consumer prices in the Euro area (15) are expected to be up 3.5% in March from a year ago, up from a 3.3% gain in February and the highest rate in over 15 years. The June euro was up .0026 at $1.5729.

Japan's Trade Ministry said that industrial production was down 1.2% in February, but a little better than expected.

The U.K.'s Office for National Statistics said that its index of services was up .6% in January.

Canada Crude oil Gold