COMMODITIES

Copper rose on Monday after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Chile, the owner of the largest producer of copper in the world.

Platinum soared to a record high of $1,800 an ounce for the first time Monday as investors bet that a power shortage in top producing South Africa will tighten global supply for the precious metal. Gold traded 4 percent it record from last week.

Natural gas posted gains on Monday after the prices of alternative forms of energy increased.

U.S. Corn and Soybeans futures increased following an increase in demand for the grain in overseas nations, driven by the declining shipping costs.

U.S. Crude Oil Gains on Houston Channel Trouble Oil rose on Monday after weather conditions closed the Houston Ship Channel and fears of a U.S. recession continued.

Gold futures dived sharply on Friday, losing the most in two weeks, as the dollar rebounded against the euro and traders moved in to cash in on their gains. Silver fell from the highest it's been since 28 years.

Record gold prices have scared buyers in many parts of the world and left them to watch helplessly the blistering rally that shows no signs of abating.

Copper gained on Thursday as markets recovered and winter storms in China disturbed production.

Natural gas futures fell on Thursday amid concerns that demand will decline as the U.S. economy slows.

Cocoa posted the highest gain in more than five years on Thursday amid dry weather in the commodity's biggest producer and a rise in the U.K pound against the dollar.

Crude oil fell on Thursday as traders worried that an economic slowdown could weaken oil and gasoline demand in the U.S.

The dollar fell against the yen on Thursday after government reports showed softness in employment and personal spending ahead of a jobs report tomorrow.

Gold futures surged to its new record price on Thursday after earlier rallies on news of an interest rate cut, led by global supply and demand concerns.

Gold moved higher on Thursday after the Federal Reserve slashed interest rates, but weaker oil prices limited gains and prevented the metal from breaking recent record highs.

Natural gas futures increased on Wednesday amid speculations that an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve might boost the U.S. economy and reduce energy demand.

Gold futures rose in after market trading on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve slashed its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 3 percent which boosted the precious metal's appeal as a safe haven for investment.

Copper rose on Tuesday as stock markets recovered and worries about the health of the U.S. economy decreased as the Federal Reserve met to decide on interest rates.

Uranium declined on Tuesday following an increase in production from Australia and Kazakhstan, two of the world's largest producers.

Gold futures ended lower Tuesday, after surging to a record in earlier trading session, as traders predict the Federal Reserve will cut borrowing costs by half a percentage point on Wednesday and mining resumes in South Africa following power cuts.

Wheat fell following Argentina's statement on Tuesday that dropped its export ban for the grain.

Crude oil rose on Tuesday amid speculation the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting will result in a reduction of interest rates to fuel economic growth.

Gold futures hit a new record of $929.80 an ounce on Monday as the dollar fell against the euro among expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut while platinum rallied to a record high of $1,733 an ounce on South African supply concerns.

Crude oil prices declined today on falling stock markets in Europe and Asia, and a report about new home sales in the U.S.

Gold and platinum prices surged to new records on Friday on deteriorating electricity shortages in South Africa, a top producer of the precious metals, increased the supply demand.

Crude oil climbed on Friday as U.S. officials moved quickly to advance an economic stimulus package, diminishing fears of an economic recession in the U.S.

U.S. Copper futures rose on Thursday along with other metals, oil and equity markets, on the 0.75 percent cut in interest rates this week

U.S. gold futures spiked over $900 an ounce in New York on Thursday after the dollar dropped against the euro and boosted trader's appetite for the precious metal, also causing platinum futures to hit a new record.

Crude gained near $1 on Thursday after a rally in European, Asian and U.S. stock markets.

Miner BHP Billiton has reported record levels of half year production, with output for oil, natural gas, iron ore, alumina and copper all reaching new highs.