COMMODITIES

U.S. gold futures finished above $880 on Tuesday after climbing to a record high, fueled by surging oil prices, a weakening dollar and tensions between the United States and Iran sparked demand for the precious metal.

Crude Oil rose over $2 on Tuesday as investors predicted that a report from the U.S. government tomorrow report will indicate a fall in oil inventories.

Gold surged to a record high above $876 per ounce on Tuesday as investors poured into the market, confident of further upside in the metal with support from a weaker dollar and firm oil.

Copper fell on Monday as the demand for the red metal was weakened by concerns over the U.S. economic slowdown.

Oil fell more than $2 per barrel on Monday more after a report of the U.S. Labor department raised concerns that the world's top oil consumer may fall into an economic recession.

Wheat futures fell the most in a week on Monday on speculation the U.S. government will predict bigger harvests than in December for some major exporting countries.

Gold futures dropped on Monday, weighed down by a dip in crude oil prices and a strengthening U.S. dampening investors demand for the precious metal.

Gold drifted further away from its recent record highs on weaker oil prices and a rebound in the dollar, but analysts said on Monday that sentiment was positive.

Oil prices at $100 a barrel mean little to Chinese consumers insulated from the global rally by cheap fuel prices, but the latest market peak should sound a warning to Beijing over its disjointed energy policy.

The U.S. economy needs $100 oil like a hole in the head. The spike in oil to a fresh record on Wednesday is not single-handedly going to tip the United States into a recession. But on top of a housing slump and lingering credit crisis, it increases the head winds facing the battered U.S. consumer.

U.S. stocks on Friday declined after the data released showed rising unemployment causing expectations of a recession.

Crude oil futures fell on Friday after government reports showed lower U.S. job growth which may reduce oil demand.

Crude prices at a $100/barrel should boost major international oil companies' profits, but increasing competition from governments and suppliers for a bigger share of the bonanza will cap their gains. Shares in European oil companies opened higher on Thursday after U.S. crude hit a record $100/barrel on Wednesday.

Crude oil futures rose to a new record of $100 a barrel on Thursday after an Energy Department report showed that crude inventories fell by 4 million barrels last week, ahead of the 1.7 million barrel decline analysts had expected.

Gold prices fell on Thursday for the second straight day on a rising dollar, causing investors to lose interest in the precious metal, yet reinforcing confidence in steady U.S. economic growth.

Gold rallied on Tuesday to close about $800 an ounce on speculation that turmoil in credit markets will force the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, further boosting the appeal of the precious metal.

Crude oil fell on Monday as the dollar gained strength and as news arose that OPEC may boost oil output at the cartel’s next meeting in February.

Gold futures fell to a two-week low on Monday after the dollar rose against the Euro causing the precious metal to lose appeal for investors.

Copper fell on Friday amid ongoing concern that the U.S. economy will continue to weaken, reducing demand for the metal.

Oil prices fell on Friday on fears that the rising consumer prices could pose difficulties for the U.S economy, leading to reduced demand.

Gold futures fell for a second day on Friday, as the dollar rose to its highest level in seven weeks against other major currencies, causing investors to lose interest in the precious metal.

U.S. stocks fell on Friday after a government report showed consumer prices rose the most in more than 2 years, raising concerns over inflation.

Crude oil fell nearly $2 on Thursday on concern whether yesterday’s plan by central banks around the world to lend more money to commercial banks would do enough to prevent an economic slowdown.

Gold futures dropped 2 percent on Thursday to trade under $800 an ounce after the dollar gained against most other major currencies, lowering investors’ interest in the precious metal.

Copper fell on Thursday on investor concern that a slowing U.S. economy will mean reduced demand for the metal.

Crude oil futures on Wednesday hit the highest gain in about 11 months pushing oil prices high.

Oil rose more than $3 on Wednesday on speculation that a decision by central banks to provide cash to financial institutions will generate economic growth.

Oil jumped $3 to $93 a barrel on Wednesday as the U.S. Federal Reserve and several other major central banks moved to ease credit tensions and U.S. crude stocks fell to the lowest point since early 2005.

Oil steadied near $90 on Wednesday after Goldman Sachs sharply raised its outlook for crude prices next year, offsetting concerns over a flagging U.S. economy.