IBT Staff Reporter

Campbell Soup Co posted higher sales in its key U.S. soup market, helped by increased promotional spending.

U.S. crude oil fell back below $70 a barrel on Monday, giving up an earlier gain on persistent worries that Europe's debt crisis would slow the global economic recovery.

U.S. crude rose above $70 a barrel on Monday, recouping some of last week's losses, but analysts said sentiment remained fragile and prices could again be hit by macroeconomic pessimism.

World stocks recovered some composure on Monday with emerging markets leading the way after a late Friday rally in banking shares on Wall Street ended what was otherwise a dismal week for equities investors.

China struck a conciliatory note at the opening of talks with the United States on Monday by vowing to spur domestic demand and keeping a guarded opening to exchange rate reform, which the Obama administration says is needed to rebalance the global economy.

Oil snapped three straight sessions of declines and rose more than 1 percent toward $71 a barrel on Monday, but analysts said sentiment remains fragile and prices could again be hit by macroeconomic pessimism.

The euro struggled to hold on to gains on Monday as investors sold into its latest bounce, while Asian stocks recouped ground from last week's eight-month lows on fears the euro zone debt crisis will hit world economic growth.

World oil prices advanced above $70 a barrel in Asian trade Monday but remained highly volatile, analysts said. Light sweet crude for July delivery was seen trading at $70.35 a barrel at 11.00 a.m Singapore time while Brent crude eased to $71.21 a barrel at the same time in London.

The IMF said Sunday it expects to record a profit of $ 5.1 billion from the sale of gold in the financial year ended April 30, 2010. In a statement, the International Monetary Fund, which sold gold to member countries including India last year, said gold sales is a part of the multilateral lending agency's new income model, mainly aimed at increasing its resources to lend to low-income countries.

Gold prices moved up in Asian trade Monday as investors remained confident on yellow metals status as a safe haven asset in troubles. Gold for immediate delivery was seen trading at $ 1184.51 an ounce at 11.30 a.m Singapore time while gold futures for June delivery was at $US1185.10 an ounce at the same time. Analysts said, Long-term investors maintained their affinity for the precious metal despite the recent rise in volatility in other markets, including stocks.

The euro struggled to hold on to gains on Monday as investors sold into its latest bounce, while Asia stocks fell to hover just above eight-month lows hit on Friday on fears the euro-area debt crisis will hit world growth.

China will stick to gradual reform of its yuan currency, President Hu Jintao told the United States at the start of high-level talks on Monday in which North Korea emerged as a point of potential contention.

China urged the United States to lift restrictions on exports to China as early as possible, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said ahead of talks between the two countries in Beijing.

Global miner Rio Tinto described Australia as its top sovereign risk on Monday and said it was reviewing all investments there as its raised pressure on Canberra to overhaul its planned new mining tax.

HSBC has no plans to change its management structure, the investment bank's Chief Executive Michael Geoghegan told CNBC television on Monday.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Monday the United States and China need to work together to reduce trade barriers and develop a more balanced global economy.

Australian mothers-to-be may be facing too much pressure on becoming yummy mummy or rather looking good whilst pregnant, researchers say.

Researchers discovered that eating more fruits and vegetables could be a way to a perfect tan rather than baking in the sun.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL lobby group has accused a ''natural'' skincare company of misleading consumers about the use of nanoparticles in its products.

OPEC member Venezuela will increase oil production gradually in 2010, then even more next year, President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday.

In response to a report that nearly half a million Australians are in urgent need of dental care, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally is being urged to lobby the federal government for a national dental health service.

The Australian Dollar did not revisit the sub 0.8100 territory on Friday's trade as it did the previous day

South Australia (SA) has had the highest rate of donors per million of population in the country for the past six years, almost double the national rate.

North Korea's crumbling economy is feeling the effects of sanctions for nuclear and ballistic missile activities, with foreign trade falling 10 percent in 2009 from the previous year, South Korea said on Monday.

The Aussie opens at 0.8310 on Monday. Unsubstantiated rumours of Reserve Bank intervention and technical support just above US80-cents halted the recent dramatic slide in the currency on Friday.

Shares of Sprint Nextel could rise to about $6 a share, helped by the introduction of a mobile phone that works on the carrier's new high-speed network, according to business weekly Barron's.

Dubai plans to set up a program to address weaknesses in its financial system while the United Arab Emirates will open a debt management office to coordinate on issuance for state-linked companies, an official said on Sunday.

British Airways cabin crew were bound for a five-day strike this week after the airline and union leaders failed to resume talks on Sunday, blaming each other for the communication breakdown.

British Airways cabin crew will call off a five-day strike due to start on Monday if their travel perks are reinstated, Unite union co-leader Tony Woodley said on Sunday.