INFLATION

Asian shares edged higher on Tuesday, helped by gains in South Korean technology shares, while the New Zealand dollar surged to a 13-month high on signs of a recovery in prices for the country's key dairy exports.

The stars have aligned for gold prices, leaving them just a short hop from record highs, but as bullion bugs celebrate, the rally appears to have flaws.

Asian stocks hit their highest level in 13 months on Thursday and the Australian dollar surged after U.S. economic data raised hopes that the global economic recovery was strengthening.

U.S. industrial production rose for a second straight month in August, reinforcing views the nation's recession had ended, while a spike in gasoline costs pushed consumer prices higher.

Influential hedge fund adviser Medley Global Advisors issued a report on Wednesday saying there is a growing divide among Federal Reserve policy makers on how quickly they should begin raising interest rates, causing U.S. government bonds to briefly sell off.

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U.S. consumer prices rose faster than expected in August from July on a spike in gasoline costs, government data showed on Wednesday, but the underlying trend pointed to muted inflation pressures.

Higher gasoline costs pushed up U.S. consumer prices in August while industrial output increased for a second consecutive month, according to data on Wednesday that reinforced hopes the economy was finally on the mend.

U.S. consumer prices rose in August from July on a spike in gasoline costs, the Labor Department said on Wednesday, but the underlying trend pointed to muted inflation pressures.

U.S. consumer prices rose in August from July on a spike in gasoline costs, the Labor Department said on Wednesday, but the underlying trend pointed to muted inflation pressures.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Wednesday on gains in commodity prices and renewed merger and acquisition activity.

U.S. retail sales rose in August at the fastest pace in 3-1/2 years and a gauge of New York State manufacturing hit a near two-year high, offering hope for a solid recovery from a severe recession.

Comments from two senior Federal Reserve officials on Monday touched on what could become a struggle in the coming months and years over how and when to unwind the bank's dramatically accommodative policy.

Comments from two senior Federal Reserve officials on Monday touched on what could become a struggle in the coming months and years over how and when to unwind the bank's dramatically accommodative policy.

The U.S. economy is starting to climb out of a deep hole but with a tepid recovery likely it will remain vulnerable to shocks, a top Federal Reserve policy-maker said on Monday.

The U.S. economy is tentatively emerging from severe recession and inflation, as well as inflation expectations, are under control, Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans said on Friday.

U.S. consumer sentiment rose in early September to the strongest in three months with growing expectations the economy will improve, a survey showed on Friday.

Chinese industrial output and other economic data surprised on the upside in August, suggesting its recovery is on a solid course but not so strong that Beijing will need to hit the policy brakes anytime soon.

Asian shares rose on Friday, buoyed by strong Chinese economic data which also boosted commodity prices and sent the dollar to its lowest in a year against a basket of currencies.

Asian shares edged up on Friday as strong Chinese economic data supported regional recovery hopes, but Japanese exporters were hurt by a stronger yen as the dollar fell to its lowest in a year against a basket of currencies.

Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said on Thursday the U.S. central bank was developing tools to remove its extremely loose monetary policy, but this exit would not happen at all soon.