COPPER

No matter which direction investors faced Friday, whether it was the recent past or the immediate future, all the signals were positive. Investors responded by boosting prices for stocks, bonds and commodities.

Newmont Mining said it expects a rise in costs for gold and copper in 2012, mainly due to higher labor and power prices and estimated lower production at a mine in Indonesia.

Gold traders in India, the world's biggest buyer of bullion, were reluctant to enter the market on Friday as the prices remained elevated, though off their 10 week highs.

Asian shares crept higher Friday as solid U.S. data improved sentiment, but gains may be limited by concerns that rising oil prices could deal a further blow to the fragile euro zone economy and moves to take profits after recent rallies.

Three economic reports lit a fire Thursday under global markets, sending U.S. stocks and many commodities higher. The S&P 500 stock index briefly topped its April 2011 peak of 1,363.61.

Copper prices are expected to remain high in 2012 as China's economic growth boosts the metal's performance, according to Intierra Resource Intelligence,, a research firm.

As one of the world's top gold producers, Newmont Mining Corp (NYSE:NEM) seems to have a lot of advantages on its side. But uncertainty about peripheral items, including the effect of recent acquisitions and political developments that could hurt its bottom line, are keeping Wall Street analysts skeptical on the company.

Canadian miner Novagold said on Wednesday it has begun the process of trying to sell its 50 percent stake in the Galore Creek copper-gold project in British Columbia so that it can focus fully on its flagship Donlin gold project in Alaska.

Gold prices retreated from an earlier two-week high in Europe on Wednesday as persistent concerns over Europe's finances hurt the euro and weighed on stock markets, while a supply upset in major producer South Africa lifted platinum to a five-month high.

The financial world welcomed Tuesday's approval of Greece's plans for what amounts to an orderly default with gains in global stocks and commodities.

The euro jumped and U.S. Treasuries dipped on Tuesday after eurozone policymakers agreed to a second bailout package for Greece in talks that went deep into the night in Brussels, but concerns that the deal is only a short-term fix kept stocks subdued and Asian stocks unaffected.

Asian markets rose across the board Monday as policy easing by China and expectations that Greece will secure a second bailout buoyed investor appetite for riskier assets, sending U.S. crude up nearly 2 percent and copper nearly 3 percent higher.

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Steven Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Friday that a case challenging a century-old Montana law prohibiting corporate political spending could lead to a new challenge to the court's controversial Citizens United ruling of 2010.

Gold prices held steady on Friday, after optimism that Greece may soon secure an urgently needed bailout helped the metal recover from a one-week low hit in the previous session.

U.S. currency apparently costs more to produce than it is actually worth. Now, President Obama is asking Congress to lower the cost of minting coins.

Joanna Mastroianni took attendees of her Fall 2012 collection runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York for a journey around the world on Wednesday through the eyes, and wardrobe, of Iris Apfel, an influential textile designer and noted fashion maven. View the slideshow to see photos of the Fall 2012 Joanna Mastroianni show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

Barrick Gold Corp., the world's largest gold mining company, reported flat fourth-quarter net profit as higher costs offset increased production and higher selling prices.

Xstrata PLC is looking to sell 20 percent of its proposed A$6 billion (US$6.4 billion) Wandoan Coal Project, to take place west of the Wandoan township in Queensland, Australia.

Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE:ABX), the world's largest gold producer, is expected to report an increase in 2011 earnings on strong gold prices and controlled costs.

U.S. stocks bounced back Monday from Friday's biggest loss of the year as Greece's parliament passed the deeply unpopular austerity bill to secure international rescue funds. The strict financial reform includes a 22 percent cut to minimum wage and 150,000 public-sector job cuts. Rioters protesting the measures set fire to buildings in downtown Athens.

For the Fall 2012 ready-to-wear collection by Custo Barcelona at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, designer Custo Dalmau focused on the fabric story, mixing ordinary fabrics with tech fabric and playing with colors. View the slideshow to see photos of the Custo Barcelona RTW show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.