Gold prices, headed for their strongest January in three years, rose Tuesday as fears of a Greek sovereign debt default receded, the dollar weakened and crude oil and copper prices increased.
Shares of Apple, the most valuable technology company, set another record Monday as shares closed at $453.01, up $5.73, still another record.
Iran sent conflicting signals in a dispute with the West over its nuclear ambitions Sunday, vowing to stop oil exports soon to some countries but postponing a parliamentary debate on a proposed halt to such sales to the European Union.
South Sudan has totally shut down oil output in a dispute with Sudan over export transit fees and will only restart after the two reach a deal covering border security and the disputed Abyei region, its oil minister said Sunday.
Iran on Sunday declared itself optimistic about the United Nations experts' visit aimed at probing suspected military aspects of its nuclear program, and its lawmakers postponed debate on a proposed halt to oil flows to the European Union watched closely in energy markets.
UN nuclear inspectors arrive in Iran as Tehran prepares to ban oil exports to Europe in retaliation over European Union sanctions.
European companies owed oil by Iran could lose out should Tehran impose a ban on crude exports to the European Union next week, the head of Iran's state oil company said Saturday. Iran's parliament is due to debate a bill Sunday that would cut off oil supplies to the EU in a matter of days.
The Arab League said on Saturday it had suspended its monitoring mission in Syria because of the critical deterioration of the situation as state security forces battled rebels holding three suburbs just outside Damascus.
Fighting sanctions with sanctions in a test of strength with the West over its nuclear ambitions, Iran warned on Friday it may halt oil exports to Europe next week in a move calculated to hurt ailing European economies.
ExxonMobil, the world's largest integrated oil and natural gas company, is expected to report an increase in revenue in its fourth quarter thanks to high oil prices which have helped the company overcome sluggish refining and low natural gas prices in the United States.
U.S. stocks fell on Friday after data showed the U.S. economy grew less than expected in the fourth quarter, while weak earnings from Ford and continued caution over Europe's debt crisis also weighed on the market.
Shares of energy giant Chevron Corp. tumbled Friday after losses from refining operations cut fourth-quarter profit to less than analysts expected.
U.S. stocks were headed for a lower open on Friday after data showed the U.S. economy grew less than expected in the fourth quarter, while weak earnings from Ford and Procter & Gamble and concerns over Europe's debt crisis could also weigh on the market.
Japan and South Korea are Iran's third and fifth biggest oil customers, but the United States, looking for international support for new sanctions pressuring Iran's oil sector, would like that to change.
Gold prices leveled off Friday, consolidating the week's dramatic gains, amid prospects for more increases next week and next month.
World stocks fell from a 5-1/2 month high on Friday as gains spurred by the Federal Reserve's pledge of low interest rates gave way to concerns about Portugal, seen as the next domino in the Eurozone crisis, and uncertainty over Greek debt talks.
U.S. stocks sagged on Thursday as traders cashed in on red-hot bank and technology shares, while the Federal Reserve's commitment to easy money to help the U.S. economy rebound weakened the dollar.
Ahmadinejad is the highest Iranian government official thus far to offer to re-start the talks.
Gold prices jumped Thursday after the Federal Reserve surprised markets by saying ultra-low interest rates will continue through 2014.
China Thursday criticized the European Union for banning oil imports from Iran, Beijing's third biggest crude supplier and a major trading partner.
Chevron, the second largest integrated U.S. oil company, is expected to report stronger fourth-quarter earnings on dramatically higher crude oil prices and production that offset breakeven margins on refining and marketing operations as well as reduced output of products like gasoline.
Brent crude slipped below $110 on Wednesday as recession fears, partly rekindled by stalled Greek debt talks, weighed on the outlook for demand, while threats by Iran to respond to European sanctions by shutting a vital trade route supported prices.
