CRUDE OIL

U.S. stocks plunged on Tuesday, following sell-off in European and Asian stock markets on escalating fears of a nuclear crisis after a radiation leak was detected at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Manufacturing activity in New York State expanded more than expected in March, reaching the highest levels since June 2010.

U.S. stock futures point to a sharply lower opening for Wall Street Tuesday, following slump in European and Asian stock markets amid fears of a nuclear disaster in Japan.

U.S. stocks declined on Monday, as investors were worried about the impact of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan on the global economy.

U.S. stocks declined in early trade on Monday, as investors were worried about the impact of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan on the global economy.

Gold Bullion prices jumped at the start of Asian trade on Monday, gaining 1% against all major currencies as news broke that a third nuclear reactor north-east of Tokyo has gone into meltdown following last week's Japanese tsunami.

The massive earthquake in the Japan and the vulnerability of its nuclear energy sector has raised serious questions about the nation’s preparedness for such a catastrophe and its basic nuclear policy.

The devastating earthquake measuring 8.9 on Richter scale went rampaging through Japan and triggered a massive tsunami with 12-foot waves inundating the northern coastal region.

European shares hit a three-month low in early trade and Asian stocks too dropped on Friday, while U.S. futures headed lower, after a powerful 8.9-magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan's northeastern coast, triggering a tsunami as high as 10 metres.

A net importer of Gold despite now being the world's No.1 mining producer, China saw 200 tonnes of demand during Jan. and Feb. according to an estimate from Swiss bank and bullion market-maker UBS.

U.S. stocks declined in early trade on Thursday after official data showed that applications for jobless benefits in the U.S. rose more than expected last week, after falling to the lowest level since May 2008 in the previous week.

The Bank of England (BoE) on Thursday kept interest rates unchanged at 0.5 percent again, even though inflation remained above the central bank’s target of 2 percent for a fourteen consecutive month in January.

U.S. stocks wavered between small gains and losses on Wednesday as oil prices remained near $105 a barrel amid reports of intensified fighting in Libya.

China should increase its gold reserves appropriately, and must take every chance to buy, especially when Gold Prices fall, said Li Yining, a senior economist at Peking University and an advisor to the national parliament's Political Consultative Committee, quoted today by Beijing's official Xinhua News Agency.

US stocks opened lower in early trade on Wednesday, with S&P 500 Index losing 4.68 points, or 0.35 percent, to trade at 1,317.14 at 09:50 a.m. EST. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 24.71 points, or 0.20 percent, to trade at 12,189.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.61 percent to trade at 2,750.45.

The U.S. Department of Energy forecasts oil prices to average $105 a barrel in 2011, and said there is a 25 percent chance that gasoline prices will exceed $4 a gallon this summer.

Gold Bullion slipped vs. a rebounding Dollar in London on Tuesday, briefly dropping 1.4% from yesterday's new record highs as world stock markets extended their losses.

Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) said it will make an equity investment in San Diego-based algae fuel start-up Sapphire Energy Inc. to identify genes that positively affect growth in algae, which might have applicability in modern agriculture. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

U.S. stocks turned lower on Monday, led by declines from technology and consumer-discretionary companies as oil prices remained near $105-a-barrel amid ongoing political tensions in Libya

The Gold Price rose new all-time highs vs. a falling US Dollar on Monday morning in London, hitting almost $1445 per ounce as European stock markets held flat and major-economy government bonds slipped, nudging interest rates up.

Asian stock markets declined first time in three days on Monday as sentiment was dampened by higher oil prices amid continuing political unrest in the Middle East.