GOLD

Reflecting a growing national trend in the U.S., Hispanics have become the largest minority in the state of New Jersey, supplanting blacks, according to Census Bureau data.

Dow and S&P 500 are down slightly today, as investors struggled to interperet the January jobs report from the U.S. Dept. of Labor

South Africa's rand weakened to a near six-month low against the dollar on Friday, falling through key support and dragging local bonds down with it before recouping some losses as demand for longer dated paper picked up.

The price of gold is at a critical juncture. What happens in the next couple of weeks can determine whether the metal's spectacular rally will continue or fade.

For Esther Moloto, the 32-year-old owner of a little house on top of the world's biggest platinum reserves, the sound of progress is falling plaster.

Newmont Mining Corp (NEM.N) has agreed to buy Fronteer Gold Inc (FRG.TO) for C$2.3 billion ($2.3 billion), extending its presence in the western United States as bullion prices hover near record highs.

U.S. stocks wavered in early trade on Friday after a government report showed that U.S. added fewer jobs than forecast for January, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined to its lowest level since April 2009

Dollar Gold and Silver Prices were little changed in London trade on Friday, unmoved by unexpectedly weak US jobs data near two- and 3-week highs respectively.

U.S. stocks, after selling-off in the early session, bounced back to finish moderately higher on some positive economic news, despite continued political unrest in Egypt.

Gold rose over 1 percent in choppy trade on Thursday, with a sudden jump by over $20 per ounce within minutes as large buy orders were apparently triggered in the future markets. This comes unexpected to precious metals experts, as the gold price was supposed to be kept low by the usual large Wall Street players during todays speech by Bernanke, and was set to rally on Friday, when unexpectedly bad labor market numbers will come in and drive gold prices higher.

Retail clothing stores such as Ann Taylor are leading the way so far on strong retail report by the Institute for Supply Management

U.S. stocks declined in early trade on Thursday as political crisis in Egypt overshadowed better-than-expected economic reports on weekly jobless claims, non-farm productivity and monthly factory orders.

U.S. stocks fell modestly in early trade on Thursday despite better-than-expected weekly jobless claims data as mixed earnings and political crisis in Egypt weighed on the sentiment.

Spot gold was bid at $1,328.05 an ounce at 1300 GMT, against $1,336.00 late in New York on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures for April delivery fell $3.90 to $1,328.20. Concerns over the fallout from unrest in Egypt, where six people were killed after supporters of president Hosni Mubarak opened fire on protestors overnight, have underpinned prices, but have not sparked fresh investment, analysts said.

National Stock Exchange, Inc. (NSX) said that assets in U.S. listed Exchange-Traded Funds and Exchange-Traded Notes touched a new record of about $1.02 trillion at the end of January 2011.

Luxury brand Armand de Brignac, produced by champagne house Champagne Cattier, has unveiled the largest bottle of luxury Champagne in existence called the Midas.

Former Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe ended months of rampant speculation and announced his return to the pool Wednesday, with an eye on making the Australian team to swim at next year's London Olympics.

Gold prices eased a touch in Europe on Wednesday after well received U.S. economic data and a spate of upbeat corporate earnings deflected interest away from bullion on to higher-risk, higher-yielding assets.

The companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trade on Wednesday are: Electronic Arts, Anadarko Petroleum, Freeport-McMoRan, CME Group, Broadcom, Whirlpool, Boston Scientific and Netflix.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a mixed opening on Wednesday, after Dow and S&P finished at two year highs in the previous session.

China is estimated to become the world’s largest luxury goods market over the next decade, boosted by rising incomes and a transition from saving to spending culture, said a report on Wednesday.