GOLD

U.S. stocks advanced on restructuring news, strong economic forecast

Gold turned weaker on technical selling on Monday, after the metal initially rose as a lower dollar and lingering worries about an European debt crisis helped recoup some lost ground from a two-month low last week.

Technology and retail stocks continue to drive market

Gold continues to form a long consolidation pattern which has lasted basically for the final quarter of 2010, says Phil Smith in his chart analysis for Reuters' clients. [On] the possible topping [head-and-shoulders] pattern I've been looking at...we have now broken the neckline. Watch for a decisive break below this line. The target for this topping pattern is $1230.

Gold rose on Monday as lower prices after the metal's third consecutive weekly loss attracted some buyers back to the market, but a more optimistic view of global growth still limited fresh investment.

The yellow and white precious metals have pared most of Monday's Asian gains in North American trading but the metals see strong supports at current levels as the sharp correction in recent days have already brought them to technically justified points of entry.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to modestly lower opening on Monday as investors awaited the earnings from major firms including McDonald's and Texas Instruments.

App Store touches 10 billion downloads even as Apple iPhone 5 changes base while iPad 2 mass production is set to start.

Asian stocks rose on mild bargain buying after a sell-off last week, while the euro hovered near a nine-week high before a Fed meeting this week where it is expected to paint a cautious view of the world's biggest economy.

China's Guo Jingjing, the most successful female athlete in Olympic diving, has decided to retire, local media reported on Sunday.

The Toronto Blue Jays have traded three times All-Star outfielder Vernon Wells to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera, the MLB teams said on Friday.

2011 will mark 40 years since the United States' government finally stopped redeeming its dollars for gold. That ended over 250 years of formal gold backing for the West's dominant currencies. It also took the entire world off precious-metal money for the first time in 5,000 years of civilization.

Joe Namath may be the greatest icon in New York Jets history, but since he’s originally from the Pittsburgh area, his family members will be rooting for the Steelers in this Sunday’s AFL Championship games.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed free agent goaltender Evgeni Nabokov to a one year contract.

Michael Phelps will bid to add more gold to his already packed trophy case after being named to the U.S. team for the world swimming championships on Thursday.

By lunchtime in London – and compared with New Year 2011's record highs – the Gold Price in Dollars stood 6% lower, in Euros 7.5% down, and in British Pounds nearly 9% lower.

Gold touched a two-month low in Europe on Friday, pressured by a firmer appetite for assets seen as higher risk on expectations the economic recovery was gaining traction, but a retreat in the dollar prevented a steeper drop.

US stocks advanced in early trade on Friday as upbeat quarterly results from General Electric and Google and strong German IFO business sentiment data boosted investor sentiment.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a higher opening on Friday with futures on the S&P 500 up 0.15 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.11 percent and Nasdaq100 futures up 0.15 percent.

The top after-market NYSE gainers on Thursday are: Warner Music Group, American Reprographics, GMX Resources, Energy Transfer Partners and Aspen Insurance Holdings. The top after-market NYSE losers on Thursday are: International Game Technology, Emulex, Medley Capital, Jones Apparel and Kinross Gold.

Stocks closed modestly lower, but well above intra-day lows, as the tech sector incurred the heaviest losses on fears of Chinese interest rate hikes.