MARKETS / FINANCE

China's National Bureau of Statistics on Monday said country's crude steel output was 50.36 million tons in February, 22.5% more than in the same month of last year, but 4.1% less than in the 52.53 million tons produced in January.

Last year was dedicated to gold, and 2010 seems to be the year of base metals. According to analysts, prices for aluminium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc are all set to outsmart gold prices this year as industrial demand for these base metals from emerging economies increases. Chin and India are expected to play as the catalyst for base metals prices as these economies will see a huge increase in industrial growth this year.

Last week saw gold prices sliding continuously for 8 days in Delhi bullion market, a record of sorts during the past 4 years. This has made people think that the gold prices are cooling down. Gold prices internationally are at $1,100/oz - just a shade below the all time high seen in January 2010. As an asset, gold has given strong returns over the past five years - especially as other assets faltered during the recession. However, with the world economy seemingly on the mend, it may be time for ...

Stocks fell slightly on Monday on persistent concerns the Chinese government may tighten credit, which could hinder the global recovery from recession.

U.S. industrial production braked sharply in February, held back by severe winter storms that slammed parts of the country, while manufacturing activity in New York state stalled this month.

Google said on Monday it remained in talks with the Chinese government about censorship of its Chinese-language search portal, despite mounting signs the company could soon shut the site.

The euro zone lost 347,000 jobs in the last quarter of 2009, data showed on Monday, as the 16-country area's economic recovery remained beset by fragility.

Stocks were set to slip at the open on Monday, weighed by persistent concerns over a possible monetary tightening in China that could slow the global recovery from recession.

Intermap Technologies Corp, a Canadian 3D digital mapping technology firm, said U.S. navigation device maker Garmin Ltd signed a three-year agreement for Intermap's NEXTMap technology.

Stock futures point towards a lower opening on Monday as market participants wait Senator Chris Dodd's financial reform bill and digest comments made by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao about the yuan.

Wachovia Bank is in talks with the U.S. Justice Department to settle complaints relating to the alleged failure in bank controls that enabled Mexican exchange houses to launder drug money, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the situation.

Investors are continuing to flock to 'black box' hedge funds and are willing to pay top-end fees in spite of the poor performance from some big-name funds recently, according to the head of investment firm AlphaMetrix.

Euro zone finance ministers on Monday will look at how to give Greece financial aid should it ask for help, but there were signs France and Germany were holding out on making concrete commitments.

Stock index futures fell on Monday on persistent concerns over a possible monetary tightening in China, which could slow the global recovery from recession.

Stock index futures fell on Monday on persistent concerns over a possible monetary tightening in China, which could slow the global recovery from recession.

China Mobile's 3G outlook will take center stage this week as China's three telecoms carriers begin to kick off quarterly results, with market focus on whether the nation's dominant player will turn up the volume in its low-key 3G roll-out.

Popular social-networking site Facebook will open an office in India, joining a long list of international firms that have looked to tap a skilled workforce that provides support services at relatively cheap wages.

Finance ministers from countries using the euro hope to agree on Monday on a way of providing heavily indebted Greece with financial aid, despite French and German doubts that a deal will be reached.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.39 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.38 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.23 at 0900 GMT (4:00 a.m. ET).

Asian stocks fell from near seven-week highs on Monday as a currency spat between China and the United States and worries about sovereign debt combined to keep investors away from riskier assets.

Officials from eight nations including the United States began talks on a transpacific trade deal on Monday in a move Australia said could add momentum to stalled World Trade Organization talks.

American International Group Inc is holding back $21 million from retention bonuses due by Monday to current and former employees of its Financial Products unit, a source familiar with the matter said.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority , considered the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, said the global economy still faces considerable uncertainty, in its first annual review aimed at enhancing transparency.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said there was no reason for Euro zone finance ministers to make any decision on financial aid for debt-ridden Greece when they met on Monday.

Bank of America Corp , the largest U.S. bank, plans to seek approval to expand its operations in China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the situation.

The Australian Dollar opens higher at 0.9180 as the greenback and Yen weakened on Friday night and markets move back into currencies linked to economic growth.

Investors will try to tack another leg on to the year-long U.S. stock rally, looking to this week's economic data and statement from the central bank for evidence the recovery is still on track.

Greece should show it has taken steps to get its public finances in order before external help can be given, European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said in an interview on Austrian television on Sunday.

Private equity firm KKR and U.S. music company Warner Music Group are in talks to launch a break-up bid for Warner's indebted British rival EMI , reported the Sunday Times.