INFLATION

China is on course for another five years of robust growth, but inflation threatens social stability and must be tamed, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Saturday.

China's Premier Wen Jiabao said on Saturday the nation had to tame inflation that threatened social stability as the government seeks to steer the world's second-biggest economy toward more balanced, greener growth.

The Gold Price eased back for Dollar investors on Friday in London, but recovered one third of yesterday's sharp sell-off – and was heading higher for the fifth weekly gain in a row – as official data said US unemployment retreated to 8.9% last month.

Gold rose toward $1,425 an ounce on Friday as U.S. February payrolls data supported expectations the Federal Reserve will hold off tightening monetary policy and as unrest in North Africa continued.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is right to carry on with its cheap money policy to fight high unemployment, but policymakers must stay on guard for signs of inflation, two top Fed officials said on Thursday. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart, speaking in Tallahassee, Fla., said the Fed should stay vigilant for any rise in inflation

The Chinese yuan rose 0.1 percent against dollar on Friday as markets speculated that Chinese monetary policy would tighten in view of the rising inflation and the prospect of social unrest.

Asian stocks are heading for their biggest weekly gain in three months on bargain-hunting after their recent drop while the euro perked up after the central bank signaled a rate hike as early as next month.

Growth in the service sectors in the United States and Europe hit its highest in five years in February, suggesting economic growth is accelerating though inflationary pressures are building.

The Federal Reserve Bank should continue to flood the economy with cheap money to fight high unemployment, but policymakers must stay on watch for signs of inflation, two top Fed officials said on Thursday.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank should complete its $600 billion bond-buying program, but should only extend it if inflation continues to fall, a top Fed official said on Thursday.

Gold fell nearly 1.5 percent on Thursday, snapping a four-day winning streak as indications the European Central Bank may raise interest rates to battle inflation dented bullion's investment appeal.

The European Central Bank will raise interest rates next month, according to a firm majority of economists polled by Reuters after its president said the bank will exercise strong vigilance over inflation.

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless aid hit the lowest level in more than 2-1/2 years last week and service sector hiring picked up in February, signs the labor market recovery was quickening. Another report on Thursday confirmed business productivity picked up a bit in the fourth quarter

The European Central Bank will exercise strong vigilance over rising inflation, President Jean-Claude Trichet said on Thursday, and may raise interest rates as soon as next month.

A spike in commodity costs is making consumers expect higher prices in the short-run, and Federal Reserve officials must make sure longer-run expectations remain under control, a top central bank official said on Thursday.

When crude prices fall, oil companies tend to pass on the reductions -- albeit grudgingly -- to motorists. In most of Africa, the same cannot be said of interest rates.

Gold and Silver Bullion prices fell sharply London lunchtime on Thursday, bouncing 1.5% and 2.3% below this week's record Dollar highs after European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said a Eurozone rate rise is possible next month.

The European Central Bank held interest rates at a record low of 1.0 percent as expected on Thursday, despite rising inflation fears.

The European Central Bank will step up its anti-inflation rhetoric and may phase out some of its crisis support measures on Thursday as it prepares the ground for an interest rate rise likely later this year.

The European Central Bank will exercise strong vigilance over rising inflation, President Jean-Claude Trichet said on Thursday, deploying a phrase that in the past signaled a rate rise was only a month away.

The European Central Bank (ECB) held the benchmark rate at a record low of 1 percent for the 23rd consecutive month.