INFLATION

Gold was set for its largest one-day rise in a week, aided by a weaker dollar and Chinese inflation data that soothed some concern over the prospect of rapid rate rises in the world's second-largest bullion consumer.

Chinese inflation hit a lower-than-forecast 4.9 percent in January, but price pressures excluding food were their strongest in at least a decade and will force the central bank to keep tightening monetary policy.

Inflation in Britain rose to double the Bank of England's target in January, increasing pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates despite a fragile economic recovery.

Consumer prices in Britain rose in January, mainly led by an increase in value added tax (VAT) and rising crude oil prices.

China’s consumer inflation rose less than expected in January, as food prices continued to rise.

India, struggling to balance between cutting its costly fuel subsidies and curbing inflation, may tweak fuel taxes in the Feb. 28 budget to cushion the blow of rising global crude prices on state-run oil retailers.

India gold traded flat on Tuesday afternoon as support from firm overseas leads was offset by a strong rupee, though buying remained weak as traders awaited an at least a 1 percent fall in prices, dealers said.

Chinese inflation data helped ease investor concerns on Tuesday that the world's No 2 economy will have to tighten monetary policy more aggressively, but other data releases kept markets in a tight range.

By Zhou Xin and Simon RabinovitchChinese inflation was lower than forecast at 4.9 percent in the year to January, but price pressures continued to build and will force the central bank to stick to its course of gradual monetary tightening.

Asian stocks were broadly steady On Tuesday after traders took China's closely-watched inflation data in their stride, while the euro regained some ground after hitting a three-week low the previous day.

Chinese inflation was lower than expected at 4.9 percent in the year to January, but price pressures continued to build and will force the central bank to stick to its course of monetary tightening.

Chinese inflation was lower than expected at 4.9 percent in the year to January, though price pressures continued to build and will force the central bank to stick to its course of monetary tightening.

Asian stocks rose slightly on Tuesday after China's closely-watched inflation data failed to surprise markets, while the euro regained some ground after hitting a three-week low the previous day.

Chinese inflation was lower than expected at 4.9 percent in the year to January, though price pressures continued to build and will force the central bank to stick to its course of monetary tightening.

Gold rose above $1,360 an ounce on Monday on fears that Egypt's unrest could spread across the Arab world, while silver gained 2 percent on strong industrial demand driven by signs of an improving economy.

Gold rose above $1,360 an ounce on Monday as the dollar's retreat from highs versus the euro took some pressure off prices, with a second consecutive weekly price rise underpinning investors' confidence in the metal.

The U.S. economy is heading in the right direction and will pick up steam over the next two years, but high unemployment and low inflation still paint an unsatisfactory picture, New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley said on Monday.

China's trade surplus fell to its lowest in nine months in January after imports surged, supporting the government's case ahead of a G20 meeting that it is doing enough to spur domestic demand without speeding up currency appreciation.

Inflation eased slightly in January but was still higher than expected, reinforcing expectations the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will keep tightening policy because price pressures are still above its comfort zone.

Asian stocks rallied on Monday, snapping five straight sessions of losses, as talk of slower-than-expected Chinese inflation helped drive Shanghai's main share index to its best level in seven weeks.

Inflation is likely to rise further in Mauritius, central bank governor Rundheersing Bheenick said on Saturday, reinforcing speculation that the central bank may raise rates at its March meeting.