20110822 1122 Global Market & Commodities Related News.

GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks fall, gold reaches fresh high
SINGAPORE, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Asian stocks fell slightly on Monday, expanding last week's steep losses and gold hit another new high as investors continue to worry about the economic outlook in the United States and  European debt woes.
"The market may rather see 'mild' selling than 'sharp' selling," said Yutaka Miura, a senior technical analyst at Mizuho Securities.

Brent drops below $107 on firm dollar, Libya
SEOUL, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Brent crude oil futures lost more than $1 in early Asian trade on Monday, weighed down by a firmer U.S. dollar, while prices also came under pressure as a six-month conflict in oil-producing Libya appeared to enter the decisive phase.
Rebels in Libya entered the capital Tripoli on Sunday with little sign of resistance from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. Rebels hope to resume oil output to ease fuel shortages and potentially restore some supply to global markets.

Dozens arrested in pipeline protest at White House
WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Authorities arrested dozens of people outside the White House on Sunday in the second straight day of protest against a proposed $7 billion oil pipeline.
U.S. Park Police Sergeant David Schlosser said 45 environmental activists were arrested on Sunday. They were released after paying a fine, he told Reuters.

NYMEX-Natural gas ends up 1 pct as shorts cover on storm
NEW YORK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures ended higher on Friday, as storm concerns in an oversold market prompted shorts to cover ahead of the weekend despite moderating U.S. weather forecasts and comfortable supples.
"Some people think the tropical disturbance in the Atlantic could be on track to hit southern Florida and move into the Gulf of Mexico. I wouldn't want to be short ahead of a possible storm," said Steve Mosley at SMC Advisory Services in Arkansas.

Euro Coal-Prices fall on broad economic fears
LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - European coal prices fell on Friday as economic woes sent European stocks into sharp decline, pulling smaller markets including coal down with them.
"With such a negative market sentiment you won't get prices to rise, even if demand remains relatively strong," one coal trader said.

COMMODITIES-Gold surges to record; dollar's loss is oil's gain
NEW YORK/LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Gold surged to a record on Friday to seal its biggest two-week gain since 2008 while oil and copper also rose as a dip in the U.S. dollar offset another mild bout of investor jitters.
"Investors are really worried. Confidence is at its lowest ebb for some time and the more data disappoints, the more upside lies ahead for gold," analyst Edel Tully at UBS said in a note.