GLOBAL MARKETS-Shares ease on China growth worry, dollar stays firm
TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - Asian shares eased on Thursday on renewed concerns about Chinese growth, but a brighter global economic outlook underpinned the dollar and kept investor risk appetite intact, reducing the appeal of safe-haven government debts.
"The support for the USD responds to perceived positive news from the US, rather than negative news from Europe. This positive twist has extended the rally into equities," Barclays Capital analysts said. "We believe that the drivers behind a higher USD/JPY remain intact," they said.
COMMODITIES-Down broadly on dollar, oil stockpile weighs
NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices closed lower as did most other commodities on Wednesday after the the dollar strengthened, tempering investor appetite for riskier assets.
OIL-Oil falls on U.S. stock build, Iran eyed
NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) - Oil futures dropped on Wednesday after data showed U.S. crude stockpiles rose last week for the fourth time in a row and the dollar strengthened, tempering investor appetite for riskier assets.
"WTI (West Texas Intermediate) futures are increasingly showing the strains of a 10-million-barrel build at Cushing since mid-January," said Jim
Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch & Associates in Galena, Illinois.
NATURAL GAS-Front-month US natgas ends lower, weather weighs
NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) - Front-month U.S. natural gas futures slid slightly on Wednesday but managed to remain above Tuesday's 10-year spot chart low as weaker crude, mild late-winter weather and swelling inventories all pressured prices.
"Though the near-term outlook appears negative for prices, longer-term, low prices in the U.S. should encourage increased industrial demand as industries like those involved in chemical production take advantage of the low price," optionsXpress analysts Mike Zarembski and Rob Kurzatkowski said in a market update.
EURO COAL-ARA prices slide again on oversupply
LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - Oversupply pushed European coal prices down by over $1.00 on Wednesday, with further price falls likely, traders and analysts said.
"That April trade wasn't for U.S. coal which trades at a discount, it was delivery into Rotterdam so totally standard and I can't remember I saw a trade at such a big discount, that is extremely bearish," one trader said.
Iran oil bosses calm over sanctions, trust in Asia
KUWAIT, March 14 (Reuters) - Iranian oil officials show no signs of alarm as oil markets fret about a loss of supply from their country due to international sanctions, saying their Asian customers remain loyal and there is no easy and quick substitute for their crude.
They say the West is unrealistic to hope that Saudi Arabia - the only country in the world that can quickly boost supplies - will help replace the lion's share of Iranian barrels. They also judge that Western politicians, heading for re-election this year, lack the courage to face a further rally in oil prices.
Obama, UK's Cameron discussed tapping oil reserves-sources
WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed the possibility of releasing emergency oil reserves during a meeting on Wednesday, two sources familiar with the talks said, the first sign that Obama is starting to test global support for an effort to knock back near-record fuel prices.
Obama raised the issue during a broad bilateral meeting at the White House, according to a UK official with knowledge of the discussion.
U.S. import prices rise in February on higher oil
WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - U.S. import prices rose in February on sharply higher oil costs, but there were few other signs of imported inflation pressure and food prices posted their largest decline in three years.
Import prices rose 0.4 percent after a downwardly revised flat reading in January, the Labor Department said. Prices in January were previously reported as having risen 0.3 percent.
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