20120816 1106 Global Markets & Commodities Related.

GLOBAL MARKETS-Shares steady as more clues sought over stimulus
TOKYO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Asian shares steadied on Thursday as investors took to the sidelines, waiting for more clues over the timing and extent of any further stimulus to tackle the euro zone's debt crisis and support global growth.
"Although economic data remain mixed, signs of stabilization continue to emerge," Barclays Capital analysts said in a note, adding that recent U.S. data has scaled back expectations for the Federal Reserve to embark on another round of bond buying at its meeting in September.

COMMODITIES-Most markets stronger on positive U.S. data
NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Most commodity markets ended stronger on Wednesday backed by some positive U.S. economic data and as investors hoped that the European Central Bank would provide economic stimulus to debt-burdened Italy and Spain.
"Sentiment is still pretty negative towards the growth outlook and markets now are waiting to see whether we do get some sort of policy response and if so, what form that takes and what the implications could be for metals demand," said Gayle Berry, analyst at Barclays Capital.

OIL-Brent ends above $116 to 3-month high on tight supply
NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Brent crude oil futures closed above $116 a barrel at the highest level in more than three months on Wednesday, as a sharp drawdown in U.S. crude stockpiles and expectations for lower North Sea oil output painted a tighter supply picture on both sides of the Atlantic.
"It's back to the Brent/WTI spread trade, with it stretching back above $22 intraday," said Richard Ilczyszyn, chief market strategist at iiTrader.com in Chicago.

U.S. crude stocks fall sharply, oil products mixed-EIA
NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell more than expected last week despite a modest rise in crude imports, while inventories of refined products were mixed as plant utilization remained high, government data showed on Wednesday.
Domestic stocks of crude, excluding oil held in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, fell 3.7 million barrels to 366.16 million barrels in the week to Aug.

NATURAL GAS-Mild forecasts drive US natgas down 3 pct,support holds
NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures ended lower on Wednesday, with prices pressured by milder U.S. weather forecasts that threaten to slow air conditioning demand and increase weekly inventory builds.
"The cooler weather forecast is playing into it (recent weakness), but I think today was just a little book squaring ahead of the storage report (on Thursday)," a Pennsylvania-based trader said.