STOCKS: European stock index futures pointed to a higher open while Asian shares fell as a pick-up in Chinese inflation prompted profit-taking, although an improving outlook for global economies curbed losses. U.S. stocks rose and the S&P 500 ended at a fresh five-year high on Thursday. (Reuters)
FOREX: The yen slid to 2 1/2-year lows after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the Bank of Japan should consider maximising employment as a policy goal on top of its current price stability mandate. (Reuters)
FOREX-Euro hits 4-month high versus Swiss franc
LONDON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The euro extended gains to hit to a four-month high against the Swiss franc after the European Central Bank dampened rate cut prospects and Swiss bank Zuercher Kantonal Bank said it may impose charges on savings accounts.
Weaker-than-expected Swiss inflation data on Friday added to Swiss franc selling pressure.
China December inflation accelerates on food prices(Reuters)
China's annual consumer inflation rate accelerated to a seven-month high of 2.5 percent in December on rising food prices, ahead of expectations and narrowing the scope for the central bank to boost the economy by easing monetary policy.
U.S. Fed hawks worry about threat of inflation(Reuters)
Two top Federal Reserve policymakers expressed discomfort on Thursday with the U.S. central bank's easy monetary policy, in comments suggesting Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke may face more dissent this year.
Rain to help raise Mississippi River, ease shipper woes(Reuters)
A storm moving up the Mississippi River valley will help replenish the river, low in parts from drought, and ease concerns that shipping could be halted along a shallow stretch from St. Louis to Cairo, Illinois.
Saudi Arabia cuts oil output as demand eases(Reuters)
Saudi Arabia has cut oil production substantially, moving to fend off a growing overhang in world oil supply and defend prices well above $100 a barrel.
OIL: Brent crude futures fell further below $112 a barrel on concerns that faster-than-expected inflation in China will limit room for further policy easing to boost growth in the world's second-biggest oil consumer. (Reuters)
Australian cyclone cuts fifth of global iron ore trade(Reuters)
A severe tropical cyclone off Australia's northwest coast that has shut ports handling a fifth of the world's globally traded iron ore and cut supplies of natural gas and oil intensified on Friday.
BASE METAS: London copper inched down from a one-week high hit in the previous session after China's export demand improved in December, while a slightly stronger dollar weighed. (Reuters)
PRECIOUS METALS: Gold inched lower but was headed for its biggest weekly rise in more than a month, following a decision by the European Central Bank to keep rates unchanged despite signs of stabilisation in the battered economy(Reuters)r
METALS-London copper inches down, China outlook underpins
MELBOURNE, Jan 11 (Reuters) - London copper inched down from a one-week high hit in the previous session after China's export demand improved in December, while a slightly stronger dollar weighed.
"The market was rethinking whether the temporary resolution of the fiscal cliff was going to help or just kick the can down the road. Having that extra shot (China trade data) in the arm was very helpful," said Barclays commodity analyst Sijin Cheng in Singapore.
PRECIOUS-Gold takes breather; Tokyo gold strikes record high
SINGAPORE, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Gold inched lower but was headed for its biggest weekly rise in more than a month, following a decision by the European Central Bank to keep rates unchanged despite signs of stabilisation in the battered economy.
"The record-high gold prices in yen have triggered some liquidation from Japanese customers, which is putting pressure on the market," said Peter Fung, head of dealing at Wing Fung Precious Metals in Hong Kong.
Baltic index upBaltic index up on higher panamax rates
Jan 10 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry commodities, rose for a sixth straight day on Thursday on higher rates for panamax vessels.
The main index, which gauges the cost of shipping commodities such as iron ore, cement, grain, coal and fertilizer, rose 8 points or over 1 percent to 751 points.
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