Oil Extends Slump Before OPEC as Japan Stocks Drop With Dollar

Crude oil dropped a third day, extending losses from a four-year low amid concern OPEC members may fail to agree on output cuts when they meet in Austria this week. Japanese stocks retreated as Asian currencies, including the yen, strengthened against the dollar. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 0.3 percent to $73.87 a barrel by 9:28 a.m. in Tokyo, after sinking 2.2 percent...

Gold Futures Climb as U.S. Dollar Falls From Five-Year High

Gold futures gained for the second time in three sessions as the dollar fell from a five-year high, boosting demand for the metal as an alternative investment. The dollar lost as much as 0.2 against a basket of 10 currencies after touching the highest since March 2009. Bullion slid earlier after a government report showed the U.S. economy expanded more than expected, damping demand for the metal as a store of value. Gold has fallen...

Asian Stocks Rise for Fourth Day as Materials Shares Lead Gains

Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index heading for a fourth day of gains, as materials and health-care shares advanced, countering a decline in Japans Topix index amid a stronger yen. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.1 percent to 140.90 as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo after rising 1.1 percent the past three trading days. Japans Topix slid 0.3 percent as the yen gained 0.1 percent to 117.81 per dollar after advancing 0.3 percent...

Japan’s Topix Index Retreats From 6-Year High as Yen Strengthens

Japanese stocks fell, with the Topix index retreating from a six-year high, as the yen maintained gains against the dollar. Paper manufacturers led declines and drug companies rose. The Topix lost 0.2 percent to 1,406.23 as of 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo, with eight stocks falling for every six that rose, after closing yesterday the highest level since June 2008. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average slipped 0.3 percent to 17,360.21 today. The yen traded...

S&P 500 Little Changed Near Record on GDP, Consumer Confidence

The Standard & Poors 500 Index was little changed after closing yesterday at a record, as data showing the economy expanded more than previously forecast in the third quarter was offset by a drop in consumer confidence.The S&P 500 slipped 0.1 percent to 2,067.48 at 4 p.m. in New York, following three days of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 6.13 points, or less...