Gold Decline as Retail Sales Gain Most in 8 Months

Gold futures fell for the second straight day as gains in the U.S. economy boosted speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates soon. Retail sales in November jumped the most in eight months, and the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to a three-week low, government reports showed today. The dollar and the Standard & Poors 500 Index...

Dollar Snaps 3-Day Skid as Retail Sales Top Forecasts; Yen Falls

The dollar snapped a three-day skid after U.S. retail sales climbed the most in eight months, further evidence of a strengthening economy as the Federal Reserve considers its first interest-rate increase since 2006. The greenback gained versus most major peers as the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits dipped to a three-week low before the central bank meets Dec. 16-17....

Asian Stocks Rise as U.S. Data Boost Optimism; Japan Fluctuates

Asian stocks rose after U.S. data on retail sales and unemployment claims boosted optimism in the worlds largest economy. Japanese shares fluctuated ahead of the weekends election.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced 0.1 percent to 136.89 as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo. Energy and materials companies led the regional measure towards a 2.3 percent decline this week through yesterday as oil prices tumbled below $60 a barrel for the first time...

Japan Stocks Gain as Yen Weakens on U.S. Sales, Election Looms

Japanese stocks rose ahead of a weekend election as the yen weakened against the dollar and the U.S. reported the biggest jump in retail sales in eight months. The Topix index advanced 0.1 percent to 1,398.35 as of 9:04 a.m. in Tokyo, paring this weeks loss to 3.3 percent. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.5 percent to 17,344.64. The yen lost 0.3 percent to 119.01 per dollar ...

U.S. Stocks Rebound as Retail Sales Gain Overshadows Oil Slide

U.S. stocks rebounded from the worst day in seven weeks, as better-than-forecast data on retail sales and unemployment boosted confidence in the economy to overshadow a renewed selloff in oil. Benchmark indexes retreated from their highs of the day after U.S. crude dropped below $60 a barrel for the first time since 2009, erasing a rally in energy shares. Urban Outfitters Inc. led a rally among retailers in the Standard & Poors...