Gold Holds Drop Near Two-Week Low as Jobs Data May Fan Rate Bets

Gold held a decline before a U.S. nonfarm payrolls report on Friday that could bolster the case for an interest-rate rise after private jobs data showed an increase in hiring. Bullion for immediate delivery was at $1,115.85 an ounce at 8:45 a.m. in Singapore from $1,115.09 on Wednesday, when prices fell 1.1 percent to the lowest close in two weeks, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. Gold fell for five straight quarters as the...

Oil Sticks Near $45 Amid Mixed Supply Signals From OPEC, U.S.

Oil held in its range near $45 a barrel as signals from OPEC and the U.S. show supply easing while inventories in the world’s biggest consumer increased. Futures gained as much as 0.7 percent New York after falling 0.3 percent Wednesday. U.S. production declined for the seventh time in eight weeks to a 10-month low while stockpiles rose by 3.96 million barrels. The Organization...

Japan Topix Gains After Biggest Quarterly Slump in Five Years

Japanese stocks climbed, after the Topix index posted its steepest quarterly drop in five years, as non-bank lenders and precision instrument makers advanced. The Topix added 0.7 percent to 1,421.52 as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo, gaining for a second day after plunging 4.4 percent on Tuesday. The measure slid 13 percent in the three months through Sept. 30, the biggest decline since the June quarter of 2010. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average...

Asian Stocks Track U.S. Advance as Investors Await China Data

Asian stocks followed U.S. shares higher, after the regional benchmark index posted its worst quarter since 2011, as investors awaited Chinese factory data. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced 0.2 percent to 124.09 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo. The gauge slumped 15 percent in the three months ended September. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.9 percent in New York Wednesday, its best rally in three weeks, paring its quarterly drop...

U.S. Stocks Advance, Shaving Worst Quarterly Rout in Four Years

U.S. stocks rallied in September’s final session, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rising the most in three weeks, bringing traders some comfort as equities trimmed their worst quarterly decline since 2011. The S&P 500 Index climbed 1.9 percent to 1,919.50 at 4 p.m. in New York, the most in three weeks after snapping a five-day losing streak Tuesday. The measure ended September down 2.7 percent. The S&P 500 slumped...