Dollar Above Three-Week Low as Fischer Supports December Liftoff

The dollar held above a three-week low against major peers after Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer became the latest policy maker to back the case for a year-end interest-rate increase. The U.S. currency rose versus Australia’s dollar as Fischer echoed comments by William C. Dudley, Dennis Lockhart and John Williams, who have all said since a disappointing September payrolls report that they still see rates being raised...

Gold Holds Near Seven-Week High as U.S. Rate Debate Holds Focus

Gold held near the highest level in seven weeks as investors tried to figure out which way the Federal Reserve will move on interest rates, with Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer adding to the debate by hinting at a rise this year. Bullion for immediate delivery gained 0.1 percent to $1,157.40 an ounce at 9:30 a.m. in Singapore, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. Prices rose to $1,159.78 in intraday trading on Friday, the highest since...

China Shanghai Composite Index Poised to Open Higher

China’s benchmark stock index is set to advance at the start of trading. The Shanghai Composite Index climbed ahead of the open, adding 0.3 percent to 3,193.54 at 9:25 a.m. local time. The gauge has risen 4.3 percent since financial markets resumed trading on Thursday. Consumer companies may advance after restaurant, cinema and travel sales surged during the “Golden Week” national...

Asia Stocks Climb After Biggest Weekly Rally Since December 2011

Asian stocks rose after posting their steepest weekly advance since December 2011, with technology and industrial shares leading gains. The MSCI Asia Pacific Excluding Japan Index climbed 0.2 percent to 425.16 as of 9:32 a.m. in Hong Kong, with Tokyo markets closed for a holiday. The measure jumped 6.5 percent last week. The comeback in global equities after their worst quarter in four years is being underpinned by sentiment surrounding...

S&P 500 Index Caps Best Week This Year While Energy Rally Pauses

U.S. stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index posting its strongest weekly gain this year, as equities continued to rebound from their worst quarter since 2011. Shares advanced Friday without the help of energy and raw-material companies, the two best-performing groups so far this month, as energy snapped its longest winning streak in six years. Apple Inc. added 2.4...