Gold eases, but holds above $1,200 as caution prevails

Gold eased for a second straight session on Monday as the dollar edged higher, but the metal remained underpinned above $1,200 an ounce as caution in financial markets prompted investors to channel money into bullion. Spot gold had fallen 0.3 percent to $1,223.70 an ounce by 0035 GMT, after declining 0.3 percent on Friday. The metal jumped to its highest in a year earlier this month on turmoil in the stock markets and concerns over the...

Chinese Stocks Extend Weekly Gain as New Regulator Head Picked

China’s stocks rose, extending a weekly gain, on speculation the new securities regulator chairman will take steps to boost the world’s second-largest equity market. The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1.2 percent to 2,894.89 at 9:31 a.m. local time, led by commodity producers and financial companies. The benchmark measure climbed 3.5 percent last week, the most in two months. Developers gained after the government said it will cut...

Asian Stocks Decline After Biggest Weekly Rally in Four Years

Most Asian stocks fell, after the biggest weekly rally in four years, as oil held declines and a stronger yen weighed on Japanese shares. About three shares dropped for each that rose on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index, which lost 0.1 percent to 119.50 as of 9:10 a.m. in Tokyo after jumping 5.9 percent last week. Santos Ltd. slid 2.7 percent in Sydney as U.S. oil traded below $30 a barrel. HSBC Holdings Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. are scheduled...

apanese Stocks Drop After Last Week Gains Amid Stronger Yen

Japanese stocks fell, after posting the biggest weekly gain in six years, as banks and commodities shares slipped while the yen strengthened. The Topix index declined 1 percent to 1,278.96 as of 9:05 a.m. in Tokyo, following last week’s advance of 8 percent, its best weekly rally since 2009. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 0.9 percent to 15,816.83. The yen traded at 122.54 per dollar, close to its strongest level in a week. The greenback...