Oil Rises as Kuwaiti Says Iran Is not Needed for Freeze Pact

Oil advanced on speculation a pact to freeze crude output may be reached without the participation of Iran. Futures rose from a one-month low. Oil-producing countries can come to an agreement capping crude production at January levels even if Iran doesn’t join the move to help shore up prices, according to Kuwait’s OPEC governor. The dollar dropped to the lowest level against the yen in more than a year, bolstering the appeal...

Gold Rises Most in a Week as Equities Drop Boosts Haven Demand

Gold gained the most in a week as equities fell amid mounting global economic concerns, pushing back prospects for a U.S. interest-rate increase. Stocks slid as investors turned cautious after worse-than-expected economic data in the U.S. and Germany this week. The global recovery is facing growing risks, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said Tuesday, a week after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said caution was warranted...

Hong Kong Shares Fall Despite Mainland Gains, Energy Stocks Tumble (Review)

Hong Kong's main stock index posted its biggest loss in nearly six weeks on Tuesday, touching a one-month low, as the energy sector tumbled against a backdrop of slumping crude oil prices and mixed messages on the outlook for U.S. monetary policy. The Hang Seng Index had its worst day since Feb. 25, dropping 1.6 percent to 20,177.00. The China Enterprises Index lost 1.9 percent, to 8,679.04 points. The Hong Kong market tracked falls...

Asian Stocks Fluctuate as Crude Rebound Buoys Energy Producers

Asian stocks swung between gains and losses, after the regional benchmark index dropped to a one-month low, as energy companies surged with a rebound in oil while utilities slid. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell less than 0.1 percent to 124.34 as of 9:14 a.m. in Tokyo, after rising as much as 0.1 percent. Japan’s Topix index fluctuated as the yen traded near a 1 1/2-year high. After a rally in risk assets since mid-February,...

U.S. Stocks Retreat as Rally Falters Amid Global Growth Concerns

U.S. stocks fell, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index on track for the steepest loss in four weeks, amid simmering concerns that weakness in global growth will deepen. Banks paced the retreat, sinking along with Treasury yields as bonds rallied on haven demand. Bank of America Corp. slid 1.9 percent. Health-care companies fell for the first time in three days, dragged lower by Allergan Plc’s 16 percent tumble after the government...