Business  
/
 
Markets  
/
 
Commodities
Brent crude has risen about $7 from the low of under $97 for the year touched on April 18th. Brent below $104 on demand worries, firm dollar

Bleak US economic data revives worries about demand growth

Brent crude was 18 cents lower at $102.67 a barrel by 7.42am, while US crude for June delivery was down 16 cents at $93.83 a barrel. Brent steadies below $103 on ECB rate cut

Cut in interest rates to record low boosts investor appetite for riskier assets

Brent above $100 as ECB rate cut supports risky assets

But global oil demand remains shaky and ample supple weighs on prices

Unsolid gold

Tullow Oil shares fell 4.9 per cent today, the lowest proce since December. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Tullow Oil falls to four-month low

Shares slump after UK explorer postpones Ethiopia well

Cash bullion of 99.99 per cent purity sank as much as 8.4 per cent to 285.60 yuan a gram on the Shanghai Gold Exchange, the lowest since February 2011. Photograph: Bobby Yip/Reuters Gold and silver drop as demand for haven assets contracts

Price of metals for June delivery fell to lowest level in two years in Shanghai

The world's top oil forecasters this week all cut their 2013 oil demand forecasts due to subdued economic growth, but warned of lingering supply risks. Photograph: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton Oil holds above eight-month low

Top forecasters cut 2013 oil demand growth estimates as US jobs data and oil supply worries may support prices

A container area at Ningbo port, Zhejiang province. China saw a forecast-busting 14.1 per cent year on year surge in imports which eclipsed export growth of 10 per cent, signalling that domestic demand was gathering the steam needed to drive economic recovery. Photograph: Reuters Brent steadies as China import growth beats forecasts

Tensions in Iran and North Korea also bolstered oil prices

Brent futures remained steady after signals the Federal Reserve?s bond-buying programme will continue. Oil nears $113 after Bernanke talk

Brent futures held near $113 (€86

Investors take profit on Brent crude as speculators have almost doubled their bets on an oil price rise since mid-December. Oil posts largest daily fall in 2013

Oil extended losses for a second session this morning, with Brent slipping toward $115 (€86

A sharp drop in Saudi Arabia's crude output boosts brent price. Brent crude rises towards $118

Brent crude rose slightly toward $118 a barrel this morning, underpinned by expectations of improving global growth despite some…

Higher demand forecasts support oil price. Oil near nine-month high

Brent crude steadied on this morning, holding just below a nine-month high near $119 (€85) per barrel on forecasts for faster…

An oil derrick at a fracking site for extracting oil outside of Williston, North Dakota. The price of oil rose today after reaching an 8-month low last week. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Price of oil rises after dropping to 8-month low

Brent crude reaches $105 per barrel

Yesterday’s slide in oil prices was triggered by a US jobs report that showed private sector hiring was less than expected in March. Photograph: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg News Brent recovers from steep drop

Prices rise after biggest fall in five months following disappointing US jobs data

Oil prices dipped below $109 today. Brent slips below $109 on euro zone worries

But robust US data provides brighter outlook for demand from biggest oil consumer

Worries the standoff between the West and Iran will escalate have kept Brent above $100 a barrel through most of 2012 and this year, despite weak demand. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Brent crude set for second weekly drop

Oil price on track to post 2% fall this week as investors fear further euro zone instability

Investors are looking to gold as a hedge against instability in the euro zone and inflation. Scott Olson/Getty Images Gold price rises on Cyprus worries

Metal on track for biggest weekly rise this year as investors seek safe havens

Brent crude held steady this morning trade as Chinese manufacturing data pointed to a better fuel demand outlook. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Brent steady on Chinese data

Better fuel outlook in China offsets concerns about euro zone contagion from Cyprus

An oil drilling pump site outside of Williston, North Dakota. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Brent edges to $109 on euro zone concerns

Investors look to Federal Reserve policy meeting for clues on further QE as Cyprus due to vote on bank deposits levy today

Oil pumpjacks are seen during sunrise in Williston, North Dakota March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Brent futures break above $109

Outlook on US economy steadies as unemployment claims drop for third week in a row

Spending cuts that came into effect on Friday have led to uncertainty over growth prospects in the world's largest economy. Photograph: Bloomberg Brent crude futures rise to $111

Brent crude futures rose towards $111 (€85

Latest Markets

The Government last year gave Bord Gáis the responsibility for establishing the new State water company. Abtran wins Irish water call centre contract
Iseq heavyweight CRH was down 0.73 per cent at ¤16.405. However the group outperformed its peers European stocks plunge as Fed signals it may back off on stimulus and Chinese output slips
National Treasury Asset Management chief executive John Corrigan (right) at NTMA briefing at the Treasury Building in Dublin. At left is Rossa White and centre Oliver Whelan. Bryan O'Brien / THE IRISH TIMES NTMA issues €500m of three-month bonds
Bond auction follows Ireland’s sale of 10-year bills earlier this month. Simon Dawson/Bloomberg NTMA to sell €500m of bonds this week
Brent crude rose slipped 2 cents to $106.32 a barrel by 0654 GMT, off an earlier high of $106.65. Photograph: Jin Lee/Bloomberg Brent steadies after hitting five-month low
Students take part in an anti-Troika protest outside the Presidential palace in Nicosia. Cyprus's Stock Exchange extended an almost two-week shutdown after the island placed controls on currency transactions to prevent a run on deposits when banks reopen. Photograph: Yannis Behrakis/Reuters Cyprus bourse to remain shut amid currency controls