Natural-gas futures near $12 mark, set for 6% weekly gain

Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 12:05:40 -0400
Natural-gas futures near $12 mark, set for 6% weekly gain

Natural-gas futures climb into uncharted territory close to $12 per
million British thermal units, playing off concerns about the Atlantic
Hurricane season, as crude-oil futures turn higher and stand ready to
end the week with a gain of more than 5%.
Commodities Corner: Oil's tense trading scene may sway a move to Dubai

The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange will launch trading of crude-oil
futures on Tuesday, a timely move given the astronomical prices for oil
and talk of U.S. regulation of speculators in the commodity markets.

Currencies: Dollar weakens as oil renews upside march

The dollar slips modestly against its bigger counterparts, pressured by
buoyant oil prices, but remains in relatively narrow ranges in quiet
trading ahead of a long holiday weekend for the U.S. and U.K.

Gap's results may signal turnaround under way: analysts

Gap Inc. posts a 40% jump in first-quarter profit, leading some analysts
to believe that the retailer's long-awaited turnaround may finally be
taking hold.

ECB rate hike seen as unlikely after weak purchasing data

A closely watched measure of business activity slows in five years in
May, likely eliminating any prospect an inflation-wary European Central
Bank will hike euro-zone interest rates.