Commodities

Asian stock markets were mostly lower on Thursday as investors awaited President Donald Trump's announcement on his choice to lead the Federal Reserve.

Stocks around the world continued to push higher Wednesday, led by companies that extract oil and other commodities from the ground.

Wall Street banked modest gains on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged and gave encouraging comments about the economy.

Wall Street banked modest gains on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged and gave encouraging comments about the economy.

Wheat for Dec. was off 6.25 cents at 4.1850 a bushel; Dec. corn fell 3 cents at 3.4575 bushel; Dec. oats was up 1.50 cents at $2.6475 bushel; while Nov. soybeans rose 1 cent at $9.7375 a bushel.

Wheat for Dec. was off 6.25 cents at 4.1850 a bushel; Dec. corn fell 3 cents at 3.4575 bushel; Dec. oats was up 1.50 cents at $2.6475 bushel; while Nov. soybeans rose 1 cent at $9.7375 a bushel.

Oil prices dipped in see-saw trade on Wednesday, hitting their highest in more than two years and then retreating.

Oil prices dipped in see-saw trade on Wednesday, hitting their highest in more than two years and then retreating.

Asian shares were higher Wednesday on optimism about global economic growth following gains on Wall Street.

Asian shares were higher Wednesday on optimism about global economic growth following gains on Wall Street.

U.S. stock indexes held steady in early trading on Tuesday following strong earnings reports from the makers of Kellogg's cereals, Oreo cookies and others.

U.S. stock indexes held steady in early trading on Tuesday following strong earnings reports from the makers of Kellogg's cereals, Oreo cookies and others.

___ Trump predicts passage of tax plan by Christmas WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is predicting that he will sign his tax overhaul by Christmas in the "biggest tax event in the history of our country."

Analysts say bullish sentiment that has driven Brent crude to its highest in more than two years could encourage U.S. producers to export more oil.

Grain futures were mixed Monday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Stock markets around the world took a pause on Monday from their record-setting run ahead of a busy week for markets.

___ Administration official: Powell top candidate for Fed chair WASHINGTON (AP) — Jerome "Jay" Powell, a member of the Federal Reserve's board, is President Donald Trump's leading candidate to replace Janet Yellen as the head of the nation's central bank, with an announcement planned for Thursday, according to senior administration officials.

___ Administration official: Powell top candidate for Fed chair WASHINGTON (AP) — Jerome "Jay" Powell, a member of the Federal Reserve's board, is President Donald Trump's leading candidate to replace Janet Yellen as the head of the nation's central bank, with an announcement planned for Thursday, according to senior administration officials.

Wall Street pulled back from record-high territory on Monday, weighed down by a drop in Merck shares, as investors assessed President Donald Trump’s plan for corporate tax cuts.

Wall Street pulled back from record-high territory on Monday, weighed down by a drop in Merck shares, as investors assessed President Donald Trump’s plan for corporate tax cuts.