Commodities

Oil prices were near two-month highs on Monday, putting July on track to become the strongest month so far this year, as news of a producers' meeting next week added to bullish sentiment driven by the threat of U.S. sanctions against OPEC-member Venezuela.

Oil prices were near two-month highs on Monday, putting July on track to become the strongest month so far this year, as news of a producers' meeting next week added to bullish sentiment driven by the threat of U.S. sanctions against OPEC-member Venezuela.

Ukrainian state-run energy company Centrenergo said on Monday it had struck a deal with U.S. trader Xcoal to import 700,00 tonnes of thermal coal this year - the first time Ukraine has imported the commodity from the United States.

Ukrainian state-run energy company Centrenergo said on Monday it had struck a deal with U.S. trader Xcoal to import 700,00 tonnes of thermal coal this year - the first time Ukraine has imported the commodity from the United States.

Shares were mixed Monday in Asia, with Chinese markets shrugging off weaker manufacturing indicators while Japan's Nikkei index sagged as the yen surged against the dollar.

Shares were mixed Monday in Asia, with Chinese markets shrugging off weaker manufacturing indicators while Japan's Nikkei index sagged as the yen surged against the dollar.

Shares were mixed in Asia early Monday, with Chinese markets shrugging off weaker factory output indicators while Japan's Nikkei index sagged as the yen surged against the dollar.

Shares were mixed in Asia early Monday, with Chinese markets shrugging off weaker factory output indicators while Japan's Nikkei index sagged as the yen surged against the dollar.

___ Sluggish but durable: 5 things about US economy's expansion WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy acquired an exclusive label Friday: Recession-free for eight full years.

___ Sluggish but durable: 5 things about US economy's expansion WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy acquired an exclusive label Friday: Recession-free for eight full years.

U.S. stocks followed other markets lower on Friday after Amazon and several other big companies reported quarterly results that underwhelmed investors.

U.S. stocks followed other markets lower on Friday after Amazon and several other big companies reported quarterly results that underwhelmed investors.

Oil ended its strongest week this year with a surge on Friday, built on receding fears of oversupply, as U.S. crude came within striking distance of $50 a barrel for the first time since the end of May.

The S&P 500 slipped on Friday on negative reactions to earnings reports from high-profile names such as Amazon, Exxon and Starbucks and a drop in shares of tobacco companies.

Grain futures were higher Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Grain futures were higher Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

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

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

Asian shares slid Friday as investors assessed corporate earnings reports, with a sell-off in Wall Street tech stocks pressuring sentiment.

Big gains for Facebook, Verizon Communications and other companies reporting healthier-than-expected results nudged U.S. stock indexes a bit further into record territory on Thursday.