Commodities

Asian stocks benchmarks were fairly steady Thursday as investors parsed economic data and awaited market-moving events in Europe, including Britain's general election and a European Central Bank meeting.

Asian stocks benchmarks were fairly steady Thursday as investors parsed economic data and awaited market-moving events in Europe, including Britain's general election and a European Central Bank meeting.

U.S. stocks edged higher in early trading Wednesday, led by gains in banks.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday despite a sharp decline in energy shares after written testimony from former FBI director James Comey did not add major revelations about an investigation into Russian meddling with last year's U.S. presidential election.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday despite a sharp decline in energy shares after written testimony from former FBI director James Comey did not add major revelations about an investigation into Russian meddling with last year's U.S. presidential election.

Oil prices slid 5 percent on Wednesday to a one-month low, after an unexpected increase in U.S. inventories of crude and gasoline fanned fears that output cuts by major world oil producers have not done much to drain a global glut.

Oil prices slid 5 percent on Wednesday to a one-month low, after an unexpected increase in U.S. inventories of crude and gasoline fanned fears that output cuts by major world oil producers have not done much to drain a global glut.

The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local): 9:35 a.m.

The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local): 9:35 a.m.

The Mexican sugar industry pushed for a probe into unfair U.S. trade practices Wednesday, despite leaders of the two countries reaching an agreement on sugar prices Tuesday intended to sidestep a potential trade war over the commodity.

The Mexican sugar industry pushed for a probe into unfair U.S. trade practices Wednesday, despite leaders of the two countries reaching an agreement on sugar prices Tuesday intended to sidestep a potential trade war over the commodity.

Increased violence and corruption in central Africa could be the result of the recent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission not to enforce a rule requiring American companies to report their use of conflict minerals, warn Congolese civic groups, rights groups and U.S. senators.

Increased violence and corruption in central Africa could be the result of the recent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission not to enforce a rule requiring American companies to report their use of conflict minerals, warn Congolese civic groups, rights groups and U.S. senators.

Oil prices dipped on Wednesday on renewed concerns about the efficacy of OPEC-led production cuts due to rising tensions within the export group over Qatar and growing U.S. output.

Oil prices dipped on Wednesday on renewed concerns about the efficacy of OPEC-led production cuts due to rising tensions within the export group over Qatar and growing U.S. output.

Asian stocks were mostly higher Wednesday following Wall Street's decline as traders looked ahead to British elections.

U.S. stock indexes edged mostly lower in early trading Tuesday, extending modest losses from the day before.

U.S. stock indexes edged mostly lower in early trading Tuesday, extending modest losses from the day before.

The United States and Mexico finalized a deal on sugar prices Tuesday – potentially clearing a key hurdle as the two countries look toward NAFTA discussions later this summer – but not everyone is on board with the agreement.

The United States and Mexico finalized a deal on sugar prices Tuesday – potentially clearing a key hurdle as the two countries look toward NAFTA discussions later this summer – but not everyone is on board with the agreement.