Commodities

Asian stocks fluctuated Friday as investors looked for direction before a key U.S. jobs report later in the day while Japan's market edged higher after the yen fell to a six-year low.

Global stock markets were lackluster Thursday after Wall Street fell and as investors looked ahead to a European Central Bank meeting and U.S. economic data.

Gold prices climbed Wednesday amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates at record lows.

Stocks can keep climbing next year, tacking even more gains onto their phenomenal run of the last five-plus years.

Oil speculators looking to trade on the view that Iran may soon flood the world market with oil had a short window Tuesday. 

The Obama administration on Friday unveiled its first major standards for oil companies that frack on federal lands, including beefed-up safety measures to protect groundwater, prompting industry complaints they will be a barrier to growth.

The ripple effects from the crisis in Ukraine should serve as yet another motivation for Washington to move quickly to make the U.S. energy independent.

TEST

A new study shows that not approving the long-battled over Keystone Pipeline would have minimal to no impact on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

___ After vote win, Greek leaders face pressure to restart talks ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Despite triumphing in a popular vote against austerity, Greece's leaders Monday faced the urgent need to heal ties with European creditors and reach a financial rescue deal to prevent it from falling out of the euro — possibly within days.

The handful of Asian stock markets open for trading on the last day of 2014 mostly rose modestly, led by China which is nearing a 52 percent gain for the year.

A renewed plunge in oil prices is a worrying sign of weakness in the global economy that could shake governments dependent on oil revenues.

Asian stock markets rose Monday, led by a 3 percent surge in Japan, as nerves about the outlook for the world economy steadied after big gains on Wall Street.

Linda Close was grateful to learn she qualified for a sizable subsidy to help pay for her health insurance under the new federal law.

___ Across US job market, layoffs are becoming rare WASHINGTON (AP) — The risk of losing your job is getting smaller and smaller.

___ Microsoft makes design central to its future Before Ralf Groene helped devise the look and feel of Microsoft's Surface tablet, he designed food — or "food concepts," he says, such as dried noodles that come wrapped around a pair of chopsticks and a fork that squeezes out sauce.

___ How GM's ignition switch redesign went wrong DETROIT (AP) — General Motors' deadly ignition switch flaws emerged from an effort to improve its cars.

Germany, long a bright spot in Europe’s troubled economy, is sustaining what appears to be a significant blow from turbulence in Russia and Ukraine.

Ratings companies have downgraded the Latin American country in recent days, warning of a 'materially higher risk of an economic collapse.' 

U.S. stocks opened sharply higher Tuesday after a late rebound in China encouraged traders.