Commodities

Apple is reportedly in talks to buy long-term supplies of cobalt for iPhone batteries directly from miner.

___ Investors are winners as companies lay out tax-saving plans NEW YORK (AP) — The tax overhaul was sold by its backers as a way to help American workers, and companies have announced plans to give employees bonuses and improve their operations.

U.S. stocks were mostly lower in the early going Tuesday as trading reopened after a long holiday weekend.

Asian shares were mostly lower Tuesday after a U.S. holiday.

Asian markets were higher on Monday following Wall Street gains last week, as market jitters showed signs of easing.

Shares were higher in Japan and Thailand but fell in Australia and India, with most Asian markets closed Friday for the lunar new year holiday.

World shares were set to post their best week of gains in six years on Friday after two consecutive weeks spent in the red, shrugging off a rise in global borrowing costs while the dollar hit its lowest level since 2014.

Gold rose to a three-week high on Friday as the dollar index slid to a three-year low and stronger-than-expected inflation data this week boosted interest in the metal as a hedge against price pressures.

U.S. stocks are rising Thursday as investors continue to snap up shares of companies that do better in times of faster economic growth, such as industrial and technology companies and banks.

There were few warning signs before the stock market's plunge in early February, but so far, the slump hasn't changed investors' thinking very much.

___ US mortgage rates climb to a nearly 4-year peak WASHINGTON (AP) — Long-term U.S. mortgage rates jumped this week to their highest level in nearly four years.

Asian shares posted solid gains on Thursday that mirrored Wall Street's advance as investors' worries over inflation receded, although trading was thin as some markets closed for Lunar New Year holidays.

U.S. stocks are shaking off an early decline and turning higher Wednesday.

___ US inflation pressures raising expectations for rate hikes WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation pressures appear to be building in the U.S. economy, a prospect that is heightening anxiety about potentially higher borrowing rates that could slow economic growth.

Asian shares were mixed Wednesday with investors adopting a wait-and-see stance ahead of Lunar New Year holidays and the release of U.S. inflation data.

U.S. stocks are lower Tuesday morning as health care companies slump.

___ Stocks edge higher as a 3-day win streak restores some calm NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks shake off a slow start and finish higher for the third day in a row as banks and technology companies climb.

Asian shares tracked an overnight rally on Wall Street, though Japan's Nikkei 225 index ceded early gains as the yen rose against the U.S. dollar.

U.S. stocks are posting solid gains early Monday as energy companies recover some of their recent losses.

___ Stocks power higher after a dreadful week; Dow jumps 410 NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks powered higher Monday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average up 410 points, as the market clawed back more of its massive losses from the previous two weeks.