Commodities

Share prices were mostly lower in Asia on Wednesday as the afterglow from Wall Street's extended winning streak faded.

U.S. stock indexes held close to their record levels on Tuesday, and the Standard & Poor's 500 edged higher as calm continues to reign over markets around the world.

___ World Bank predicts solid 3.1 percent global growth in 2018 WASHINGTON (AP) — The World Bank is predicting that the global economy will grow 3.1 percent this year, which would be its best showing in seven years.

Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, with U.S. crude touching its highest since December 2014, supported by OPEC-led production cuts and expectations that U.S. crude inventories have dropped for an eighth week.

Asian shares were mostly higher on Tuesday, cheered by the upbeat mood on Wall Street and hopes for a robust U.S. economy.

U.S. stock indexes took a small step back from their record levels on Monday, as their momentum slowed following a torrid start to the year.

___ Retail workers feel disruption from shifting shopper habits NEW YORK (AP) — The retail industry is being radically reshaped by technology and nobody feels that disruption more starkly than the 16 million Americans working as shelf stockers, salespeople and cashiers.

Oil prices were little changed on Monday, trading near their highest since May 2015, as political concerns in some OPEC nations offset projections for higher U.S. oil production.

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

___ US employers closed out 2017 with modest but steady hiring WASHINGTON (AP) — The December jobs report suggests that the economy has entered the new year on solid footing.

Oil prices fell on Friday, dropping from highs last seen in 2015, as soaring U.S. production undermined a 10 percent rally from December lows that was driven by tightening supply and political tensions in OPEC member Iran.

Technology and transportation companies are climbing as U.S. stocks rise for the fourth day in a row to start 2018.

Grain futures were lower Thursday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Asian stock markets rose Friday after the Dow Jones industrial average finished above 25,000 for the first time.

The Dow Jones industrial average is trading above 25,000 points for the first time early Thursday, breaking another 1,000-point milestone.

___ Dow Jones industrials climb above 25,000 for the first time NEW YORK (AP) — The Dow Jones industrial average burst through the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000.

Oil rose on Thursday to its highest since May 2015, on concern about supply risks due to unrest in Iran and another decline in U.S. inventories as refining activity hit a 12-year high.

The proposed five-year drilling plan would open millions of acres, or more than 90% of the U.S.’s coastal reserves to development, officials said.

Some industries are bracing for the potential impact and sales boost of a powerful “cyclone bomb” winter storm that is projected to cause record-setting cold and dangerous road conditions along the East Coast this weekend.

Asian shares were mostly higher on Thursday, led by Japan, on optimism over the coming year that pushed Wall Street to record highs.