LAGOS, Nov 17, 2007 (AFP) - Nigerian stock prices rose 3.8 percent this week as the index closed at 53,291.68 points from 51,596.62 the previous week, brokers said Saturday.

NEW YORK, Nov 16, 2007 (AFP) - US investors are keeping their fingers crossed that the legendary American consumer has not lost his or her appetite for spending ahead of the crucial pre-Christmas shopping season.

Analysts say the approaching week will be of particular importance because the Thanksgiving holiday week traditionally kicks off an annual shopping fest.

Concerns about the health of the American consumer are mounting, however, because of a nagging housing slump, a related credit crunch and surging energy costs.

LAGOS, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Nigerian stock prices rose 0.2 percent last week as the All-Shares index closed at 51,316.89 points, brokers said Monday.

Investors traded 2.7 billion shares valued at 42.4 billion naira in 56,473 deals compared with 1.8 billion shares valued at 26.13 billion naira in 32,774 deals the previous week.

Market capitalisation stood at 8.23 trillion naira.

Seventy-five stocks appreciated in value with African Petroleum chalking up 5.34 naira to close at 112.24 naira per share.

A total of 59 stocks fell in value last week.

NEW YORK, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - A horrific week on Wall Street has put the bears in command as the market braces for more bleak news from the US housing front and earnings that may show how companies are weathering the storm.

In the week ended Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 4.05 percent to 13.522.02 as the blue-chip index retreated from its highs of October 9 above 14,000 points.

The broad market Standard & Poor's 500 index sank 3.92 percent to 1,500.63 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq tumbled 2.87 percent to 2,725.16.

LONDON, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Scorching oil prices blazed a record-breaking trail beyond 90 dollars this week as traders fretted over the weak US dollar and geopolitical jitters in the crude-rich Middle East.

Prices were electrified by fears that a Turkish military incursion into northern Iraq could further tighten world energy supplies, analysts said.

Elsewhere, the platinum hit another all-time pinnacle owing to tight supplies, while gold traded at the highest point since 1980.

LONDON, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - British investors, nursing heavy losses after a turbulent week, will track surging oil prices next week amid the latest results from energy titans BP and Royal Dutch Shell.

The FTSE 100 index plunged by 3.01 percent or 202.8 points to end the week on Friday at 6,527.90 points.

The large drop, which came amid heavy falls on Wall Street, snapped a run of five weekly gains for the FTSE.

Global markets have been rocked by oil prices, which smashed a series of record highs to climax at 90.07 dollars per barrel in New York on Friday.

LAGOS, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - The Nigerian naira rose against the dollar this week in the foreign exchange market, closing at 123.1 from 124.4 the previous week, dealers said Friday.

A total of 13 banks participated in the official market where the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold 40.05 million dollars, up from 18.5 million last week, they said.

Against the euro and pound sterling, the naira climbed to 174.64 and 250.48 from 176.1 and 253.9 respectively.

TOKYO, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese stocks will likely take their cue from currency markets and a slew of corporate results next week amid nervousness about the impact of the stronger yen on exporter earnings, dealers said Friday.

They said investors may refrain from buying as the domestic results season gets in full swing and with Wall Street still jittery about the fallout from the US mortgage and credit market woes.

SYDNEY, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Australian share prices may fall next week as investors take profits but the underlying trend is still up and the benchmark index could hit the 7000 mark by year-end, dealers said Friday.

Over the week the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 42.6 points or 0.6 percent, to close on Friday at 6,706.3.

Eyes next week will be largely on inflation data due out on Wednesday, which has the potential to trigger an interest rate hike, widely tipped to take place before the end of the year.

HONG KONG, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong's roaring stock market will calm next week, but fundamentals remain strong and the benchmark index will see more trading above the 30,000-point mark, dealers said.

The market has enjoyed an upward surge of more than 40 percent since the latter part of August when China announced its intention to allow mainland retail investors to put cash into the Hong Kong market for the first time.

NEW YORK, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street heads into a big week for corporate earnings with strong upward momentum as investors appear to be viewing the latest economic ills as short-lived, analysts said Friday.

Stock indexes have been holding near record or multiyear highs as fears of a credit squeeze in global financial markets ebb.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average chalked up a modest gain of 0.19 percent for the week to end Friday at 14,093.08 points, after notching up an all-time high on Tuesday.

LONDON, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - The prices of platinum and lead struck all-time highs this week owing to tight global supplies of the metals.

Elsewhere, Gold breached 750 dollars an ounce for the first time since 1980 and oil futures flirted with record peaks.

PRECIOUS METALS: The price of platinum forged a record high on Thursday as the white metal was hit by tight global supplies, while gold soared to the best level since 1980 on the back of the weak US dollar, analysts said.

LONDON, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - The London stock market will seek to extend its strong run next week, as investors hunt for clues on the future direction of British interest rates.

The FTSE 100 index surged 2.05 percent, or 134.9 points, to end the week on Friday at 6,730.70 points.

That marked the fifth weekly gain in a row.

The FTSE's best-ever finish stands at 6,930.20 points, which was set on December 30, 1999.

TOKYO, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese investors are likely to remain in a buoyant mood next week with the stock market close to a two-month high but further gains could be limited by caution over upcoming earning results, dealers said.

Instead investors may take a wait and see stance as US corporate earnings are released and ahead of the domestic interim results season which is due to get in full-swing later in the month, they said.

HONG KONG, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong's booming stock market will continue to rise next week as the flow of cash from the mainland continues to bolster equities here, dealers said.

The market saw yet another surge this week, crashing through the 29,000 mark for the first time on hopes of even greater China inflows and tax cuts for both individuals and businesses in chief executive Donald Tsang's annual policy address Wednesday.

SYDNEY, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Australian share prices could end its strong run in the week ahead as investors take profits and the market starts to become more expensive, dealers said Friday.

They said with only a spattering of domestic data out next week, most eyes will be on developments in the United States.

But the market, which hit record levels at four consecutive sessions until dealers took profits on Friday, could have come 'too far, too fast', CommSec chief equities economist Craig James said.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 11, 2007 (AFP) - Kuwaiti shares ended the week trading through Thursday at a new all-time high above the 13,000-point psychological barrier on the back of abundant liquidity and positive financial results.

The Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) Index cruised past the 13,000 points for the first time on Sunday and stayed above the mark despite some pressure from profit-taking sales, brokers said.

The KSE Index finished trading at 13,079.00 points, up 0.8 percent from last week's close of 12,977.20 points.

NEW YORK, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street stocks notched up hefty gains in the past week, setting fresh all-time highs, as investors gained confidence in the economic outlook despite mounting profit warnings from major banks.

The markets were buoyed Friday by a monthly government report which showed improved job growth last month. The job snapshot, which showed 110,000 new jobs created in September, soothed investors fears that the economy could be facing a recession risk.

LONDON, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - The London stock exchange will focus on the British government's annual pre-budget report next week amid mounting speculation of a snap general election in November.

The FTSE 100 index gained for the fourth consecutive week, gaining 0.73 percent on Friday to end at 6,595.80, an increase of 129 points and 1.99 percent compared to a week ago.

During the session it passed the level of 6,600 points, for the first time since July 24.

LONDON, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - World oil prices fell further from historic highs this week amid news of rising crude reserves in the United States, which is the biggest global energy consumer.

Oil and other dollar-denominated commodities were buoyed by a weak US dollar, which makes them cheaper for buyers using stronger currencies.

A spirited rally on Friday by the US dollar, which followed a strong report on US job creation in September, fizzled out as the news was not enough to sustain investor confidence in the US unit.

LAGOS, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - The Nigerian naira was stable against the dollar this week at the foreign exchange market, closing at 124.4 like the previous week, dealers said Friday.

A total of 10 banks participated in the official market where the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold 18.5 million dollars, down from 59.9 million last week, they said.

Against the euro and pound sterling, the naira dropped to 176.1 and 253.9 from 175.4 and and 250.5 respectively.

TOKYO, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices are likely to remain buoyant in the coming week, particularly if major US companies report solid earnings and concerns over credit market woes continue to ease, dealers said.

Investors will weigh US and domestic data for fresh clues on the health of the global economy and prospects for another US interest rate cut, they said.

HONG KONG, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices are likely to repeat the recent see saw trade next week as global funds continue to flood into the city with gains to be capped by uncertainties in the US, dealers said.

They said this week, volatility has dominated a market with a series of record breaking streaks and the highest-ever turnover driven by fund inflows and Wall Street gains.

But it also suffered huge losses as investors took profit.

SYDNEY, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - Australian share prices are expected to tread water next week as investors take stock of a prolonged rally that has taken the market into record territory, dealers said Friday.

For the week to October 5 the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index ended up 37.6 points or 0.6 percent at 6,605.4, its seventh straight weekly gain.

AMP Capital Investors chief economist Shane Oliver said fears about the US credit crunch continued to ease and investors were responding positively to the Australian economy's strong fundamental.

LAGOS, Oct 1, 2007 (AFP) - Nigerian stock prices dropped 1.41 percent last week as the All-Shares index closed at 50,229.01 points from 50,946.53 points in the preceding week, brokers said Monday.

Investors traded three billion shares valued at 61.3 billion naira in 55,032 deals compared with 2.44 billion shares valued at 39.9 billion naira in 54,164 deals the previous week.

Market capitalisation stood at 8.02 trillion naira.

NEW YORK, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - After another positive week for Wall Street, it appears investors are looking past the gloomy outlook for the the US economy and betting on sunnier times after some short-term problems.

The market's surprising performance over the past week have the main indexes showing strong gains in the traditionally weak month of September, and for the third quarter.

The gains come against a backdrop of a worrisome economic picture as the housing market hits more turbulence and consumers are showing signs of buckling.

LONDON, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Crude oil prices struck fresh record high points this week amid tight global supplies of energy.

Oil and other commodities priced in dollars also benefited from a weak US dollar as they became cheaper for buyers using stronger currencies.

The euro on Friday breached 1.42 dollars for the first time as the US currency came under heavy selling pressure on expectations of further interest rate cuts in the United States, dealers said.

LONDON, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - British investors will next week focus on an interest rate decision from the Bank of England amid jitters over global credit squeeze.

The FTSE 100 index of leading shares finished Friday at 6,466.80 points, up 10.1 points or 0.16 percent from a week earlier. The FTSE had soared by 2.66 percent in value the previous week.

Next Thursday, the BoE will unveil its October monetary policy decision after a two-day meeting. Most analysts expect the British central bank to leave borrowing costs at a six-year high point of 5.75 percent.

TOKYO, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices may extend their recovery next week if a key central bank survey of business confidence surpasses market expectations, analysts said Friday.

But they said Japanese stocks were likely to remain vulnerable to developments in the US economy amid continued worries about a slump in the US housing market.

Over the week to September 28, Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei-225 index advanced 473.08 points or 2.90 percent to 16,785.69 following a 1.15 percent increase the previous week.

SYDNEY, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) - Australian share prices are expected to continue a record-breaking rally next week but remain vulnerable to a mild short-term correction, dealers said Friday.

For the week to September 28 the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index ended up 3.3 percent at an all-time high 6,567.8, a gain for the week of 209.9 points as the market posted its sixth consecutive weekly gain.

The market closed at record levels in four of the five weekly sessions.

LAGOS, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - The Nigerian naira inched higher against major international currencies this week at the foreign exchange market, dealers said Thursday.

A total of 18 banks participated in the official market where the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold 59.9 million dollars, they said.

Against the dollar, the naira rose to 124.4 from 124.7 last week.

The Nigerian note also rallied to 250.5 from 250.9 against the pound sterling, but dropped to 175.4 from 172.9 against the euro.

LAGOS, Sept 22, 2007 (AFP) - The Nigerian naira was stable this week against the dollar in the official market, closing at 124.75, dealers said Saturday.

Against the British pound the naira rose to 250.9 from 253.4 while it dropped to 172.9 from 167.1 in the preceding week.

On the parallel market, the Nigerian currency was stable at 128.20 and 173 against the dollar and the euro.

The naira was also steady at 262 against the British pound in the open market.

LAGOS, Sept 22, 2007 (AFP) - Nigerian stock prices dipped 2.52 percent this week as the index closed at 50,946.53 points from 52,264.11 the previous week, brokers said Saturday.

Turnover rose 28 percent as a total of 2.44 billion shares valued at 39.9 billion naira was traded in 54,164 deals compared with 2.3 billion valued at 31 billion naira in 57,524 in the preceding week.

Market capitalisation stood at 8.02 trillion naira.

Forty stocks appreciated in the week against 57 last week, with oil stock AP chalking up 13.15 naira to close at 85.01 naira per share.

NEW YORK, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street indexes are flirting with record highs on the heels of a hefty Federal Reserve rate cut, but the market faces headwinds with data in the coming week likely to show a struggling economy.

The powerful rally in the past week showed equity investors cheering the Fed's half-point rate cut even though some analysts say the move highlights an economy dangerously close to recession.

LONDON, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - Crude oil prices surged to all-time highs this week, striking a record peak of 84.10 dollars a barrel in New York owing to heightened concerns over tight supplies in the United States.

Brent crude reached an historic 79.94 dollars in London.

Oil also won strong support from a weak dollar, which made the dollar-denominated commodity cheaper for buyers using stronger currencies.

Other commodities priced in dollars, such as gold and silver, also benefited from the slumping US currency this week.

LONDON, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - The plight of troubled British bank Northern Rock and the ongoing credit squeeze was once again expected to loom over the London stock market next week.

The FTSE 100 index of leading shares finished Friday at 6,456.70 points, up 167.4 points or 2.66 percent from a week earlier.

That followed a gain of 1.58 percent the previous week -- despite the unfolding of credit troubles at Northern Rock, which is Britain's fifth-biggest mortgage lender.

TOKYO, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices may struggle to extend a rebound next week given concerns about the health of the global economy, high oil prices and a weak dollar, analysts said Friday.

Political events could also keep the market cautious, with the winner of the race to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set to form a new government.

Japanese shares rebounded over the past week after a larger than expected US interest rate cut sparked a global stock market rally.

HONG KONG, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices are 'ridiculously' over-priced and will likely undergo a correction next week, following spectacular performance in the past month, dealers said.

The market hit an intraday low of 19,387 on August 17, but since then has risen more than 5,000 points, mainly powered by China's announcement on August 20 of a plan to allow mainland investors to buy Hong Kong stocks directly.

MANILA, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - Philippine share prices are likely to consolidate in the coming week as investors take a breather after the market surged to a seven-week high earlier, analysts said Friday.

But investors will have all eyes on the United States after Fed chairman Ben Bernanke warned that the effects of the subprime mortgage crisis were far from over.

'Definitely we are expecting the market next week to consolidate,' said Gomer Tan of Regina Capital Development Corp.