(Adds details on dollar, bitcoin contracts, comments, table, byline)By Gertrude Chavez-DreyfussNEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Speculators raised net short U.S. dollar bets this week, pushing them to their highest level since mid-December, according to calculations by Reuters and Commodity Futures Trading Commission data released on Friday.The value of the net short dollar positions, derived from net...Read More

(Updates market action, adds graphic)NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. bond market's gauges of inflation expectations rose on Friday to their highest levels since at least April on expectations of a pick-up in wage growth in 2018 following the government's payrolls report.The U.S. Labor Department said earlier Friday average hourly earnings grew 0.3 percent in December, matching analyst expect...Read More

LEAPS, or Long-term Equity AnticiPation Securities, are options with expiration dates set as far as three years into the future. They possess all the same characteristics as standard options, just with a much longer shelf life. Below, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of LEAPS vs. short-term options, compare buying LEAPS calls totraditional stock ownership, and look at ways to hedge...Read More

(Adds details on specific stocks, updates prices)* TSX ends down 63.5 points, or 0.39 percent, at 16,349.44* Half of the TSX's 10 main groups move lower* Index notches a 0.9 percent gain over shortened week TORONTO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell on Friday, weighed by losses among natural resource stocks as commodity prices pulled back, muting a strong weekly gain for the index...Read More

(Adds details on specific stocks, updates prices)* TSX ends down 63.5 points, or 0.39 percent, at 16,349.44* Half of the TSX's 10 main groups move lower* Index notches a 0.9 percent gain over shortened week TORONTO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell on Friday, weighed by losses among natural resource stocks as commodity prices pulled back, muting a strong weekly gain for the index...Read More

What is believed to be the world's most expensive bottle of vodka has been stolen from a Copenhagen bar.The $1.3-million container was made of yellow gold and silver and had a diamond-encrusted replica of the Russian Imperial Eagle on its cap. On season three of the political thriller House of Cards, it was served to US President Frank Underwood, played by the now-beleaguered Kevin Spacey.Followi...Read More

What is believed to be the world's most expensive bottle of vodka has been stolen from a Copenhagen bar.The $1.3-million container was made of yellow gold and silver and had a diamond-encrusted replica of the Russian Imperial Eagle on its cap. On season three of the political thriller House of Cards, it was served to US President Frank Underwood, played by the now-beleaguered Kevin Spacey.Followi...Read More

(New throughout, adds gains in Brazil, Chile stocks; outlook on currencies)By Flavia Bohone and Sheky EspejoSAO PAULO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Brazilian and Chilean stocks hit record highs on Friday, boosted by solid economic growth data, while Mexico's peso firmed to its strongest level in more than two weeks.Chilean equities were lifted by data that showed the economy grew at its fastest pace in almos...Read More

Stocks have closed out the first week of 2018 with a bang, with the Dow adding 2.33% in the first four trading sessions -- the best start to a year since 2003. In addition, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) enjoyed their best start to a year since 2006, with all three indexes touching another round of record highs. Tech stocks like Apple (AAPL) and Cisco Systems (CSCO) were amon...Read More

TORONTO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index ended lower on Friday, pressured by losses among natural resource stocks as prices for oil, gold, copper and other metals fell.The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index unofficially closed down 63.50 points, or 0.39 percent, at 16,349.44. It added 0.9 percent over the holiday-shortened week. (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; editing b...Read More

Jeff Reeves says this year is increasingly shaping up to look like a breakout year for the precious metal.Read full newsRead More

Friday Night Inc. Issues Interest Payment to Debenture HoldersVancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Friday Night Inc. (Friday Night) (CSE: TGIF)(FWB: 1QF) (OTC: TGIFF) announces that the Company has issued shares in payment of interest to debenture holders.The Company announced today t...Read full newsRead More

NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq notched their best weekly gains in more than a year on Friday as technology stocks helped lift major indexes to record highs.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 220.74 points, or 0.88 percent, to 25,295.87, the S&P 500 gained 19.08 points, or 0.70 percent, to 2,743.07 and the Nasdaq Composite added 58.64 points, or 0.83 percent, to 7,136...Read More

ALL TIMES IN EST/GMT -------------------------------------------------------1100/1600: The USDA releases weekly U.S. export inspections for grains, oilseeds; issues monthly Livestock and Meat International Trade data.1100/1600: The Treasury Dept. announces weekly sale of 4-week bills.1130/1630: The Treasury Dept holds weekly sale of 3-, 6-month bills.1500/2000: The Federal Reserve issues Consumer...Read More

Keller PLC (LON:KLR) was a strong mid cap gainer in late afternoon trading, up 6.9% to 1,025p as the ground engineering specialist announced that it is in talks to buy US-based geotechnical contracting company Moretrench, and also said US tax changes will benefit its future after tax earnings.The FTSE 250 listed firm said the enlarged group will represent "by far the most capable geotechnical solu...Read More

* U.S. employment number weaker than expected* Wage growth a positive sign for the U.S. labor market* Markets still see Fed raising rates this year (Adds fresh analyst comment, updates, prices, table)By Gertrude Chavez-DreyfussNEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The dollar gained on Friday after a brief dip as investors reckoned a weaker-than-expected U.S. December non-farm payrolls report would not deter...Read More

NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Speculators raised net short U.S. dollar bets, pushing them to their highest level since mid-December, according to calculations by Reuters and Commodity Futures Trading Commission data released on Friday.The value of the net short dollar positions, derived from net positions of International Monetary Market speculators in the yen, euro, British pound, Swiss franc and C...Read More

By Alastair SharpTORONTO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A small Canadian stock exchange said on Friday it has asked marijuana companies to provide details on risks they face from any U.S. operations in the wake of a Trump administration move to boost enforcement of anti-cannabis laws.The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday rescinded an Obama-era policy that had eased enforcement of federal marijuana laws in s...Read More

Although this year's Santa Claus rally was smaller than normal, stocks still made plenty of noise, with major U.S. equity benchmarks surging to record levels despite President Trump going nuclear on Twitter. In fact, this domestic strength helped fuel a global stock market rally. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are both pacing for their best weekly performances in over a year,...Read More

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Jerome Powell, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. central bank starting next month, backed the Federal Reserve’s third bond-buying program only reluctantly, transcripts released on Friday show.“I’m supporting (the decision) with a certain lack of enthusiasm, and I am somewhat uncomfortable with the road that we are on,”...Read More