Today

News that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree lifting the "state secret" status of platinum group metals sustained buying interest by keeping the metal on investor radar screens. Also take a look at palladium, the bigger mover today.

OPEC secretary-general said it's possible for oil to reach $80. Crude oil ended at another new contract high, with concerns that OPEC is effectively restraining supplies.

The ISM's index of U.S. services increased from 59.2 to 59.8 in February, a bit less than expected.

The Panama Canal is nearing full capacity and should seriously consider expansion to continue to be a major player in world trade, experts and users said.

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 in the latest week to 310,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week average of new claims dropped by 1,500 to 307,000, the lowest since October 2000 The figures were in line with expectations

The Senate on Thursday approved legislation that would stop the USDA from
lifting its ban on Canadian cattle.

U.S. business productivity increased at an annual rate of 2.1% in the fourth quarter. For all of 2004, productivity was up 4.0%, the smallest gain since 2001.

The U.S. Department of Energy said that underground supplies of natural gas were down 107 billion cubic feet last week to 1.613 trillion cubic feet. Supplies are up 35% YoY and up 29% from the five-year average.

An index of services in the U.K. fell from 55.9 to 55.1 in February, weaker than expected.

An index of services in the Euro-zone dropped from 53.4 to 53.0 in February.

Retail sales in Australia were up 0.6% in January, the first gain in four months.