CARACAS, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Venezuela on Thursday minimized the compensation it owes Exxon Mobil Corp for an oil project, the latest volley in hard-ball negotiations that have prompted a threat to stop sending America oil. Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said a crude project seized from Exxon was worth less than $1.2 billion -- a fraction of the $12 billion in Venezuelan assets frozen by court orders the U.S. giant won last week.
NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - March natural gas futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange hit a 14-month spot chart high in midday trade Thursday, as firmer cash and crude oil prices mixed with a supportive government weekly inventory report, traders said.
LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Aluminium jumped 5 percent to its highest level since July 2007, driven by fears of reduced supply owing to power shortages in South Africa and China. "This move is extremely significant, as it could tilt (aluminium's) supply demand balance from a modest 400,000 tons surplus to a million ton deficit," said analyst Edward Meir at MF Global.
NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Want a cheap date? Try flowers, because the sweet and shiny stuff of romance is getting expensive. Platinum prices set a new record above $2,000 an ounce on Thursday. Gold costs more than $900 an ounce, Cocoa is above $2,500 a tonne, and if you want to bake your dearest a cake, flour wheat is at a record -- a recipe for the most expensive Valentine's Day ever. |
