global market, commodity update

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Asian stocks end mixed
HONG KONG (Thomson Financial): Stock markets across Asia ended mixed Thursday, as bargain hunters stepped in after early losses triggered by a slump in commodity prices and Wall Street's decline overnight.
South Korea and Shanghai managed a late turnaround, helped by a technical rebound in select sectors.
The Kospi ended up 1.16 points or 0.1 percent at 1,623.39, reversing early losses after technology and export stocks recovered.
The Shanghai Composite index also rebounded from heavy losses, closing up 1.13 percent at 3,804.05, off an intraday low of 3,516.33. Airlines and steelmakers led the gains on the Shanghai market.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index trimmed losses in late trade as investors bought back shares ahead of the long weekend. The Hong Kong market will be closed on Friday and Monday for the Easter holiday. The index closed down 3.5 percent at 21,108.22.
In Singapore, the benchmark Straits Times index closed 0.3 percent lower at 2,824.91, but off the day's low of 2,772.91.

Gold, oil prices continue to tumble
LONDON (Reuters): Commodity prices tumbled across the board on Thursday as investors retreated into cash, taking profits after a series of record peaks this year.
Gold prices fell to a one-month low as traders, eyeing a firmer dollar, took their gains to pay for losses in other markets, while oil and industrial metals fell on worries over the outlook for demand.
Spot gold slipped to $904.65 a troy ounce, a level last seen on Feb. 18, a drop of more than $100 since the precious metal hit a record high of $1,030.80 on Monday.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for May delivery fell a hefty 2.73 dollars to 99.81 dollars per barrel from its close of 102.54 dollars during floor trading in the US Wednesday.
World oil prices fell below 100 dollars a barrel in late Asian trade Thursday, but are expected to remain volatile as investors continue to assess the US economy, dealers said.
Meanwhile, the dollar has gained nearly three per cent against the euro since Tuesday. The dollar's retreat from all-time lows against the euro has surprised some looking for levels beyond $1.60 against the euro.
Copper futures in London hit a five-week low of $7,648 a ton, a loss of more than 13 percent since the metal hit an all-time high of $8,820 on March 6.