Chile led the decliners in the region with a loss of 0.22% followed by losses in Argentina of 0.05%.

Brazil led the gainers in 2007 in the region with a rise of 44% followed by 13% rise in Chile and 12% rise in Mexico.


Asian Markets

In Hong Kong Hang Seng index closed lower 673.24 or 2.44% to 26,887.28, in Australia ASX 200 closed decreased 61.50 or 0.96% to close 6,372.60. Market of Tokyo was closed today.

In South Korea Kospi Index close at decreased 0.72 or 0.04% to close at 1,852.73, in Thailand SET index closed lower 8.13 or 1.32% to 608.77, and Indonesia JSE Index edged decreased 16.44 or 0.60% to 2,715.06. Sensex index in India lower 120.10 or 0.59% to 20,345.20.

China led the region in 2007 with a rise of 152% followed by 52% rise in Indonesia, 47% increase in India, 39% gain in Hong Kong, 14% increase in Singapore, and 11.8% advance in Australia.

Bond Yields decreased on 10-year U.S. bonds to 3.890% and 30-year bonds increased to 4.36%.

Commodities, Metals, and Currencies

Crude oil fell $0.490 to close at $99.130 per barrel for a front month contract, natural gas decreased 17 cents to $7.684 per mBtu, and gasoline futures decreased 2.90 cents to close at 253.98 cents per gallon.

Crude oil for the year rose 57% in 2007.

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) dropped by 4.0 million barrels compared to the previous week. At 289.6 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are in the lower half of the average range for this time of year.

Total motor gasoline inventories increased by 1.9 million barrels last week, but are in the lower half of the average range. Both finished gasoline inventories and gasoline blending components inventories increased last week.

Distillate fuel inventories increased by 0.6 million barrels, and are near the lower limit of the average range for this time of year. Propane/propylene inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels last week.

Total commercial petroleum inventories decreased by 7.3 million barrels last week, and are in the bottom half of the average range for this time of year.


Gold advanced $9.10 in New York trading to close at $869.00 per ounce, silver closed up 21.00 cents to $15.50 per ounce, and copper for front month delivery increased 12.40 cents to 318.80 per pound and in London copper futures increased $75.00 to $6,720.50.

Gold in 2007 rose 31%, its best annual rise in twenty eight years.

Dollar edged lower against euro to $1.4752 and lower to 109.290 yen. For the 2007 dollar lost 11.8% against euro.