Oil prices fell below $71 (U.S.) a barrel yesterday ahead of this week's U.S. consumer spending data that could shed light on the strength of the economic recovery. Benchmark crude for September delivery fell 33 cents to settle at $70.60 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

LONDON - Gold prices held near $955 (U.S.) an ounce in Europe on Monday as the U.S. dollar steadied against the euro after the previous session's rally, with a dearth of demand for physical bullion limiting fresh price gains.

Among other precious metals, silver was at $14.48 an ounce against $14.59, tracking gold. Platinum was at $1,247 an ounce against $1,261.50, while palladium was flat at $273.

CLOSING PRICES (SPOT)

Nickel US$/lb 9.13 0.26

Copper US$/lb 2.78 -0.01

Gold US$/troy ounce 946.00 -8.75

Silver US$/troy ounce 14.39 -0.22

Lead US$/lb 0.84 -0.01

Zinc US$/lb 0.83 -0.02

Aluminum US$/lb 0.88 -0.02

Oil West Texas US$/bbl 70.60 -1.29

Nat Gas Henry Hub US$ mmbtu 3.55 -0.02

Nat.Gas AECO C C$/gigajoule 3.04 -0.18

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24 Hour Base Metals