Eyes on U.S. jobless and retail sales data at 1330 GMT… U.S. crude stockpiles rise more than expected… IEA cuts global oil demand forecast…

The base metals were all red-soaked on Tuesday. Copper fell from the pre-dawn hours to the New York open, rallied back to break-even by late morning, but then slid again to finish at $1.5663/lb., down 4½ cents.

Report: China Exports Likely Down 14%; Whirlpool Sales Sink 76%; Starbucks Adding Value Meals; Chavez: Venezuela Untouched by Crisis; Defaults on Jumbo ARMS Could Double; Satyam to Decide on Action Plan Following Scandal

The base metals were all in positive territory on Friday. Copper started up in the pre-dawn hours and never quit, only just coming off its intraday high late and finishing at $1.5998/lb., up more than 11 cents.

OPEC says willing to cut production further from March…  Impending U.S. stimulus package supportive…  Dismal U.S. jobs data still weighs on sentiment…

The base metals were little changed on Wednesday. Copper held up well through mid-morning, but declined when it counted, slipping to near its pre-dawn intraday low and finishing at $1.4922/lb., down a penny.

The base metals were all in positive territory on Tuesday. Copper was steady through the pre-dawn hours and moved steadily higher through the New York day, just coming off its intraday highs late to finish at $1.5018/lb., up more than 7½ cents.

Gold held below $900 an ounce on Tuesday, giving up some of the previous sessions’ gains, as easing risk aversion dampened interest in the precious metal. Spot gold was quoted at $898.65/900.25 an ounce at 1403 GMT, against $902.65 in New York late on Monday. Earlier it slipped to a low of $891.60 an ounce.

BNP Paribas weighs on the euro…  China and Treasuries…  Euro forming a base?  Gold continues its rally… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Yesterday Brazil’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate from 13.75% to 12.75%, its first rate cut in 16 months and a move to guard the country’s economy from the global financial crisis.