declines

Japan posted a second trade deficit in three months, showing that the country's mighty export machine is suffering as demand for autos and electronic gadgets declines amid a sharp global downturn.

New York gold futures declined 1.3 percent on Tuesday. The yellow metal became less attractive to investors as a hedge against inflation given lower than expected U.S. producer prices and a sharp decline in Britain's inflation.

Silver and platinum futures gained 2.4 percent and 2.0 percent respectively.

Asian stocks markets had some of their steepest declines this month, amid fresh worries about the state of the U.S. and Chinese economies, and poor corporate news out of the United States.

First revised forecast since 9/11 attacks sputs Total Spot Revenue declines at 7% to 11%.

Wall Street erased an early rally and sank Monday as enthusiasm fizzled about a $586 billion Chinese stimulus package and gave way to anxiety about how U.S. companies will survive a severe pullback in spending.

Most of the nation’s retailers reported double-digit declines in October sales, underscoring how the financial turmoil has touched all consumers.

Strong gains at cable can't offset big declines in broadcast

Reynolds American Inc. said Wednesday its third-quarter profit dropped 41 percent due to hefty restructuring and trademark charges, but the results topped expectations as the tobacco company used higher prices to offset consumption declines.

The economic downturn is expected to bring declines to one of the industry's strongest categories: Spanish-language television.

Rates on 30-year mortgages, which had been falling for five weeks, jumped sharply this week, reflecting the turbulence in global credit markets.