SYDNEY (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar was subdued on Friday ahead of key retail sales for February which could show consumer spending taking a hit and hurting overall prospects of a durable economic recovery.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global stocks rebounded and oil edged higher on Thursday on renewed optimism over the U.S. economy, overcoming a scare that interest rates may be heading higher because of an inflation spike in China.

SANTIAGO/TALCAHUANO (Reuters) - Chile's mining and refinery sectors escaped damage on Thursday as a series of powerful aftershocks rocked the world's largest copper producer in the wake of one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The S&P 500 hit a 17-month closing high as rising bank shares led a late rally that lifted stocks on Thursday, more than offsetting worries China may move to cool its overheating economy.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Gold prices ended flat on Thursday as possible monetary tightening by China and lingering currency volatility kept bullion investors on the sidelines.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil settled nearly unchanged above $82 a barrel on Thursday amid uncertainty about whether China will tighten monetary policy, which could dent energy demand in the world's second-largest oil consumer.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The window of opportunity is closing for boutique bond trading firms to make a killing from market turmoil as big Wall Street banks regain their footing and rehire staff.

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares slipped from a seven-week high to end lower on Thursday as economic numbers failed to impress investors and a spike in Chinese inflation raised the prospects of interest rate hikes in the country.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top share index closed 0.4 percent lower on Thursday, pressured by miners and banks after data revived concerns about monetary tightening in China, while buyers came in for general retailers.

LONDON (Reuters) - Some of the boldest speculative oil traders at banks and hedge funds are betting on a return of gasoline's strength ahead of peak summer demand, bringing an early shift to summer from winter to the oil market.