Shares in Fresnillo fell as much as 10 percent after the world's biggest silver producer raised 905 million pounds ($1.77 billion) in a London flotation that was priced at the bottom of the expected range.

Chief executives from around Europe discussed their companies' earnings, opportunities and the challenges they face in 2008 with CNBC Europe Tuesday.

First came copper, then oil, wheat, fertilizer and coal. Now the surging global economy is clamoring for yet another commodity: rusting cars, refrigerators and washing machines.

Investors wondering whether the agricultural commodities bubble has burst will get some important clues in next week's annual crop plantings report, considered a bellwether for the direction of farming activity for the year.

A floor trader who served on the board of the New York Mercantile Exchange agreed to serve five months in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to fraud and evidence tampering related to commodities trading.

A look at the data and happenings that shaped the first quarter for European businesses and markets.

Investors wondering whether the agricultural commodities bubble has burst will get some important clues in next week's annual crop plantings report, considered a bellwether for the direction of farming activity for the year.

The specter of a global downturn is keeping commodity prices in flux but how to trade on the volatility depends on the direction of the US dollar.

Investors wondering whether the agricultural commodities bubble has burst will get some important clues in next week's annual crop plantings report, considered a bellwether for the direction of farming activity for the year.

Volatility is set to continue in major European stock markets when trading resumes on Tuesday after the Easter holiday, analysts told CNBC.com.

European stocks closed in the red Thursday, with investors eager to close positions ahead of the long Easter weekend and after a profit warning from Credit Suisse.

Gold miner Lihir Gold made a $1 billion friendly takeover offer for smaller West African gold miner Equigold, looking to expand outside its base in Papua New Guinea. 

Most commodities tumbled Monday as investors sold assets ranging from oil to coffee to grains to cover deepening losses in stocks and bonds. But gold ended slightly higher, as safe-haven buying kept it above the key $1,000 level

Gold pared most of its gains Monday, as investors took profits from a rally to record highs above $1,030 and a sharp drop in oil prices lowered the metal's appeal as an inflation-hedge.

Spot gold steadied on Friday and held within sight of the $1,000-an-ounce barrier broken on the futures market after the dollar hit a record low against the euro, boosting the metal's appeal as an alternative investment.