On Thursday, the top U.S. trade official poured cold water on the prospect of an imminent breakthrough in talks to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). "It's a grind higher in yields," said Larry Milstein, head of government and agency trading at R.W. "The dollar index rose 0.22 percent.Oil prices fell, but Brent crude marked a sixth straight week of gains, boosted by plummeting Venezuelan production, strong global demand and looming U.S. sanctions on Iran. The benchmark on Thursday broke through $80 for the first time since November 2014.U.S. crude settled down 0.3 percent at $71.28 a barrel, while Brent settled at $78.51, down 1 percent.

Source: The Star May 19, 2018 00:45 UTC