LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar extended losses on Friday, hitting its weakest since mid-February, helping the euro to a one-month high versus the U.S. currency.

BEIJING (Reuters) - The yuan should remain stable even as disputes about the exchange rate grow increasingly sharp, China's customs administration said on Friday.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average hit its highest close in seven weeks on Friday, with exporters helped by speculation that the yen may weaken if the Bank of Japan takes additional steps to ease monetary policy next week.

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.

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.