The persistent strength of commodity prices helps to explain why headline inflation rates have been stubbornly high in many countries, despite their struggling economies.

ECONOMIST: Making sense of the fall in commodity prices

But the bigger explanation for the persistent strength of the opposition has nothing to do with the merits of the argument or national debate at all.

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While the stronger greenback recently has been a bearish factor for the gold market, it can be argued the yellow metal has held up surprisingly well given the persistent strength of the dollar.

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Persistent relative strength in emerging economies, especially China, suggests that commodity prices will stay stable or firm.

ECONOMIST: The world economy

Persistent yen strength continued to weigh on Japan's stock market as news of the U.S. Federal Reserve's intent to carry on with its easing measures pulled the dollar lower.

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