(Updates at market close) * TSX ends down 0.6%, at 30,458.80 * Financials decline 1.7% * Energy loses 1.9% as oil settles 1.4% lower * Materials group rises 1.9% as gold hits a record high By Ragini Mathur and Fergal Smith TORONTO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index pulled back on Thursday from a record high as declines...

* Dollar index set for biggest weekly drop in three months * Investors turn to gold, cryptocurrency as dollar weakens * Fed's Beige Book highlights rising layoffs, reduced spending * Fed officials support more rate cuts amid economic weakness By Rocky Swift TOKYO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - The dollar remained on the back foot on Friday as global trade frictions...

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian shares tracked Wall Street lower, bonds extended gains and gold hit a fresh record on Friday, with signs of credit stress at U.S. regional banks putting investors on edge. Overnight, Zions sank 13% after disclosing it would take a $50 million loss in the third quarter on two loans from its California division. Western Alliance's stock slumped...

Oct 17 (Reuters) - Gold extended its record-breaking rally on Friday, climbing above $4,300, poised for their best weekly performance in 17 years, as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions fuelled market uncertainty, with U.S. rate cut hopes adding to the momentum. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold rose 0.9% to $4,364.79 per ounce, as of 0040 GMT, after reaching a record high of...