Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Crude oil started the week falling to four-week lows, below USD 75 a barrel, as the equity markets slumped.

Throughout the last week, oil prices stayed below US$ 75 a barrel on continued market unease over possible tighter monetary policy in China, a US proposal to tighten bank trading rules, concerns about economic recovery in the US after weak US home sales data and an ongoing weak demand in the US, the world’s largest oil consumer.

Gold prices went through minor fluctuations throughout the week. Towards the end of the week, gold steadied around US$ 1,090 an ounce level after falling previously when the Federal Reserve voiced cautious optimism on the US economy.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-30January10-10:31 pm (BST)