MW: Oil trims loss, gold steady after consumer gauge
By Claudia Assis
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Crude-oil futures trimmed their losses and gold futures held steady after a gauge of consumer confidence rose to 53.5 in August but consumers remained "aprehensive," the Conference Board reported Tuesday. Crude oil for October delivery retreated 43 cents, or 0.6%, to $74.29 a barrel. Gold for December delivery added $8, or 0.7%, to $1,247.30 an ounce. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a read of 50 for the consumer sentiment index in August. The July consumer confidence index was revised upward to 51.
