Nov. 1 (Bloomberg) -- The following are the top stories on metals, agriculture and shipping. ECONOMIC EVENTS: *T Forecast Prior Time (N.Y.) ISM Manufacturing OCT 54.0 54.4 10:00 ISM Prices Paid OCT 70.0 70.5 10:00 Construction Spending MoM SEP -0.5% 0.4% 10:00 USDA Grain Export Inspections OCT 28 11:00 USDA Crop-Progress Report OCT 28 16:00 METALS PRICES: ($/ton) Last % Chg RSI Copper 8,294 +1.1 54 Aluminum 2,390 +2.0 57 Zinc 2,463 +1.6 57 Lead 2,483 +1.4 58 Nickel 23,275 +1.2 49 Tin 25,900 +1.2 54 OTHER MARKETS: Last % Chg % YTD U.S. Dollar Index 77.073 +0.0 +1.0 Crude Oil $82.02 +0.7 +6.5 Gold $1,359.8 +0.0 +30 MSCI World Index 1,223.48 +0.1 +11 *T TOP STORY: Copper Gains as Chinese Manufacturing Accelerates, Dollar Slumps Copper rose in London as manufacturing accelerated in China, the world's biggest consumer of the metal. COMMODITY EXCLUSIVES: Putin Losing Yield Advantage as Recovery Slows: Russia Credit Russia is losing its borrowing cost advantage over most developing nations as the economy recovers slower than the government predicted and a 57 percent increase in bond sales overwhelms demand. BASF Sees 2011 Sales, Profit Extending Record on Chinese Growth BASF SE will next year generate sales and profit that top the record levels predicted for 2010, buoyed by growth in China as well as surging demand for plastics, board member Martin Brudermueller said in an interview. Food Inflation Rising as Cooking Oil to Catch Grain (Update2) Cooking oils, left behind in this year's surge in agriculture prices, are poised to catch up with grains as record demand cuts stockpiles by the most in 17 years. Rabobank Hires F.O. Licht Grains Analyst for Agriculture Team Rabobank Groep hired Keith Flury, a grains analyst at F.O. Licht, for agriculture research in London. Pacific Basin Sees 'High Pace' Bulk-Shipping Growth (Update2) Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd., Hong Kong's largest operator of dry-bulk vessels, said the market will continue expanding at a "relatively high pace" as growth in China and the rest of Asia stokes demand for steel. Madagascar Awards Contract to Curb Smuggling of Tortoises, Gold Security at Madagascar's eight international airports will be managed by a private company for the first time, as the country seeks to curb smuggling of goods ranging from tortoises to gold and precious stones. India May Lift Curbs on Shipyards Bidding for Tankers (Update1) India may lift restrictions on local shipbuilders bidding for state contracts to make container ships and oil tankers to help them compete with Korean and Chinese yards, an official with direct knowledge of the matter said. INDUSTRIAL METALS: National Aluminium Rises in Mumbai on Higher Prices, Output National Aluminium Co., India's second-biggest producer of the metal, rose in Mumbai trading today after reporting a 41 percent increase in second-quarter profit on higher prices and production of the lightweight metal. Korea Zinc Shares Rise After Silver Gains to More Than $25 Korea Zinc Co., which also produces silver, advanced the most in almost four weeks in Seoul trading after silver surged to more than $25 an ounce for the first time in three decades. Korea Zinc gained 3.7 percent to 294,000 won as of 11:39 a.m. on the Korea Exchange, headed for the biggest gain since Oct. 6. The benchmark Kospi stock index climbed 1 percent. MINING: Harmony Seeks More Gold Outside South Africa as Costs Climb Harmony Gold Mining Ltd., Africa's third-largest producer of the metal, will boost output outside of South Africa because of rising costs and labor-intensive production in the country's underground mines. Anglo Platinum Shares Fall After Company Says it Ended Talks Anglo Platinum Ltd. shares fell 11.50 rand, or 1.7 percent, to 681.50 rand as of 9:42 a.m. in Johannesburg after the company said it ended unspecified talks that it announced on Oct. 29. Harmony Expects Gold to Trade Around $1,500 Next Year (Update1) Harmony Gold Mining Ltd., Africa's third-largest producer of the metal, said it expects gold to trade at about $1,500 in the next year, 26 percent higher than the average price so far in 2010. PRECIOUS METALS: Gold Gains on Weakening Dollar; Silver Advances to 30-Year High

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