11.   Experts said the Taliban, which profited from the opium crops, instituted the ban to increase prices so that existing stockpiles would rise in value.

12.   Five out of nine analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News expected the American Petroleum Institute to show U.S. crude oil stockpiles rose last week.

13.   Gasoline fell after a report showed U.S. gasoline stockpiles rose unexpectedly last week, reinforcing perceptions that inventories are sufficient for current demand.

14.   Gold rallied on expectations that consumer demand is strong enough to absorb increased supplies, easing concern that stockpiles will rise.

15.   Heating oil stockpiles often rise at this time of year as demand is low and refiners begin to build up stockpiles for next winter.

16.   In addition, a recent surge of oil imports to the U.S. could cause refinery stockpiles to rise this week, analyst said.

17.   In NEW YORK, copper fell after London Metal Exchange stockpiles rose for a second day, signaling that industrial demand may be entering a seasonal decline.

18.   In NEW YORK, copper fell after warehouse stockpiles rose for a second week amid steady industrial demand.

19.   Natural gas posted its largest drop in two weeks after an industry report showed stockpiles rose last week despite the first cold weather of the season.

20.   Other warehouse stockpiles are also rising.