1.   A number of merchants have deferred finalising contracts until this week in the hope that nickel prices stabilise.

2.   But in the afternoon, prices stabilised and were traded within a tight range, he added.

3.   Miners themselves do not want toexplore further unless prices stabilise at more attractive levels or theyget land leases at a discount.

4.   Trying to identify the point when the price will stabilise, strengthen and rise again is difficult because the price keeps falling.

5.   Gold prices stabilised this week, after softening the previous week due mainly to a rebound of the yen.

6.   After a drop last week, prices stabilised thanks to increased orders.

7.   Before that, prices had been stabilising.

8.   But as production was re-established in new locations closer to China and Laos and new trafficking routes emerged through these regions, prices stabilised.

9.   But once the news had been clarified, the market was reassured and prices stabilised.

10.   Coffee prices stabilised, after falling last week, as humid weather hit the drought-ridden Brazilian plantations.