11.   Observers attributed the firmer prices to growing demand from chocolate makers.

12.   Other factors that boosted Randgold were a firmer gold price, production increases, cost-cutting and halting mining in unprofitable areas, the company said.

13.   The company said it was positioned benefit from the firmer prices flowing from agreed output cuts introduced by world producers earlier in the year.

14.   The mark lifted slightly against the main European currencies on Tuesday morning, rising in the wake of firmer prices on the German futures market.