1.   STOCK PRICES FALL ON RETAIL DROP Stock prices fell as retail issues slid after a report that sales growth had slowed.

2.   Gold also prices fell.

3.   On the stock market, prices fell on rumors that a Japanese credit bank was facing serious financial troubles.

4.   But prices quickly fell when Saudi Arabia and other producers maximised output.

5.   On the other hand, prices fell for nonferrous metals, textile products and electronics machinery, it said.