Gold held steady on Friday above a five-week low touched earlier this week, supported by technicals, but the metal was still on track for a third weekly fall. * Spot gold (XAU=) was nearly unchanged at $1,250.70 per ounce at 0053 GMT. * U.S. gold futures (GCcv1) for August delivery gained 0.2 percent
Asian shares baulked at the starting gate on Friday but remained on track for a weekly gain, while crude oil prices pulled away from this week's 10-month lows. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was flat in early trade, and up 0.4 percent for the week.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc's (BRKa.N) commitment to provide financing to Home Capital Group Inc (HCG.TO), Canada's largest nonbank lender, marks the billionaire's latest effort to shore up a company in desperate need of cash, or at least his full-throated support. "It's a typical Buffett