Stocks are falling in early morning trading following the lead of overseas markets and as the dollar strengthened.

The next meeting of the Group of Seven finance ministers and central bankers will be held in the remote Canadian Arctic town of Iqaluit in February.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development doubled its growth forecast for the leading developed economies next year and predicted a further acceleration in 2011 as China and other emerging countries power a global recovery.

The U.S., China and other major economies may more than double stimulus spending on clean energy next year after holding back most of the money promised for projects, an analyst said.

Gold fell for the first time in five days in London as a stronger dollar curbed the metal's appeal as an alternative investment, spurring sales of bullion after its rally to a record.

The European single currency dropped under 1.49 dollars on Thursday as disappointing U.S. economic data prompted renewed caution among investors, reducing demand for risky assets, analysts said.

Crude oil fell for the first time in four days as the dollar gained against the euro, dulling the appeal of commodities as a currency hedge.

Global semiconductor sales will probably rise more than expected next year, chip industry association WSTS Inc. said Tuesday.

Worldwide semiconductor revenue is expected to decline by more than 11 percent in 2009 over last year, less than previously forecast, market research firm Gartner said Monday.

Gold climbed to a record in London and New York as investors bought the precious metal as an alternative to a weaker dollar. Silver and platinum rose to the highest prices in at least 14 months.