MARKETS

Australia's trimmed mean CPI rose unexpectedly in Q1.

Justice Department seeks extradition of trader who allegedly made $40m from market manipulation.

Bad day on the footsie for AB Foods, which reported a dramatic collapse in profits.

Political uncertainty weighs on pound which is hovering near a five-year low vs dollar.

Primark owner AB Foods hit by commodities slump as profits halve.

Tax rules, dollar strength, Daiichi pullout, month-end oil buying of dollars, all weigh on rupee.

Templeton Emerging Markets Group boss warns corporate earnings in the US are likely to disappoint.

The pair is now not far away from the 13 April low of 1.0520 beyond which it will be at its lowest since mid-March.

China's government acted to ease restrictions on the amount of cash reserves its banks must hold.

Waste that could have been recovered and recycled was worth $52bn, including 300 tonnes of gold.

AirAsia plans to sell a 30% stake in the Indonesian carrier, Fernandes said at the World Economic Forum in Jakarta.

Rising output from Saudi Arabia and other Opec members, amid the China slowdown, may reverse the rebound in oil prices.

Conservatives to sell billions of pounds of government shares in Lloyds to small investors if they win the upcoming election.

While Opec members led by Saudi Arabia are boosting production, Libya output is also recovering.

Platinum is higher for third straight week while silver is down for third week.

For gold to gain any strong momentum, prices have to break above resistance between $1,221 and $1,225 an ounce.

IMF meeting in Washington against background of Greece debt crisis will also be in focus.

The index of leading shares closed Friday at 6,994.63, down 65.82 points (-0.93%)

Singapore trade and Canadian inflation figures better than expected but core CPI from US supports greenback.

Dollar weakness and strong job market figures help pound rally

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group to raise CN¥ 5.8bn from the sale of 246.8 million shares to eight investors.

Brent crude for spot delivery has fallen off a four-month high, while gold has reversed much of the losses suffered earlier this week.

Data and official comments on Thursday were mixed but tilted to the dovish side.

Federal Reserve officials play down possibility of a June rate hike.

Front-month Brent crude futures were down 15 cents since their last settlement to $63.83 per barrel.

Footsie reached new high of 1,119.35 but soon sagged below that record level.

Saudi Arabia leads surge in Opec crude oil output in March.

Krone has moved off six-month high against euro and two-month highs against pound and Swedish krona.

Brent crude for spot delivery has risen to four-month high, pushing USD/CAD through a key support.