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Europe midday: Stocks lower after Eurozone inflation fell more than expected
European stocks were trading lower on Friday after data revealed that eurozone inflation fell more than expected in March.
Week ahead: US non-farm payrolls, Federal Reserve in focus
The US will likely continue to be in the spotlight over the coming week, although this time around investors' attention will be more evenly split between the incoming economic data and the ebb and flow of speeches and reports concerning the US central bank.
FX round-up: Sterling battles to a higher Friday close, but its outlook remains bearish
Sterling battled its way to a higher close on most major crosses in a Friday session rich with UK, US and European economic data, but the outlook for the British currency is bearish.
Europe close: Stocks end quarter with slight gains
European stocks finished the quarter on a positive note amid softer than expected Eurozone inflation data for the month of March.
Prudential, Blackrock win battle for £11.8bn Bradford & Bingley loan book
The government has agreed to sell a portfolio of Bradford & Bingley buy-to-let mortgages to Prudential and Blackstone Group for £11. 8bn.
Sturgeon says 'no rational reason' for UK to block second referendum
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there was "no rational reason" for the UK government to block a second Scottish independence referendum.
Two more rate hikes in 2017 probably reasonable, Fed's Dudley says
A top US rate-setter said the exact number of interest rate hikes that lay ahead in 2017 would depend on the economy's performance, although two more was probably about right.
Google paid £36.4m tax in UK in 2016
US internet giant Google coughed up £36. 4m in taxes in the UK last year, according to a statement from its parent company Alphabet.
Tillerson: NATO 'fundamental' in countering Russian aggression
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has spoken at his first NATO meeting, affirming the superpower’s commitment to the alliance and speaking of its key role in addressing aggression from Russia.
London close: FTSE ends Friday with a whimper, but rises overall in Q1
Shares in London ended Friday with a whimper, although both the FTSE 100 and 250 closed out the first quarter of 2017 higher than end the year that was 2016.
US open: Stocks little changed as inflation hits Fed target
US stocks were little changed on Friday after data revealed that inflation hit the Federal Reserve’s target for the first time in nearly five years.
Commodities: Crude ends Q1 2017 well down as global glut continues
Crude-oil futures are a little lower on Friday afternoon, also ending the first quarter of 2017 some distance below where they began as the black liquid's global glut continues.
UK union body warns Brexit repeal hands workers' rights to judges
The UK government's plans to transfer EU law into British statute after Brexit would hand power to change workers' rights to judges rather than parliament, the Trades Union Congress warned.
Sky acquires YouTube video specialist
Sky on Friday acquired social media video content producer Diagonal View to help the broadcaster engage with younger audiences and produce "brand-safe digital opportunities" for advertisers.
FTSE 250 movers: Investec plunges on South Africa woes; Shawbrook rejection pleases
The South African political crisis worked its way into the FTSE 250 on Friday as Investec shares led the fallers list, down a hefty 9%.
St.Louis Fed chief argues for balance sheet normalisation
St. Louis Fed chief James Bullard argued in favour of getting the ball rolling on balance sheet normalisation in 2017.
Disaster looming for railways as Network Rail faces cash crisis
Britain’s railways were on the brink of disaster, a leaked document reportedly revealed on Friday, with some of the largest spending cutbacks since the global financial crisis to be inflicted on the industry.
Worrying signs for UK as services output and consumer savings ratio fall
Further cracks appeared in the UK economy on Friday as data showed the key services sector declined and the savings ratio fell to the lowest on record, which coming amid a squeeze on real wages from rising inflation and stagnating earnings is likely to hit national growth and keep a lid on interest rates for a while yet.
US personal income and spending beat forecasts, inflation slightly higher
Americans continued spending at a steady clip in February, even as they put a little bit more aside for a rainy day, amid slightly higher price pressures.