In European Equity Markets indices closed higher on Friday, as investors monitored another batch of corporate earnings. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed 0.2 percent higher, with most sectors and major bourses in positive territory. Europe’s technology stocks led the gains, up 0.8 percent amid earnings news. Consultancy giant Capgemini was the top sectoral performer after it reported upbeat first-quarter figures. Shares of Capgemini were up more than more than 6.6 percent on the news. Electrolux posted a surprise fall in first-quarter core operating profit on Friday. Shares of Europe’s largest home appliances maker were off more than 11 percent.

 
In Currency Markets the US dollar held steady on Friday despite a government report showing slower first-quarter economic growth, with the currency on track to end its strongest week since November 2016, having gained 1.6 percent. Sterling was the biggest loser among major currencies on Friday as weaker-than-expected first-quarter growth numbers further whittled away at the likelihood of a rate hike next month. The pound fell as low as $1.375 against the dollar, more than 1 percent weaker, after data showed Britain’s economy grew at its slowest pace since the fourth quarter of 2012. The Japanese yen was little changed after the central bank’s policy decision to keep its settings unchanged.

In Commodities Markets oil prices slipped on Friday, with Brent on track for its third week of gains amid supply concerns should the United States reimpose sanctions on Iran. Brent crude futures fell 20 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $74.54 a barrel. This month, the global benchmark hit highs above $75, a level last seen in late 2014. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 30 cents to $67.89 a barrel, a 0.4 percent loss. Brent was on track for a weekly gain of about 0.7 percent, while WTI was set for a weekly loss of about 0.7 percent. Brent has also risen by around 5 percent this month. The gains came despite a higher dollar which is at its strongest since Jan. 11 against a basket of currencies.

In US Equity Markets Amazon and Microsoft pushed the Nasdaq higher on Friday, but weak reports from Exxon and other energy companies capped gains on the S&P 500 and the Dow index. Amazon.com Inc jumped 7.9 percent to a record high of $1,638.10 after the world’s largest online retailer more than doubled its profit and forecast strong spring results. Microsoft Corp rose 1.5 percent after topping Wall Street forecasts for profit, while Intel gained 2.2 percent as strength in its data center business drove a profit beat. The S&P 500 was up 0.15 percent, at 2,670.96 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.41 percent, at 7,147.82.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields trimmed their earlier fall on Friday with the 10-year yield remaining below 3 percent following the government’s reading of a stronger-than-forecast 2.3 percent increase in economic growth in the first quarter. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was down 0.9 basis point at 2.981 percent, while two-year note yield was 0.8 basis point higher at 2.496 percent. Euro zone bonds yields fell on Friday as a cautious European Central Bank helped markets regain their footing after a U.S.-led sell off earlier in the week. Germany’s 10-year Bund yield hit a one-week low of 0.564 percent, below six-week highs hit earlier this week at 0.655 percent.