Currencies
FX round-up: Sterling traders unnerved by UK retail sales data as dollar resurgent
Sterling traders were unnerved on Friday by worse than expected UK retail sales data, which saw the British currency lower on most key crosses as the US dollar resumed resurgent.
London close: FTSE mixed as Unilever flies after rebuffed Kraft Heinz bid
London stocks closed mixed after a Friday session that saw blue-chip consumer goods giant Unilever fly higher after it slapped away a $143bn offer from Kraft Heinz, which has indicated it will return to the table.
Commodities: Crude eases as traders look to looming rig-count data
Crude futures have eased on Friday as traders look to rig-count data out tonight, ahead of the Presidents Day long weekend in the US.
French left wing candidates mull joint effort as bonds drop
France's presidential election took a further twist on Friday, after left wing candidates Benoit Hamon and Jean-Luc Melenchon said they were discussing a merger in order to combat the National Front's Marine Le Pen.
Britons urged to spend £1 coins before new quids arrive
Government officials have urged those who have traditional round pound coins to spend them ahead of the debut of the new 12-sided coin later this year.
Eurozone construction output dips 0.2% in December
Construction output in the eurozone fell 0. 2% on the month in December compared to a 0. 4% jump in November, according to figures released by Eurostat on Friday.
Euro area investors continue heading for the exits, December current account data shows
The euro area´s current account surplus dipped in December 2016 amid signs of continuing caution towards the single currency bloc on the part of investors.
Trump comes out firing in press conference, says team working like 'fine-tuned machine'
Embattled US President Donald Trump went on the offensive on Thursday against the media in a boisterous return to his election campaign rhetoric, describing his administration as a "fine-tuned machine".