MARKETS

Sterling remains above $1.30 for only the second time since September 2016 as dollar struggles.

US President Donald Trump's dismissal of FBI head James Comey and the Iranian elections weighed on investor sentiments.

Latest economic data helped prop up the market from yesterday's worst daily slump since September.

Brent, WTI futures ticked higher as the market soaked in near-certainty of fresh output cuts by major oil exporters.

Uptick in yellow metal's price and cryptocurrency's rise have started daft comparisons.

London market tumbles after hitting an all-time high earlier this week.

Dollar loses all post-election's gains in two sessions amid Trump's turmoil.

The Nikkei fell by 1.40% despite the Cabinet Office's announcement of 0.5% GDP growth during Q1 2017.

The Dow Jones shed more than 370 points for its steepest daily decline since September.

US political uncertainty sent gold prices higher in the face of a weaker dollar.

Sterling has not climbed above $1.30 since September 2016 but data could see it breach barrier.

Government makes £900m from Lloyds rescue as the banking group passes back fully into private ownership.

Japanese core machinery data fell short of expectations while US Brent crude supply undermines OPEC strategy.

Many money managers were withdrawing bets on higher oil prices before Saudi-Russian announcement reignited interest.

Boost from higher than expected inflation proves to be short lived as sterling falls below €1.17.

Top flight shares make gains despite the cost of living rising to its highest rate since 2013.

Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rises 0.2% to 19,902.58 points.

The Dow Jones also ended higher, gaining 85.33 points to settle at 20,981.94.

Investors will analyse inflation data, as well as reports on the labour market and retail sales this week.

Shares lift as Saudi Arabia and Russia agree to extend an agreement to cut oil output for a further nine months.

Major oil producers pledge to do "whatever it takes" to cut production to curb current oil glut.

Oil prices rise after Saudi Arabia and Russia say they will extend crude production cuts until March 2018.

Several Opec ministers and Russia came out in favour of extending production cuts beyond June.

US markets continue largely to ignore turmoil on the political scene.

The US president claims to be pro oil - yet his criticism of free-trade agreements dents confidence in a cross-border industry.

A weaker pound also attracted traders to the international nature of firms on the index.

Bank of England cut its growth forecast for the UK economy from 2% to 1.9% on Thursday.

Nikkei 225 share average down by 0.4% at 19,890.77 points.

Baker & McKenzie expert says industry's adoption of Blockchain adds value into supply chain.