WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is lower but is trading within a tight range ahead of the release of US employment figures.
At 0630 AEST on Friday, the local currency was trading at 92.74 US cents, down from 92.95 cents on Thursday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher after a mixed performance on Wall Street ahead of key US jobs figures.
At 0645 AEST on Friday, the June share price index futures contract was up 13 points at 5,447.
ELSEWHERE:
WASHINGTON - US construction spending rose slightly in March, fuelled by increases for apartments, single-family homes, factories, health care centres and office projects.
WASHINGTON - New claims for US unemployment insurance benefits rose last week but remained on a downward trend as the job market slowly improves, government data shows.
WASHINGTON - US consumer spending jumped 0.9 per cent in March, the largest increase in nearly five years, adding evidence the economy is rebounding from a deep winter freeze, official data shows.
LISBON - Portugal's prime minister has given his clearest indication yet that the country will follow Ireland's example by exiting its 78-billion-euros ($A117-billion) international bailout without a credit lifeline.
NEW YORK - MasterCard's net income climbed 14 per cent in the first quarter, as increased spending by cardholders worldwide helped boost revenue.
NEW YORK - ExxonMobil has reported slightly lower profits, as weak refining margins offset the benefit of higher natural gas prices in the US that boosted earnings from petroleum production.
NEW YORK - Viacom says its second-quarter profit has risen four per cent, boosted by strong results at its TV networks that offset a decline at its movie-making business.
WASHINGTON - US telecoms giant AT&T has offered to buy satellite TV firm DirecTV, in the latest move for consolidation in the television industry, the Wall Street Journal says.
NEW YORK - Ford Motor has tapped Mark Fields as chief executive, accelerating a leadership transition as it aims to capitalise on momentum from a turnaround chartered by outgoing chief Alan Mulally.
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