Reuters

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur Banerjee:

A more dovish-than-expected Federal Reserve meeting and an eye-watering $110 billion share buyback programme from Apple have boosted risk sentiment ahead of the crucial U.S. nonfarm payrolls report later in the day.

But let's be honest - yen remains the talk of the town and with Japan on holiday Friday and Monday, yen bears are nervously looking over their shoulders,... (continue reading...)

By Mathieu Rosemain

PARIS (Reuters) - French bank Societe Generale reported a better-than-expected 22% slide in first-quarter net income on Friday, as profits on equity derivative sales offset more weakness at its retail bank and in fixed-income trading.

France's third-biggest listed lender, whose CEO Slawomir Krupa is seeking to end several years of lackluster performance and trim costs, said group net income over the first three months... (continue reading...)

By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Russia will face consequences for a cyber attack allegedly orchestrated by a group with ties to its military intelligence, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday.

Germany has been among the Western nations providing Ukraine military support in its war with Russia, with President Vladimir Putin saying in December that ties between the two countries stay largely frozen.

In... (continue reading...)

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. job growth probably slowed to a still-solid clip in April, with wages maintaining their steady rise, which would allay fears that the economy was stalling after activity pulled back considerably in the first quarter.

The Labor Department's closely watched employment report on Friday is also expected to show the unemployment rate holding below 4% for the 27th straight month. Labor market... (continue reading...)

By William James

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's opposition Labour Party won a parliamentary seat in northern England on Friday, beating the governing Conservatives in one of a series of votes that will help gauge public opinion ahead of a full national election due this year.

The thumping victory set the tone for what will be a closely watched two days of results from elections for more than 2,000 seats on local authorities across England and a... (continue reading...)