CHINA

We expect the strong export numbers in May to increase international pressure on the currency issue. On the other hand, the weakened euro and domestic wage pressures are likely to limit the size of any appreciation in the near term.

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street on Friday following the previous session's strong gains, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.24 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.19 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.15 percent at 0944 GMT.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner indicated U.S. patience on China's currency policy was wearing thin on Thursday as a key lawmaker warned that he would move soon on legislation that would penalize Chinese goods.

World equities extended their relief rally into a fourth day on Friday on optimism over global economic growth, while the euro steadied as it ran into headwinds above $1.21 after three days of gains.

Asian stocks rose for a fourth day on Friday on optimism that the world economic recovery was on track despite Europe's debt woes, while the euro was steady after a rally the previous day.

World oil prices edged down in Asian trade Friday mainly after yet another Chinese data, industrial output for May, influenced it negatively. Light sweet crude for July delivery was seen trading at $75.19 a barrel at 11.30 a.m Singapore time while Brent crude was at $ 75.05 a barrel in London.

The euro ran into headwinds above $1.21 on Friday, as profit-booking set in when it failed to push through hefty resistance, and investors took a lack of surprises in Chinese data to book gains in the Aussie dollar.

Chinese inflation quickened to a 19-month high in May, but a moderation of growth in factory production and capital spending could further ease worries that the world's third-largest economy runs the risk of boiling over.

U.S. technology companies hope a preliminary World Trade Organization ruling expected on Friday will persuade the European Union to drop tariffs on three products at the center of the dispute.

The Australian Dollar has opened more than one US cent higher today, buoyed by improved investor sentiment on the global economic recovery.

Stocks posted their best day in the last nine on Thursday in response to signs of health in the euro debt market and as investors snapped up energy shares crushed in the previous day's sell-off.

The number of U.S. workers filing claims for jobless aid fell modestly last week as the labor market recovery struggled for momentum, while a slip in exports in April supported views of moderate economic growth.

The number of U.S. workers filing claims for jobless aid fell modestly last week as the labor market recovery struggled for momentum, while a slip in exports in April supported views of moderate economic growth.

China's exports jumped in May, reassuring investors about the economy's strength but putting pressure on U.S. President Barack Obama to placate critics who say Beijing is keeping the yuan unfairly undervalued.

The Dow and S&P climbed more than 2 percent on Thursday, with the Nasdaq not far behind as China's confirmation of strong export data relieved recovery concerns and helped lift the euro.

The euro rose on Thursday for a third straight day as strong demand for Spanish bonds eased concern about the country's ability to finance its debt and a spike in Chinese exports boosted confidence on global growth.

The European Central Bank, Germany's constitutional court and China's pension fund gave a triple boost to efforts to stabilize the euro zone on Thursday, lifting the single currency and European stocks.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, delivering his sharpest criticism of China's exchange rate policies in months, said on Thursday the yuan's value was critically important for the world economy.

The European Central Bank, Germany's constitutional court and China's pension fund gave a triple boost to efforts to stabilize the euro zone on Thursday, lifting the single currency and European stocks.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday he didn't know whether American efforts to get China to change its exchange rate policies would produce results soon.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday that reform of China's exchange rate is critically important to the U.S. and global economies and a more flexible yuan was in China's interest.