In European Equity Markets the pan-European STOXX 600 closed flat, while sectors ended the day mostly lower. Major bourses showed a mixed picture by the close. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 closed up 0.54 percent, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.39 percent. Germany’s DAX, however, closed down 0.21 percent. Tech firm Ericsson reported smaller-than-expected losses during the first three months of the year. Shares consequently finished at the top of Europe’s benchmarks, jumping 17.5 percent on the news. Reckitt Benckiser shares pared some of its losses, closing down 2.78 percent after its sales growth missed estimates for its first quarter.

In Currency Markets sterling fell half a percent to a fresh two-week low against the dollar on Friday after Bank of England Governor Mark Carney signaled that the central bank may not raise interest rates in May because economic data was “mixed”. The pound fell 0.5 percent to a day’s low of $1.4008, its lowest since April 6, as broad dollar strength kept the pound under pressure in late European trading. On Thursday, sterling slid close to 1 percent and the British currency is now down 1.5 percent this week, barely holding on to gains for April, which is normally a strong month for the pound. Against the euro, however, sterling recovered on Friday as the single currency suffered losses across the board.

In Commodities Markets oil prices fell on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized OPEC and said oil prices were artificially high, but they were still set for a weekly gain. Brent crude oil futures were at $73.01 per barrel, down 77 cents from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 56 cents at $67.73 a barrel. Brent and WTI hit their highest levels since November 2014 earlier this week, at $74.75 and $69.56 per barrel respectively, buoyed by a tightening market, higher demand and geopolitical risks. OPEC and its allies are curbing oil production until the end of the year, helping push up prices.

In US Equity Markets indexes fell on Friday, with Apple leading declines in the technology sector and as energy companies took a hit from lower oil prices after President Donald Trump’s criticism on OPEC. Apple fell 3.4 percent and was the biggest drag on the major indexes. Morgan Stanley estimated weak demand for its latest iPhones, adding to fears raised by Taiwan Semiconductor of softer smartphone sales. The S&P energy index fell 1 percent, while the technology index was weak for the third session in a row, falling 1.4 percent. The S&P 500 was down 0.77 percent, at 2,672.39 and the Nasdaq Composite wass down 1.05 percent, at 7,162.05.

In Bond Markets German government bond yields were set for their biggest weekly rise since the beginning of February after a surge in oil prices forced inflation expectations and euro zone bond yields higher. Euro zone bond yields hit fresh highs on Friday and are now well above their levels at the start of the week after a sharp sell-off prompted by Brent crude prices hitting their highest in more than three years at $74.75 a barrel on Thursday. The yield on Germany’s 10-year government bond, the benchmark for the region, hit a five-week high of 0.613 percent and is about 10 basis points (bps) higher this week, having fallen in seven of the past 10 weeks.