In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up 0.14 percent, with most major bourses negative and sectors mixed. Bank stocks were among the worst performers, down 0.76 percent. European finance ministers struck a deal for risk reduction in the continental banking system. Italian lender Banco BPM was the worst performer in the sector, down 7.34 percent. Europe’s travel and leisure stocks led the gains Friday lunchtime, up more than 1 percent amid earnings news. British gambling firm GVC Holdings forecast higher cost synergies following its £4 billion ($5.4 billion) acquisition of bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral late last year. Shares rose more than 4 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar rose against a basket of peers on Wednesday, to its highest since mid November, helped by gains against commodity-linked currencies, as oil prices fell after Saudi Arabia and Russia said they were ready to ease supply curbs that have supported boosted crude prices. The dollar index was up 0.44 percent at 94.167, after hitting a high of 94.241, its strongest since mid-November. The index has logged weekly gains in five of the last six weeks. The U.S. dollar was 0.62-percent higher against the Canadian dollar, a more than two-week high. The Australian dollar was 0.25 percent lower against the greenback.

In Commodities Markets oil prices fell more than 2 percent on Friday as Saudi Arabia and Russia said they were ready to ease supply curbs that have pushed crude prices to their highest since 2014. The energy ministers of the two major producers met in the Russian city of St. Petersburg to review the terms of the global oil supply pact that has been in place for 17 months, ahead of a key OPEC meeting in Vienna next month. Brent crude futures were down $1.77 at $77.02 a barrel, having hit their highest since late 2014 at $80.50 this month. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $68.84 a barrel, down $1.87.

In US Equity Markets the S&P 500 index and the Dow fell marginally on Friday as a steep decline in oil prices weighed on energy stocks, with losses limited by gains in chip-makers and healthcare shares. The S&P 500 was down 0.17 percent, at 2,723.18 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.24 percent, at 7,442.57. BioMarin Pharmaceutical rose 4.5 percent after receiving FDA approval for its drug to treat a rare metabolic disorder and propping up the Nasdaq Biotech index. A 13.3 percent jump in shares of Foot Locker boosted the consumer discretionary index after the company reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, lifting shares in Nike which has a partnership with the footwear retailer.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields fell to their lowest level in three weeks on Friday as concerns about Italy’s new government and a leadership challenge in Spain boosted demand for low-risk debt. The 10-year notes were last up 12/32 in price to yield 2.93 percent, down from 2.98 percent on Thursday. Month-end demand was also seen as boosting bonds. The bond market will close early on Friday at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) and close on Monday for the U.S. Memorial Day holiday.