Currencies
US close: Markets slip after FOMC decision, Apple weighs on indices
Stocks slipped after the US central bank's decision to raise rates for a seventh time, dragged lower by a drop in Apple shares even as Treasury note yields fell back.
FOMC raises rates, two more hikes still seen in 2018
The US central bank tightened policy on Thursday, as expected, amid a modest upwards shift in policymakers' own expectations for the path of official interest rates in 2019 and 2020.
Bonds: 'Bull steepening' in Treasury yield curve after March FOMC
These were the movements in some of the most-widely followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 88% (-1bp) UK: 1. 53% (+4bp) Germany: 0. 59% (+1bp) France: 0. 83% (+0bp) Spain: 1. 34% (+3bp) Italy: 1. 93% (+4bp) Portugal: 1. 76% (+3bp) Greece: 4. 22% (+3bp) Japan: 0. 04% (+0bp).
March US FOMC - Analysts react
"We have long anticipated that the Fed would need to raise rates more rapidly over the next few years, a view now shared by Fed officials and other forecasters. What stands out now are our medium-term bearish views. Once the fiscal boost fades and job growth slows, we expect economic growth will fall below trend, prompting the Fed to begin cutting rates again in 2020, a strongly non-consensus call. " - Michael Pearce, Capital Economics.
FX round-up: Cable moving back towards post-referendum highs after FOMC
The US dollar fell back sharply in the wake of the Federal Reserve's policy announcement, despite what some observers described as a more hawkish bias in the macroeconomic projections that the central bank published alongside chair Jerome Powell's press briefing.
Tech giants face higher taxes under new European Commission plans
Big technology companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon are facing an estimated $5bn increase in their tax-bill under new plans unveiled by the European Commission.
Spain seeks assurances on Gibraltar before endorsing transition deal
The European Union’s plans to endorse a post-Brexit transition agreement may have encountered a last-minute stumbling block after Spain demanded the deal not undermine it in its talks with Gibraltar.
US existing home sales rise more than expected in February
Sales of US existing homes rose more than expected in February, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
Trump 'fuming' after leak reveals his Putin congratulation blunder
US President Donald Trump was infuriated on Tuesday night by the leaking of his decision to ignore a recommendation from his national security advisers not to congratulate Vladimir Putin during a phone call.
US current account deficit widens to 2.6% of GDP at the end of 2017
America's cumulative shortfall on its so-called current transactions with the rest of the world widened at the end of last year.
Salesforce acquires API specialist Mulesoft for $6.5bn
Enterprise cloud software services provider Salesforce agreed to acquire smaller rival Mulesoft for $6. 5bn overnight.
Beeks enters cryptocurrency market with billionaire Winklevoss twins
Cloud computing and connectivity provider Beeks Financial Cloud has agreed to enter the cryptocurrency market through collaboration with Gemini Trust Company, a cryptocurrency exchange owned by bitcoin billionaires Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.