US Stocks closed mixed Friday, ending another up week, as investors considered the Greek bailout package, reports of a naval conflict between North and South Korea and a weaker U.S. dollar.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) added a few points. The S&P 500 index (SPX) was little changed. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) lost a few points.
LONDON - European stock markets closed weaker on Friday, as market participants voiced caution over the implications of a deal to rescue debt-ridden Greece from its financial crisis.
The benchmark FTSE 100 index finished down 24.63 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 5,703.02 points.
FRANKFURT - The DAX 30 closed down 12.9 points, or 0.21 per cent, at 6,120.05 points.
PARIS - The CAC 40 closed down 11.55 points, or 0.29 per cent, at 3,988.93 points.
GOTHENBURG - Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding has sealed a $US1.8 billion ($A1.98 billion) deal to buy Volvo Cars as the Chinese company revved up global ambitions with what its head called a Swedish "tiger".
BEIJING - The Geely group, which has signed a deal to buy Volvo from US auto giant Ford, began as a refrigerator parts supplier but, in just two decades, has grown into one of China's largest private carmakers.
LONDON - British Airways cabin crew has entered the second day of a four-day strike, bringing further travel disruption with no end in sight for a dispute that has become increasingly political.
SHANGHAI - A Shanghai court is due to rule on Monday on bribery and commercial secrets charges against four employees of mining giant Rio Tinto - a case seen as a barometer of China's treatment of foreign business in a time of rising trade friction.
Oil prices ended lower on Friday, after weaker-than-expected US economic growth data overshadowed the impact of a rescue plan for debt-ridden Greece.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, dipped 53 US cents to settle at $US80.00 a barrel.
The Australian stock market has received mostly positive leads from offshore markets, with Wall Street finishing higher and precious and base metals prices firmer, although oil prices were weaker.
At 0700 AEDT, on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the June share price index contract was two points lower at 4,924 points.
GOLD up $11.40 to US$1,104.30 an ounce SILVER up 16.5c to US$ 16.906 an ounce COPPER up 2.25c at US$3.4030 a pound
