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Before The Bell

U.S. trade gap, Spain aid in the spotlight

Premarket news

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $50.1 billion in April, government data show.

In Europe, attention's focused on suggestions that the Spanish government could be on the verge of requesting outside aid for its banking sector as soon as this weekend. Spain to seek bailout?

Indications: Stock futures dip ahead of weekend, China data

U.S. stock futures remain mired at broadly lower levels, as disappointment over Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke's failure to deliver on expectations for further stimulus rippled through risk-oriented financial markets.Indications

Economic Report: Japan revises GDP up, but trade deficit widens

Japan's economy expanded at a faster pace than estimated in the January-to-March period from the preceding three months, revised figures by the government show.Economic Report: Japan in focus

Europe Markets: Europe stocks off on Spain cut, Fed disappointment

European stocks fall as markets tracked losses in Asia, in reaction to disappointing remarks from the Fed's Bernanke as well as a fresh downgrade of Spain. Europe Markets

London Markets: Resources pull U.K. stocks lower as oil tumbles

U.K. stocks trade lower as falling commodity prices weigh on resource stocks, while the broader market tracks the global losses. London Markets

Asia Markets: Asia stocks get hit after China rate cut, Fed

Asian shares skidded overnight after China's unexpected interest rate cut and ahead of this weekend's economic data. The data may draw attention to China's slowing growth trajectory.Asia Markets

Asia Stocks to Watch: China rate cut offers mixed blessing

China's decision to cut interest rates, as well as give individual banks more leeway in setting their own rates, is likely to weigh negatively on banks' profit margins but could help revive other parts of the economy facing a credit squeeze, analysts said. Asia Stocks to Watch: China rate cut in focus

Currencies: Dollar rises on no solid stimulus hint from Fed

The U.S. dollar gains ground in European trading hours.Currencies

Futures Movers: Crude oil tumbles as dollar rises; equities fall

Crude-oil prices tumble in electronic trading, with investors' risk appetite deteriorating as they await potentially pivotal Chinese economic data due over the weekend.Futures Movers

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