Finance news you need to know today

TAIWANESE electronics giant Foxconn, maker of Apple iPhones, has announced it’s in talks with the US government to boost investment there.

Workers inside a Foxconn factory in China. Picture: Reuters

HERE are nine things making news in business and finance today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian market looks set to open flat, following negative performances on international markets in the previous session. At 0704 AEST on Monday, the share price futures index was up two points at 5,915.

2. SYDNEY — Meanwhile, the Australian dollar is unchanged against its US counterpart. The local currency was trading at 74.74 US cents at 0704 AEST on Monday, unchanged from Friday.

3. WASHINGTON — Top Capitol Hill negotiators are reporting progress toward a long- sought agreement on a massive $US1 trillion ($A1.3 trillion)-plus spending bill that would fund the day-to-day operations of virtually every federal agency through October 1.

4. WASHINGTON — The US economy turned in the weakest performance in three years in the January-March quarter as consumers sharply slowed their spending. The result underscores the challenge facing President Donald Trump in achieving his ambitious economic growth targets.

5. BEIJING — Growth in China’s manufacturing sector slowed faster than expected in April, as producer price rises lost steam and authorities moved to tackle risks in the property market and credit growth.

6. MOSCOW — Russia expects economic growth of about two per cent for 2017, a reversal after years of recession, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov has told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

7. BRUSSELS — European Union leaders have endorsed stiff divorce terms for Britain and warned Britons to have “no illusions” about swiftly securing a new relationship to keep their access to EU markets.

8. LONDON — Rupert Murdoch’s bid to take full control of Sky will come under fresh scrutiny with an influential group of politicians to meet with Britain’s Office of Communications to express opposition to the tycoon’s latest takeover attempt.

9. TAIPEI — Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn, maker of Apple iPhones, has announced it’s in talks with the United States government to boost investment there.