Finance news you need to know today

AEROSPACE giant Airbus plans to test a prototype for a self-piloted flying car as a way of avoiding gridlock on city roads by the end of the year.

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

1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar is flat as risk aversion offset positive China data. The local currency was trading at 74.75 US cents at 0650 AEDT on Tuesday, down a touch from 74.77 cents on Monday.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian share market is set to open lower following falls in European and Asian shares amid risk aversion in the lead up to Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president and uncertainty over the British departure from the EU At 0650 AEDT on Monday, the local SPI 200 futures contract was down nine points at 5,694 points.

3. BRUSSELS — Germany’s Foreign Minister says comments by US President-elect Donald Trump that NATO was obsolete has aroused concern across the 28-member alliance.

4. LONDON — British Prime Minister Theresa May is to appear in the April edition of US fashion magazine Vogue.

5. BERLIN — New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English will aim to begin talks on a free trade deal with the European Union as soon as possible after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who endorsed the idea.

6. BELFAST — Britain’s Northern Ireland minister has called an early election for March 2 following the collapse of the region’s power-sharing government.

7. MUNICH — Aerospace giant Airbus plans to test a prototype for a self-piloted flying car as a way of avoiding gridlock on city roads by the end of the year.