Finance news you need to know today

FEDERAL Reserve policymakers may raise interest rates again “fairly soon” should jobs and inflation data come in line with expectations.

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

1. SYDNEY — The Australian market looks set to open lower after Wall Street has a lacklustre day, with only the Dow Jones Industrial Average in positive territory in late trading At 0700 AEDT on Thursday, the share price futures index was up down 15 points at 5,57,55 points.

2. SYDNEY — Meanwhile, the Australian dollar has jumped back above 77 US cents. The local currency was trading at 77.10 US cents at 0700 AEDT on Thursday, from 76.91 on Wednesday.

3. WASHINGTON — Many Federal Reserve policymakers say it may be appropriate to raise interest rates again “fairly soon” should jobs and inflation data come in line with expectations, according to the minutes of the Fed’s last policy meeting.

4. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to make the US government leaner and more accountable ahead of a meeting with key administration officials to discuss the federal budget.

5. LONDON — Britain’s economy picked up speed in the final three months of last year, boosted by a rise in manufacturing output.