1. Shares in the US pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences fell after information leaked that their COVID-19 drug trial was a failure.

2. Australian satellite communications company Speedcast, whose predominant task is connecting cruise shops and oil rigs to internet and phone services, have filed for bankruptcy, leaving shareholders empty handed.

3. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called out the 'Big Four' banks in a phone call, after learning that banks have not been offering assistance to businesses in the wait ahead of Job Keeper payments, which are set to start in May. This has meant businesses have had to lay off staff because they couldn't afford to pay them in the bridging period before Job Keeper payments commence.

4. EU leaders agreed yesterday, Thursday, to revamp a long-term budget recovery plan to begin a rebuild post-coronavirus.

5. The Dow Jones closed on a high yesterday, up 0.17% to 23,515.26, the S&P 500 was down 0.054% to 2,797.80 and Nasdaq was down 0.0074% to 8,494.75.