US consumer prices rose by 0.2pct in January and the core measure (excludes food and energy) also rose 0.2pct. The leading index rose by 0.4pct in January, just short of forecasts.

The Austrian finance minister Maria Fekter said that Euro zone are poised to approve a bailout package for Greece on Monday.

China´s central bank said on Saturday it would cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for banks by 50 basis points, effective from February 24.

European shares rose on Friday on optimism that a Greek bailout deal would be completed. Shares in French lenders surged with Societe Generale up 6.5pct. The FTSEurofirst index rose by 0.6pct, to be up 1.8pct over the week. The UK FTSE was up 0.3pct on Friday and the German Dax lifted by 1.4pct.

US sharemarkets rose on Friday as investors remained hopeful that a Greek bailout deal would be completed on Monday. Earnings continue to support markets with 64pct of S&P 500 companies beating expectations. The Dow Jones rose by 45 points or 0.4pct with the S&P 500 up by 0.2pct but the Nasdaq eased 8pts or 0.3pct. Over the week the Dow Jones index rose 1.2pct with the S&P 500 up 1.4pct and the Nasdaq rose by 1.7pct.

US long-term treasury prices fell on Friday (yields higher) as equities markets became more confident about a Greek bailout deal and US inflation rose. US 2yr yields were flat at 0.294pct and US 10yr yields rose by 2pts to 2.00pct. Over the week US 2yr yields rose by 1.6pts with US 10yr yields up 2.6pts.

Major currencies were mixed against the greenback in European and US trade on Friday. The Euro held between US$1.3115 and US$1.3200, and closed US trade at US$1.3145. The Aussie dollar eased from highs around US107.85c to near US106.85c, and closed US trade around US107.10c. And the Japanese yen eased from 78.97 yen per US dollar to JPY79.50 and was near JPY79.47 in late US trade. In early trade this morning the Euro was at US$1.3170, the Aussie at US107.75c and the Japanese yen at JPY79.50.

Benchmark crude oil prices were mixed on Friday. Investors took profits on the Brent price but Nymex took its cue from rising confidence levels on equities markets. US Nymex oil rose by US93c or 0.9pct to US$103.24 a barrel while London Brent crude fell by US53c to US$119.58 a barrel. Over the week Brent rose by 1.9pct while Nymex soared by 4.6pct.

Base metal prices were mixed on Friday. Lead rose 1.5pct and aluminium gained 0.2pct but other metals lost between 1.4-2.3pct. Over the week metals fell between 3.4-6.8pct. And the gold price fell slightly as investors became more optimistic about a Greek bailout deal. The Comex April gold fell by US$2.50 to US$1,725.90 an ounce but was up US60c on the week.

Ahead: In Australia, the CBA Business Sales index is released together with data on imports. Amcor, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Bluescope Steel and Lend Lease are amongst those reporting earnings. In the US, markets are closed for Presidents Day holiday.