ROME (Reuters) -Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo confirmed its 2022 forecast on Thursday, saying it was well-positioned for increased military spending, after reporting a first-quarter rise in orders and core profit.

Colombia swapped internal public debt worth 2.6 trillion pesos ($641 million) in April, the second such operation this year and part of an effort to reduce amortizations and improve the country's debt profile, its finance ministry said on Thursday.

Oil prices steadied near $110 a barrel on Thursday as a stronger dollar and a drop in global stock markets offset supply concerns after the European Union laid out plans for new sanctions against Russia including an embargo on crude in six months.

Italy's aerospace and defence group Leonardo said it confirmed its 2022 guidance after posting a rise in orders and core profits in the first three months of the year.

The Nasdaq plunged 4.6% and the other major indexes tumbled on Thursday, as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's less hawkish tone failed to ease investor expectations of bigger interest rate hikes this year.

Wind turbine makers racked up hefty losses last quarter, swelled by rocketing costs and cut-throat competition despite being more in demand than ever.