Chemicals maker Dow Inc reported a higher first-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by stronger product prices as supplies remained tight amid robust demand.

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices rose on Thursday as concerns about supply as the European Union (EU) mulls a potential ban on Russian oil imports, days after diminished supplies from Libya rocked the market.

Bond yields resumed their rise on Thursday as investor bet on aggressive global interest rate hikes, while the euro climbed after a heated TV debate saw French President Emmanuel Macron bolster his weekend re-election hopes.

BOAO, China (Reuters) -A prolonged slowdown in China would have substantial global spillovers, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday, but added that Beijing has room to adjust policy to provide support.

PARIS (Reuters) -Shares in Carrefour fell nearly 4% on Thursday after Europe's largest food retailer reported first-quarter sales that showed a lacklustre performance in its core French market, overshadowing more robust growth in Brazil.

The euro perked up to a one-week high on Thursday as market expectations solidified for a first interest rate hike from the European Central Bank as early as July.