(Reuters) -The Russian rouble rallied to its strongest level since June 2020 against the euro on Friday after an unexpected central bank rate cut, while stock indexes were mixed after the U.S. congress voted to ban Russian oil.

MILAN (Reuters) -France's Credit Agricole has become the single largest investor in Banco BPM after buying a 9.2% stake, raising the prospect of a full takeover bid and sending shares in Italy's third-largest lender sharply higher.

LONDON (Reuters) -The U.S. dollar index strengthened to 100 for the first time in nearly two years on Friday, supported by the prospect of a more aggressive pace of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

(Reuters) -The Russian rouble showed little reaction to an unexpected central bank rate cut on Friday, while stock indexes inched lower, weighed down by shares in oil companies which fell after the U.S. congress voted to ban Russian oil.

An advisory panel to Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki warned on Friday of a risk of a spike in interest payments on public debt and urged efforts to ensure sound fiscal policy to guard against the possibility of higher bond yields.

(Reuters) -European shares rallied on Friday to erase weekly losses, while investors focused on a tight race between far-right rival Marine Le Pen and incumbent Emmanuel Macron in the runup to the first round of French presidential elections over the weekend.