Turkey - Factors to Watch on April 16

Here are news, reports, and events that may affect Turkish financial markets on Friday. The lira traded at 8.0240 against the dollar at 0514 GMT, wakening slightly from a close of 8.0060 on Thursday.

The main BIST 100 share index fell 0.1% to 1.407,76 on Thursday. GLOBAL MARKETS

A batch of Chinese and U.S. economic data helped underpin global stocks near record highs on Friday, as investors priced in a solid global recovery from the coronavirus-induced slump. CRYPTOCURRENCIES

Turkey's central bank banned the use of cryptocurrencies and crypto-assets to purchase goods and services, a week after Turkish authorities demanded user information from trading platforms. TURKEY - GREECE

The foreign ministers of Turkey and Greece clashed openly on Thursday at a joint news conference in Ankara that began with hopes of improved relations but quickly descended into acrimonious accusations from both sides. CENTRAL BANK

Turkey's central bank held rates steady at 19% as expected on Thursday and dropped a pledge to tighten policy further if needed, in its first decision since President Tayyip Erdogan fired the hawkish former governor and sparked a market selloff. AFGHANISTAN TALKS

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday briefed his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Hanif Atmar on NATO discussions in which the allies agreed to withdraw their forces from Afghanistan by Sept. 11. NATO allies agreed with the withdrawal plan on Wednesday in coordination with a U.S. pull-out by Sept. 11 and pledged to mirror American plans to start removing troops on May 1 after two decades of war.

UKRAINE - RUSSIA CONFLICT Turkey is not picking a side in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and supports a diplomatic resolution of the issue, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday amid concerns over a Russian military build-up along Ukraine's border.

CORONAVIRUS CASES Turkey recorded 297 deaths due to COVID-19, data from the Health Ministry showed on Thursday, the highest daily number since the beginning of the pandemic, bringing the total toll to 35,031.

President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday announced several new restrictions and a "partial closure" for the first two weeks of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to curb the surge in cases. For other related news, double click on:

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