US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is set to speak tomorrow, offering a key focus for investors before the government's jobs data are due at the end of the week.

Equities on both sides of the Atlantic moved lower before the Easter long weekend.

New Zealand shares hit another record high and turnover topped $500 million .

Wall Street gained overnight, after the US Federal Reserve flagged that there are fewer interest rate increases ahead this year than previously thought.

WATCH: On the latest extra episode of The Economy Hub, guest panelists Bernard Doyle and Aaron Quintal discuss markets rebound.

The New Zealand dollar is heading for a 1.7 per cent drop against the greenback

New Zealand shares hit a record high for a seventh straight session, though trading was quieter after Thursday's interest rate cut

Equities on both sides of the Atlantic moved lower after trade data renewed concerns about China's economy.

The terrorist group is making millions by funnelling dollars looted from banks into legitimate currency markets in the Middle East.

US Treasuries and Wall Street fell after a report showed American employers added more jobs than expected last month.

The latest data on US manufacturing, construction spending and car sales bolstered optimism about the outlook.

Veteran corporate raider Sir Ron Brierley has made a takeover offer for cashed-up retailer Kirkcaldie & Stains.

New Zealand shares were mixed, as Orion Health Group gained from a record low on news of a major US deal.

Mercedes-Benzoffers the S-Class sedan with a growing array of options such as carbon-fiber trim, heated and cooled cupholders and four types of caps for the tire valves, and the carmaker's robots can't keep up.

Both Brent and US crude dove and then recovered overnight, and equities sought direction.

NZX lifted annual profit 82 per cent in 2015 as the one-off gain from the sale of its Link Market Services division bolstered flat earnings.

The Dow Jones, Nasdaq and S&P 500 Index all gained overnight.

New Zealand shares rose, led by Auckland Airport and Chorus on their strong earnings reports.